Religious Studies GCSE - AQA

From Y9 onwards, a multi-faith GCSE course is followed by every student which is suitable for boys of any faith (or none). 

Candidates are required to answer questions on the beliefs, teachings and practices of Christianity and Hinduism and then on four philosophy and ethics units from the Christian perspective. The philosophy and ethics unit titles include: Relationships and Families, Religion and Life, The Existence of God and Revelation and Religion, Peace and Conflict. In total, the GCSE will comprise of two 1hr 45 examinations and no coursework is involved.

For each religion studied candidates will be expected to have: investigated the influence of religious beliefs, values and traditions; to have developed the ability to make reasoned and informed judgments about religious and ethical issues; and to have identified, investigated and responded to the fundamental questions of life raised by the religions studied.

The GCSE course prepares pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life and gives excellent preparation for the A-level course in Philosophy.

Students take part in Sutton Schools Inter Faith ‘Question Time’ enrichment workshop where pupils work with students from other local schools to create meaningful questions which they put forward to a panel of religious representatives.

GCSE Course 

AQA Religious Studies A full course syllabus.

A single multi-faith course is taught that is suitable for boys of any faith (or none). All students follow the AQA Religious Studies A (Beliefs, Teachings and Practices and Thematic Studies) full course syllabus, which they start at the beginning of Y9. Paper 1 (Beliefs, Teachings and Practices) is studied from the perspective of Christianity and Hinduism and Paper 2 (Thematic Studies) is studied from the perspective of Christianity. The Thematic Studies topics are as follows:  Relationships and Families, Religion and Life, The Existence of God and Revelation and Religion, Peace and Conflict.

Both Paper 1 and Paper 2 are 1 hour 45 minute examinations and no coursework is involved.

For each religion studied candidates will be expected to: have investigated the influence of religious beliefs, values and traditions; to have developed the ability to make reasoned and informed judgements about religious and, where appropriate, other responses to ethical issues; and to have identified, investigated and be able to respond to the fundamental questions of life raised by the religions studied. The work studied in Year 9 is part of this course and with two periods per fortnight in Year 10 and three periods per fortnight in Year 11 we can easily cover the required number of units. This course also gives excellent preparation for the A-level course in Philosophy.