Religious Studies

AQA Religious Studies GCSE: (Specification A – 8062)

All Lower School pupils embark upon this two-year course.

The aim of the course is to:

develop pupils’ knowledge and understanding of religions and non-religious beliefs provide opportunities for pupils to engage with questions of belief, value, meaning, purpose, truth, and their impact on human life challenge pupils to reflect on and develop their own values, beliefs and attitudes in the light of what they have learnt and contribute to their preparation for adult life in a pluralistic society and global community.

The course requires pupils to:

demonstrate knowledge and understanding of two religions; Christianity and Islam

demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key sources of wisdom and authority including texts which support contemporary religious faith understand the impact of religion on individuals, communities and societies understand significant common and divergent views between and within religions and belief apply knowledge and understanding in order to analyse questions related to religious beliefs and values construct well-informed and balanced arguments on matters concerned with religious beliefs and values. The mode of assessment is by exams at the end of the two years of the course. There are two papers:

Beliefs and Practices in two religions (Christianity and Islam–1 hour 45 minutes)

Thematic studies (1 hour 45 minutes) including: • Religion and life issues • The existence of God and revelation • Religion, peace and conflict • Religion, crime and punishment.