KS4 GCSE Religious Education
GCSE Religious Studies (AQA Route A) – Key Stage 4 Overview
Students who choose to study GCSE Religious Studies follow the AQA Route A specification. The course explores the beliefs, teachings and practices of Christianity and Islam, alongside key contemporary ethical and philosophical issues through the study of thematic topics.
The qualification is divided into two examination papers:
Paper 1: The Study of Religions
- Christianity
- Islam
Paper 2: Thematic Studies
Year 10 Curriculum
Students begin the GCSE course in Year 10 and study:
|
Term |
Topic |
|
Topic 1 |
Christian Beliefs |
|
Topic 2 |
Theme D: Religion, Peace and Conflict |
|
Topic 3 |
Islam: Beliefs |
|
Topic 4 |
Theme A: Relationships and Families |
Year 11 Curriculum
Students continue the course in Year 11 and study:
|
Term |
Topic |
|
Topic 1 |
Theme B: Religion and Life |
|
Topic 2 |
Islam: Practices |
|
Topic 3 |
Theme E: Religion, Crime and Punishment |
|
Topic 4 |
Christian Practices |
Students receive four lessons per week throughout Years 10 and 11. The curriculum is deliberately interleaved, with content from the Study of Religions and Thematic Studies components taught alongside one another. This approach helps students make meaningful connections between religious beliefs and contemporary issues, while maintaining engagement across the course.
The GCSE builds upon the knowledge and skills developed during Key Stage 3. As students progress through the course, they are encouraged to think critically, analyse different viewpoints and construct well-reasoned arguments. There is a particular emphasis on:
- Using religious teachings and sources of authority as evidence
- Developing logical chains of reasoning
- Evaluating contrasting perspectives
- Justifying and substantiating personal judgements
- Applying religious teachings to contemporary ethical issues
These skills prepare students for success in both GCSE examinations and further study in the humanities and social science subjects.