OUR DEPARTMENT AIMS

The aim of Religious Studies is that it should encourage learners to be inspired, moved and changed by following a broad, satisfying and worthwhile course of study that challenges pupils and equips them to lead constructive lives in the modern world. 

RS should enable learners to:

  • Adopt an enquiring, critical and reflective approach to the study of religion.
  • Explore religions and beliefs, reflect on fundamental questions, engage with them intellectually and respond personally.
  • Enhance their spiritual and moral development, and contribute to their health and wellbeing.  
  • Enhance their personal, social and cultural development, their understanding of different cultures locally, nationally and in the wider world, and to contribute to social and community cohesion.
  • Develop their interest in and enthusiasm for the study of religion, and relate it to the wider world.
  • Reflect on and develop their own values, opinions and attitudes in light of their learning.

RS provides learners with the opportunity to:

  • Develop their knowledge, skills and understanding of religion by exploring the significance and impact of beliefs, teachings, sources, practices, ways of life and forms of expressing meaning.
  • Express their personal responses and informed insights on fundamental questions and issues about identity, belonging, meaning, purpose, truth, values and commitments. 

RELIGIOUS STUDIES AT KEY STAGE 3

Pupils study the religions of Christianity, Judaism, Islam and Hinduism through the following topics (from the Rhondda Cynon Taff – Locally Agreed Syllabus):

  • Leaders and Texts
  • Judaism
  • Islam
  • Looking For God
  • Worship and Ritual
  • Journey of Life
  • ‘Is it Fair?’

RELIGIOUS STUDIES AT KEY STAGE 4

All pupils follow the WJEC Specification B, Option A (non-coursework) option for Short Course GCSE, and WJEC Specification B, Option B (non-coursework) is followed by pupils studying for Full Course GCSE. Pupils sit a 1 hour 45 minute examination in Year 11 for Short Course GCSE. Pupils who are studying Full Course GCSE will sit a further 1 hour 45 minute examination. There is no coursework in Religious Studies.

RELIGIOUS STUDIES AT KEY STAGE 5

Pupils follow the WJEC AS/A Level specifications. For AS, the units of study are: ‘An Introduction to Religion and Ethics and the Philosophy of Religion’ and ‘An Introduction to the Study of Religion – Christianity’.

‘An Introduction to the Study of Religion – Christianity’ course content:

  • Theme 1 – Religious figures and sacred texts (part 1)
  • Theme 2 – Religious concepts
  • Theme 3 – Religious life
  • Theme 4 – Religious practices that shape religious identity (part 1)

‘An Introduction to Religion and Ethics and the Philosophy of Religion’ course content:

Ethics:

  • Theme 1 – Ethical Thought
  • Theme 2 – Aquinas’ Natural Law – a religious approach to ethics
  • Theme 3 – Situation Ethics – a religious approach to ethics
  • Theme 4 – Utilitarianism – a non-religious approach to ethics

Philosophy:

  • Theme 1 – Arguments for the existence of God – inductive
  • Theme 2 – Arguments for the existence of God – deductive
  • Theme 3 – Challenges to religious belief (part 1) – the problem of evil and suffering
  • Theme 4 – Religious experience (part 1)

For A Level, the units of study followed are ‘Philosophy of Religion’ and ‘Human Experience (Life, Death and Life after Death)’.

‘Philosophy of Religion’ course content:

  • Is religious faith rational?
  • Is religious language meaningful?
  • Is religious faith compatible with scientific evidence?
  • Are we free beings?

Human Experience course content: Pupils have to answer a two-part question on ‘Life, Death and Life after Death’ in the examination.