Overview
Our curriculum intent is focused on our resourcing and schedule of topics so that we observe the Siams requirements in teaching Christianity and world faiths. We maintain outstanding progress at each key stage by training KS3 in the exam format they will answer at GCSE, laying the foundations for their future examination. The real focus here is supporting evidence as well as explanation and linking ideas. This is so they can write question focused written work that shows their knowledge of the course content as well as their interrogation skills. We support students through in-class intervention and REP Watch, in effect monitoring students in class who lack confidence and need further encouragement and guidance. This is achieved through the use of summary booklets and content are broken down in teacher presentations so students are clear what the essential content they must learn is. We organise the Philosophy Society which is largely run by students and we discuss issues such as happiness, the art of living well and Art: Do we need artists, is it an unnecessary luxury?
Key Stage 4 GCSE. Years 10-11
KS4 RELIGION, ETHICS AND PHILOSOPHY (REP)
Course Content
REP is about learning about and learning from religions. In Year 9, students study the REP GCSE, Christian and Muslim beliefs and practices – this forms the foundation for Year 10 GCSE thematic course on topics such as Religion and Life covering abortion and animal rights and Peace and Conflict – analysing Just War theory and Lesser Jihad.
REP lessons: 3 lessons per week in Year 9 and 2 lessons per week in Year 10
YEAR 9: RELIGIOUS TEACHINGS AND PRACTICES
The following four units are studied; Christianity: Beliefs and Teachings, Christianity: Practices, Islam: Beliefs and Teachings, Islam: Practices. These topics address each faith thoroughly providing a platform for the second year of the GCSE.
YEAR 10: RELIGIOUS, PHILOSOPHICAL AND ETHICAL STUDIES
The following four units are studied; Religion, Peace and Conflict; Religion, Human Rights and Social Justice; Religion and Life, Relationships and families. Each topic is considered from Christian and Muslim viewpoints, drawing upon the year 9 study.
Year 11 REP Day
In Year 11 students will take part in a REP day in which they will be able to discuss philosophical and ethical issues. Students follow a carousel and are introduced to different elements of the A-Level course including Christianity and Gender and ethical theories regarding animal rights and arguments for the existence of God.
Exam Board – AQA
Final Grade – Grades 1-9
Structure of Assessment
100% of the final GCSE grade. Final written exam x 2
Key Stage 5 A Level. Years 12-13
Examination Board: AQA
Link to Specification: Click here.
Course Content
Students will complete the linear specification, studying one Religion in-depth and then apply this knowledge to the study of Philosophy and Ethics.
COMPONENT 1: PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION AND ETHICS
Section A: Philosophy
Arguments for the existence of God
Evil and suffering.
Religious experience.
Philosophy and Language
Philosophy and Miracles
Philosophy of Life and Death
Section B: Ethics
Ethical theories.
Issues of human life and death.
Issues of animal life and death.
Introduction to meta-ethics.
Free will and moral responsibility.
Conscience.
Bentham and Kant.
COMPONENT 2: STUDY OF RELIGION AND DIALOGUES
Section A: Study of religion – For each faith option (2A–2E) the following topics are covered:
Sources of wisdom and authority.
God/gods/ultimate reality.
Self, death and the afterlife.
Good conduct and key moral principles.
Expression of religious identity.
Religion and Sexuality
Religious Pluralism
Science and Religion
Religion and secularisation.
How it’s assessed
Written exam:
Philosophy and Ethics = 3 hours (100 Marks)
Christianity – 3 Hours (100 Marks)
Questions
Section A: Study of religion – two compulsory two-part questions, each worth 10 marks and 15 marks relating to the religion chosen. Questions may be set that span more than one topic. In each two-part question, the first part tests AO1 and the second part tests AO2.
Section B: The dialogue between philosophy of religion and religion – one unstructured synoptic question from a choice of two (25 marks).
Section C: The dialogue between ethical studies and religion – one unstructured synoptic question from a choice of two (25 marks)
Skills Gained from Taking this Course
Develop analytical and communication skills enabling you to be persuasive and critical.
Learn how to formulate a convincing argument.
You will be taught how to write A Level standard essays.
Critically analyse source material.
Be confident with your ideas and think logically.
St Marylebone Entry Requirements
To gain entry into the sixth form at St Marylebone School, students must gain a minimum of five 9-6 grades at GCSE and a 5 grade in English and Maths GCSE.
Subject Specific Entry Requirements
Grade 6 in English Language GCSE. RS at GCSE is not essential.
Entry Suggestions
Students need to be able to write long essays in a short amount of time. So whilst we do not ask for RS GCSE (as this is not necessary) they will realistically need to be looking at a B or more in English to be successful.
Beyond that students should have an open mind and an ability to take part in debate and discussion on a range of issues.
If you are made an offer, you will be expected to complete the following before your first lesson in September:
Read any of the following books:
Peter Vardy: The Thinkers Guide to God and The Thinkers Guide to Evil
Peter Vardy: The Puzzle of Ethics and/or the Puzzle of God
Peter Vardy: God Matters or Ethics Matters
Richard Dawkins: The God Delusion
Nigel Warburton: Philosophy the Basics
Christopher Hitchins: God is not great
Peter Singer: Practical Ethics
Karen Armstrong: A History of God
Create a project booklet on Christianity using http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/
Cover all of the sections available here.
Resources Needed for this Course:
No specific textbook required.
