Get Better Results GCSE Religious Studies 2009 Spring 08

Get Better Results GCSE Religious Studies 2009 Spring 08

Religious Studies under the spotlight – why change? Importance of Religious Studies in the 21 st Century Students explore fundamental questions investigate current issues develop their own values, opinions and attitudes What is bringing about these changes? QCA New subject criteria More emphasis on evaluation Current issues Assessment objectives How will this impact on Religious Studies and Religious Studies teachers? You need a specification that meets QCA needs whilst allowing you to teach to a diverse range of interests and abilities

How have we made sure our new specification is what you want? We asked you 200 Religious Studies teachers Focus groups Questionnaires Faith communities Impartial market research We acted on what you told us We have maintained the range of topics that made our current specification successful and popular

Retains the unit structure and range of topics that made our previous specification successful and popular. However, in line with the changes to the subject criteria, we have lightened the content within the specification to make room for a greater emphasis on evaluation How will these changes affect GCSE Religious Studies? We have reduced the amount of exam time per unit from two hours to one hour 30 minutes

What’s staying the same? No change Unit structure We have retained the same 16 units We have retained the same exam paper structure Full course and short course Any one unit constitutes a Short Course GCSE, and two units from different modules constitute a full GCSE. And as before, it is simple to ‘top up’ from a Short Course to a Full Course

And what are the main differences? Main differences 4 sections per unit Popular bits of Section 5 retained Clear format Lighter content and assessment

What are we doing to help you? GCSE Specification & Accessible Assessment Stay alert e-SpecResultsPlus Ask the Expert Curriculum Development Managers Dedicated lines Regional Offices Free Teacher Support Materials May 08/Sep 09 Ask Edexcel Published Resources

So what is important about GCSE Religious Studies?

Overview of the specification UnitUnit title Method of Assessment Availability First Assessment Weighting Structure of Assessment 1-7 Religion and life ExternalJuneJune % short course, 50% full course External Assessment – structured extended writing 8 Religion and society ExternalJuneJune % short course, 50% full course External Assessment – structured extended writing 9-15 Faith in practice ExternalJuneJune % short course, 50% full course External Assessment – structured extended writing 16 Mark’s Gospel ExternalJuneJune % short course, 50% full course External Assessment – structured extended writing

The specification – an example Religion and Society… Religion and Life… Unit 1Unit 8 Matters of life and death Marriage and the family Religion and community cohesion Religion: environmental and medical issues Religion: peace and conflict Religion: crime and punishment Believing in God Religion: rights and responsibilities

Assessment for all: accessible papers Exam length per paper of 1 hour and 30 minutes Choice of two questions per section

What are we doing to help you? GCSE Specification & Accessible Assessment Stay alert e-SpecResultsPlus Ask the Expert Curriculum Development Managers Dedicated lines Regional Offices Free Teacher Support Materials May 08/Sep 09 Ask Edexcel Published Resources

Ask Edexcel Dedicated Support How else can Edexcel help me? Ask the Expert An online bank of questions and answers at your fingertips Check your pack for contact details of your regional offices and dedicated phone lines

September 2008 Free teacher support book Assessment exemplars with examiner comments Mapping charts highlighting what’s new whichever spec you currently use Some great lesson ideas that you can use as tasters in year 9

September 2008 Free e-Spec Video of students discussing their experience of studying the GCSE subject Video of a senior examiner explaining the changes and the rationale behind them Links from spec to SAMs so you can see the questions that will be asked for each part of the spec content

February 2009 Getting ready to teach To coincide with the national programme of implementation events Free Scheme of Work with lesson plans All the support you need

Look forward to better exam results Results Plus is specifically designed to help you measure exactly how well your specification is being understood by students  It shows you where to make improvements  Whole class analysis to help future teaching  Individual student analysis to help with re-sits and future learning

Comparison with: Similar centres Previous years Centre performance Performance per: Subject, class, paper, question or individual learner Subject grade Breakdown by tier or specification Detailed analysis on performance in each question on each exam paper

ResultsPlus Access for students Secure, internet access to their Edexcel grades and scores ‘Gradeometer’ Links to helpful information for guidance and support Easy access Go to Log in using your Edexcel online username and password Create your reports

Edexcel published resources Highly respected authors Direct links to the specification Engaging Free evaluation pack We will also endorse other publisher materials

ExamWizard – customise your mock tests Free trial:

What do I need to do next? Staying with Edexcel? Coming on board from another AB? Let us know on your feedback form Curriculum Development Manager se2009 Sign up for alerts for your subject September 2008 Getting started packs to your centre Implementation Events Spring 2009 Welcome pack September 2009

Why you should choose Edexcel for your GCSE Religious Studies 2009 Specification A specification that allows for better results for all your students Retained popular features and greater flexibility The most comprehensive package of support and services available

Our commitment We have been getting better at listening to you - this is our promise: We will help you improve results through investment in technology, training and support When you contact us we will respond quickly and effectively We will work harder to ensure the information you need is clear and easily accessible This isn't all we are doing but it's the things we know are important to you, and to us

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