“To know you more clearly” Bishops Conference of England and Wales
Religious Studies comprises three very distinct, but equally fascinating and complementary areas of study. In Philosophy of Religion, we question our very own existence, the nature of evil, death and the afterlife and explore how we can ‘know’ if God actually exists.
Alongside this we study Religion and Ethics, in which students learn how to make life and death decisions, find out whether they care more about people or duty and apply this learning to a diverse range of engaging and relevant topics like war ethics, sexual ethics, equality ethics, medical ethics and environmental ethics.
Finally, students explore the fascinating world of the New Testament and the intriguing history of oppression, martyrdom and sacrifice that the writers and believers faced in creating and compiling these texts which have impacted Western society so greatly. Students gain an overview of the Synoptic Gospels and the Fourth Gospel and engage in debates about authorship, key themes and portrayals of Christ.
A-Level Religious Studies is valued by universities and employers alike and will excite, intrigue and inspire students no matter which career path they choose.
A Level Religious Studies
Course Content/Learning Journey
3x A-Level exams sat at the end of Year 13 – Edexcel Religious Studies
Paper 1: Philosophy of Religion – The problem of evil, arguments for the existence of God, Religious Experience, death and the afterlife, religious language, critiques of religious belief and scientific methodologies.
Paper 2: Ethics – Utilitarianism, Situation Ethics, Kantian Ethics and Natural Moral law. Applied ethics – War and Peace, Sexual Ethics, Environmental Ethics, Equality Ethics, Medical Ethics and End of Life care.
Paper 3: Theology – Did Jesus really resurrect from the dead? Does science make the Bible redundant? Problems of authorship, purpose, Christology and propaganda in the Gospels.
Careers/Higher Education Pathways
96% of Theology and Religious Studies graduates go onto graduate level employment within 6 months of leaving university. It is a highly sort after and respected course. RS students go on to many of the following fields:
· Medicine
· Law
· The Armed forces
· Journalism
· Teaching
· Academia (Lecturing and academic research)
· The police
· Civil Service.
· Clergy
· The media
Core RE
Every student in our sixth form is also timetabled for Core RE on a weekly basis. The session alternates each week between a classroom based session and a lecture series in the main hall. The classroom based session is centred around our unique Laudato Si course; Silver for Year 12 and Gold for Year 13. It is a tailored programme of study which allows students to engage in group work projects and
presentations on a range of religious and ethical issues such as animal rights, fertility treatments, war and business/media ethics.
The lecture series is designed to give students a more teacher led experience akin to a university lecture and we have covered stimulating topics such as religion in film, the rise of the charismatic Churches, Guardian angels and the Catholic Church and Modern Genocides and discrimination.
In addition to the above, we offer sixth form students to opportunity to gain a nationally recognised award through extra-curricular activity; the Pope John Paul II Award. This allows students to explore and deepen their faith as well as contributing to the wider community and developing research and presentation skills.