2. will tell us the answers to many of life’s questions…
“What is oxidation?”
“What is an oxbow lake?”
“Who was King Henry VIII’s third wife?”
“What does a trombone sound like?”
will tell us the answers to many of life’s questions…

3. won’t tell us the answers to life’s BIG questions…
BUT…
won’t tell us the answers to life’s BIG questions…
Is God real?
Why are we here?
What should I do to be a good person?
What do I do when I don’t feel like forgiving someone?
Sorry, I just don’t know. You’ll have to do RS GCSE!

4. Is GCSE Religious Studies for your child?
Successful GCSE RS students can:
offer detailed descriptions and include supporting evidence within their argument
explain the meaning of religious scripture
produce detailed responses to exam questions
successfully recall key terminology and religious extracts
formulate articulate arguments regarding ethical issues and religious beliefs.
Students not suitable for GCSE RS may find that they:
struggle to produce detailed pieces of written work
need help with structuring essays
find it difficult to remember lots of information
are confused with unfamiliar key terminology
dislike listening to opinions which differ to their own.

5. Skills your child will develop
Opinions Analysis Critical Evaluation
Debate Questioning Interpretation
Empathy Clear & Logical Thinking
Literacy & Oracy Negotiating
Organisation Problem solving
Research Working to Deadlines
Questioning
RS covers a wide range of issues that affect millions of people around the world. It widens awareness of the surrounding world and teaches people to communicate their own views on many different topical areas. It reflects the fast-changing world we live in.

6. Potential careers Prominent careers
Teaching, Civil Service, National Security, Diplomatic Service, Defence Industry, Human Rights, Law, Politics, Emergency Services: Police, Fire, Ambulance, Coastguard, Human resources.
RS with English
Advertising, Publishing, Journalism, Media, Broadcasting, Copywriting.
RS with Science
Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary, Medical laboratories, Research & development.
RS with Maths
Banking, Business, Management, Retail.
RS with Geography
Pilot, Armed Forces, Aid agencies, Charity worker, Travel & Tourism.
RS with other subjects
Hospitality, Youth & Social Work, Councillor, Translators, Self-Employment, Office Administrators.

7. Why do GCSE candidates choose Religious Studies?
GCSE Religious Studies allows students to demonstrate their ability to:
Apply knowledge and understanding of two religions;
Understand the influence of religion on individuals, communities and societies;
Understand significant common and divergent views between and/or within religions and beliefs;
Construct well-informed and balanced arguments on matters concerned with religious beliefs and values.
Why do GCSE candidates choose Religious Studies?
“I like to learn about controversial issues.”
“I get to discuss moral issues and there are no wrong opinions.”
“I enjoy expressing my views and opinions and listening to the views of others.”

8. What are modern ethical themes?
The study of moral standards and how they have an impact on conduct.
The examination of how people believe they should behave and why they believe this.
We also look at how we put certain beliefs into practice and how it may have an impact on decisions that we make, or other people make.
Students should consider different religious, philosophical and ethical arguments and their impact and influence in the modern world. They should be aware of different perspectives on the issues studied, within and/or between religions, as well as non-religious views.

9. Ethical Themes Study of these four themes: Relationships and families
Religion and life
Religion, crime and punishment
Religion, human rights and social justice.

10. Relationships and families
Religious teachings, beliefs and attitudes about:
contraception and family planning
sexuality
the nature and purpose of marriage
same-sex marriage and cohabitation
divorce, including reasons for divorce, and remarrying
extended families and the nuclear family.
the purpose of families
the roles of men and women
gender equality
gender prejudice and discrimination, including examples.

11. Religion and Life Religious teachings, beliefs and attitudes about:
the concepts of sanctity of life and the quality of life
abortion, including situations when the mother's life is at risk
euthanasia
the value of the world and the duty of human beings to protect it, including stewardship, dominion, responsibility
the use and abuse of the environment, including the use of natural resources, pollution
the use and abuse of animals, including animal experimentation and the use of animals for food.

12. Religion, crime and punishment
Religious teachings, beliefs and attitudes about:
good and evil actions
good and evil people
reasons for crime including poverty, upbringing, mental illness, addiction, greed, hate, opposition to a 'bad'/unjust law
different types of crime including hate crimes, theft and murder
aims of punishment
suffering including causing suffering to others.
the treatment of criminals including prison
forgiveness
the death penalty.

13. Religion, human rights and social justice
Religious teachings, beliefs and attitudes about:
Human rights and the responsibilities that come with rights
issues of equality, freedom of religion and belief including freedom of religious expression
prejudice and discrimination
wealth, including its uses
the duty to tackle poverty and its causes
exploitation of the poor including issues relating to fair pay, excessive interest on loans and people trafficking
the responsibilities of those living in poverty
charity including issues related to giving money to the poor.

14. Two exam papers, ethics is assessed in one paper.

16. What is Philosophy?
Dictionary definition of philosophy- the branch of knowledge which examines concepts such as truth, existence, reality and freedom.
We study Christianity and one other religion’s beliefs about big questions such as how the universe began. Was it God? Science? Both?

17. Philosophy Topics - Christianity
Key beliefs:
The nature of God
Creation
Beliefs about the afterlife and their importance
Jesus Christ and salvation
Practices:
Worship and festivals
The role and meaning of the sacraments
The role and importance of pilgrimage and celebrations
The role of the Church

18. Two exam papers, philosophy of religion is assessed in one paper.