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Religious Studies

We are what we repeatedly do; excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.

Aristotle

Philosophy of the department

By teaching students about the six main faiths in the world, with a focus on what we can learn from these faiths, we provide students the opportunity to consider the deeper questions about meaning and purpose in life, such as ‘Why is there something, rather than nothing?’ and ‘Why am I here?’. Giving students the arena to develop their opinions, allows us to contribute to their spiritual, moral and personal development, in addition to developing academic skills such as balanced evaluations, critical awareness and the ability to understand and to empathise with the beliefs and experiences of others.

What we expect from our students

Students do not have to be religious to study this subject. However, they should be open-minded and interested in reflecting on their own experiences of faith, as well as those of others. A willingness to think about their own opinions and an ability to respect the views of others will allow students to grow up with tolerance, understanding, as well as an appreciation of their own beliefs.

Your teachers will assist your general learning, allowing you to become life-long learners, but knowledge and wisdom can be achieved only by your own reflection and consideration of what you have learned.

Teachers are committed to the learning of their students, enabling them to attain and even exceed their minimum expectations. We are rigorous in our planning and have a vast amount of experience and expertise within the team. We implement different teaching strategies in our lessons to provide students with challenging objectives, a variety of choice and assessment, including collaborative tasks and debating opportunities.

Contact name: MRS S Heaton

SH@lpgs.bromley.sch.uk

Key Stage 3

At the start of Year 7, students will spend some time examining their own beliefs and the beliefs, if any of their peers. This allows for important interaction and dialogue about the need to learn Religious Studies. In a respectful manner, students will explore key difference and similarities between them including their morals, values and traditions. The students will then go on to consider contemporary moral, ethical and philosophical issues such as the existence of God, the problem of evil and suffering, prejudice and discrimination, animal rights and crime and punishment. 

 

Year group Autumn  Spring Summer
7

Who am I?
Exploration of personal and religious identity
 

Who is God?
Religious beliefs about the nature of God

The problem of evil and suffering
Evaluating the role of God and the challenge of Evil and Suffering

8

Proof of God
Investigating philosophical evidence for the existence of God

Life after death
What happens after death?
Approaches to death and the afterlife

Crime and punishment
Moral and religious issues related to the issue of crime and punishment

9

How do we make moral decisions?
Exploration of ethical theories

Prejudice and discrimination 
Moral and religious attitude to Sexism

Animal rights
Moral and religious issues related to the use and abuse of animals

 

Key Stage 4: GCSE Religious Studies

Students will be challenged with questions about belief, values, meaning, purpose and truth, enabling them to develop their own undertanding of religious and ethical issues. They will develop analytical and critical evaluation skills, the ability to work with abstract ideas, leadership and research skills. All these skills will help prepare them for further study and life beyond LPGS. 

PAPER ONE: Component 1: The study of religion

What's assessed 

Beliefs, teachings and practices of two religions: Christianity and Islam

How it's assessed

  • Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes
  • 96 marks, plus 6 marks for spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPaG) 
  • 50% of GCSE

 

PAPER TWO: Component 2: Thematic studies

What's assessed

Four religious, philosophical and ethical studies themes:

  • Theme A: Relationships and families.
  • Theme B: Religion and life.
  • Theme C: Peace and conflict.
  • Theme D: Crime and punishment.

How it's assessed

  • Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes
  • 96 marks, plus 3 marks for spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPaG)
  • 50% of GCSE

 

Support material:

AQA GCSE Religious Studies A: Christianity

  • Authors: Cynthia Bartlett (series editor), Marianne Fleming, Peter Smith, David Worden
  • Publisher: Oxford University Press
  • ISBN-13: 978-0-19-837033-8
  • Price: £17.99
  • Publication date: April 2016 AQA

 

GCSE Religious Studies A: Islam

  • Authors: Cynthia Bartlett (series editor), Marianne Fleming, Peter Smith, David Worden
  • Publisher: Oxford University Press
  • ISBN-13: 978-0-19-837034-5
  • Price: £17.99
  • Publication date: June 2016

Key Stage 5: A Level Religious Studies

Description of Course

All learners will study two components;

Component 1: Philosophy of Religion and Religions Ethics

Section A - Philosophy of religion and ethics

  • Arguments for the existence of God
  • Evil and suffering
  • Religious experience
  • Religious language
  • Miracles
  • Self and life after death

Section B - Ethics and religion - Ethical theories:

  • Issues of human life and death
  • Issues of animal life and death
  • Introduction to meta ethics
  • Free will and moral responsibility
  • Bentham and Kant

Component 2: Religion and Dialogues
Section A - Study of religion with Christianity as the main focus
Section B - The dialogue between philosophy of religion and religion
Section C - The dialogue between ethical studies and religion

Skills Required

You will have to develop skills in essay writing, analysis, dealing with large amounts of material and selecting relevant information, and discussion.

Entry Qualifications

The AQA A-Level in Religious Studies will build on the knowledge, understanding and skills established at GCSE. Learners will be introduced to a more advanced, complex approach to Religious Studies, and will develop a deeper understanding of the beliefs, teachings and philosophy they study. It does not require any previous study of RS at GCSE, but it does provide a good foundation. Vital requirements are an enquiring mind and a grade 6 or higher in English Language.

Method of Assessment

There will be two 3 hour written papers at the end of Year 13. Each examination will assess one of the two components. Each paper is 50% of the final A-Level.

Component 1:

Philosophy of Religion: Students will study philosophical issues and questions raised by religion and belief. They will also explore philosophical language and thought, and the works of key thinkers, as illustrated in issues or debates in the philosophy of religion.

Religion and Ethics: Topics include normative ethical theories and key ethical concepts, as well as developments in the way these ideas are applied to significant issues in religion and belief. These will be illustrated in issues or debates in religion and ethics, and also by the application of ethical theory to current moral issues.

 

Component 2

Religion and Dialogue: This unit provides an opportunity for the systematic study of one religious tradition (Christianity). This will include exploration of religious beliefs, values and teachings, sources of wisdom and authority. It will also include religious practices and the different ways in which these are expressed in the lives of individual, communities and societies.

Educational Progression and Career Opportunities

In the world of work employers look for someone with an enquiring mind, an appreciation of different viewpoints, an ability to come to clear, balanced decisions. These skills all develop through RS. If you want to work with people, in caring work, teaching, journalism, publishing, policing, with children, health, catering, leisure and tourism or to work abroad in a cosmopolitan setting, RS will give you plenty to think about, and valuable expertise.

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