Religious Studies

Departmental approach to the curriculum

Rickmansworth School follows the LEA Syllabus. 

The statutory requirements have evolved from the previous established syllabus, taking into account national changes and developments, both in RE and in education in general. This revised syllabus moves from the two Attainment Targets to new concise aims. It reflects the national move from levels of assessment and introduces wheels of progress and clear end of key stage learning outcomes to support the assessment of a specified eight key areas of religion. We trust that you will find both the continuity and the progression helpful for consolidating and enhancing the quality of religious education provision in our School.

Throughout each year the students are assessed on their application of knowledge through the demonstration of the following skills:

  • Knowledge and understanding
  • Impact of beliefs on the individual and society. 
  • Use of subject specific terms
  • Reference to the value of sources of wisdom
  • The justification of formulated judgements
  • The presentation and evaluation of alternative views

Statutory Religious Education Provision

  Number of Hours Required Per Academic Year  How are we achieving this?
Key Stage 3 38 Hours Taught in lessons: 1 hour per week
Key Stage 4 - Year 10  30 Hours

6 Religious Education Days

Key Stage 4 - Year 11 30 Hours

4 Religious Education Days

Key Stage 5 - Year 12 10 Hours

Thinking Thursday - Ethical and Philosophical Debate - weekly Form Time Activity

Key Stage 4 - Year 13 10 Hours Thinking Thursday - Ethical and Philosophical Debate - weekly Form Time Activity

 

 

 

KS3 Religious Studies

The three year Key Stage 3 lays the foundation in core knowledge and skills students need in order to progress successfully into the religious studies GCSE course.

For full details what is covered under the Hertfordshire Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education see the Long Term Curriculum Overviews.

GCSE - Year 10 and 11

 

Religious Studies GCSE- AQA Specification A: Christianity and Islam

Overview 

GCSE (Full Course) Religious Studies offers students the opportunity to develop their thinking and consider answers to fundamental questions about God, life, religion and the world. The subject is suitable for all candidates, regardless of religious persuasion. This GCSE encourages students to develop their interest and enthusiasm for the academic study of religion and its effect on local, national and global communities. Students will also develop their knowledge and understanding of religion by exploring the impact of beliefs, teachings, practices, ways of life and forms of expressing faith. In addition, students will learn to express their personal responses and formulate informed judgements for questions about identity, belonging, meaning, purpose, truth, personal values and commitments. This GCSE encourages students to question the world in which we live through developing critical awareness and analytical skills essential for further and higher education.

You will sit two 1 hour 45 minute examinations at the end of Year 11.

 

Paper 1: Religions

Christianity: Beliefs
Christianity: Practices
Islam: Beliefs
Islam: Practices

Paper 2: Thematic Studies

Relationships and Families
Religion and Life
Existence of God and Revelation
Religion and Human Rights 

A Level - Year 12 and 13

A-Level Religious Studies: OCR Philosophy, Ethics and Christianity

 

  1. Course Description: A-Level Religious Studies gives students an opportunity to investigate, analyse and evaluate some of the more challenging ultimate questions that have arisen throughout history.

    Paper 1: Philosophy of Religion

Questions explored include Is there a God? Why is there evil in the world? and Is there a soul?

    Paper 2: Religion and Ethics

On the Ethics paper students have an opportunity to understand and debate big ethical questions such as Is there an ultimate right or wrong? Should euthanasia be legalised? and Should there be rules about how people conduct their private relationships?

    Paper 3: Developments in Christian Thought

And in the Christianity paper questions to be explored include How can Jesus be fully divine and full human? Is Christianity sexist? and Is Christianity compatible with a pluralist view in society?

The A-Level builds on the knowledge and understanding of religion and evaluative skills from GCSE, although is suitable for students who have not studied the GCSE in Religious Studies but have an inquisitive nature.

A-Level Religious Studies involves writing detailed analytical essays, so you must be someone who enjoys writing as well as debating. 

The course links to many other subjects including Sociology, Psychology, History, Politics, English, Business, Economics and Maths

 

 

KS4 Core Religious Studies

 

 

Year 10 Overview

The Year 10 Core RE will be a course in which students develop their awareness of the philosophical and ethical issues that are both historically significant and currently contentious. As part of the scheme for learning, students will engage with topics such as the value of religion in society, arguments for the existence or non-existence of God and why some believe evil and suffering to be the biggest challenge to believing in God. Through this course students  will develop a range of skills including, but not limited to, critical thinking, informed decision making and evaluating the credibility of alternative points of view.


Year 11 Overview

The Year 11 Core RE will be a course in which students develop their awareness of the philosophical and ethical issues that are both historically significant and currently contentious. As part of the scheme for learning, students will engage with topics such as the rights of the foetus vs the rights of the mother,  an evaluation of different types of truth and how religious believers arrive at truth claims such as ‘God Exists’ and why changing attitudes towards relationships remain a topic of contention. Through this course students  will develop a range of skills including, but not limited to, critical thinking, informed decision making and evaluating the credibility of alternative points of view.

 

KS5 Core Religious Studies

Year 12 and 13 Overview

The Year 12 Core RE will be a course in which students develop their awareness of the philosophical and ethical issues that are significant in the 21 Century. 

Long Term Curriculum Overviews

Currently being Updated for 2023-24

'The Big Picture' Curriculum Map

'The Big Picture' Curriculum Map

Currently being updated for 2023-24

Helpful websites and further information

Careers in Religious Studies and Religious Education

Theology UK poster