Religious Education

Religious Education at FGCSWhat topics will my child study in year 7 and 8?

Students acquire the basic skills in RE including analytical skills and a range of philosophical theories to enable them to understand their community and their place in the theologian world.

In year 7 the following areas are studied:

• Transitional Unit (primary to secondary)
• Key elements and origins of Judaism
• Introduction to Humanism
• Introduction to Philosophy
• Origins, Sanctity and Dignity of Life
• Celebrations
• Introduction to Christian Beliefs, Teachings and Practices
• Introduction to Islamic Beliefs, Teachings and Practices

What topics will my child study in year 9, 10 and 11?

Students follow GCSE (9 - 1) Eduqas (formerly known as WJEC) Religious Studies Route A. Details of this specification can be found here.

The course consists of three components:

• Religious, Philosophical and Ethical Studies in the Modern World, UK’s ethical issues such as the problem with Human Rights and Relationships
• Study of beliefs and practices of Christianity
• Study of beliefs and practices of a chosen world faith; Islam.

Do you have a reading list for this subject?

Eduqas GCSE (9 – 1) WJEC Religious Studies Route A by Joy White, Chris Owens, Ed Pawson, Amanda Ridley

How can I help my child to excel in this subject?

In addition to discussing learning with your child and monitoring their homework, ensuring your child watches a regular news programme, or keep abreast of the latest news events by a reputable news app. Taking your child to interesting historical places, be it a museum, a place of worship or a natural history museum, will provide them with the broader knowledge they need to access the curriculum.

Are there any online resources?

• http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/zh3rkqt
• http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/zb48q6f
• https://www.truetube.co.uk/

Are there any important dates for me to be aware of in your subject?

Advanced notification will be given for educational visits. Information will be provided of dates for interim assessments, internal and external examinations.

How will my child be assessed at the end of the course?

Component/Paper 1: Religious, Philosophical and Ethical Studies in the Modern World

• Written examination: 2 hours
• 50% of qualification

Component 2/Paper 2: Study of Christianity

• Written examination: 1 hour
• 25% of qualification

Component 3/Paper 3: Study of a World Faith

• Written examination: 1 hour
• 25% of qualification

Withdraw from RE

Parental right to withdraw children from RE

The right of parents to withdraw their children from religious education (RE) lessons is set out in section 71(1) of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998.

A parent of a student at an academy can request that their child is wholly or partly excused from:

• Receiving RE given in the school in accordance with the school’s basic curriculum
• Attendance at religious worship in the school.

Parents who withdraw their child from all or part of the school’s RE curriculum do not have to provide a reason. The school must comply with their request, although a school should ensure parents or carers are informed of this right and are aware of the educational objectives and content of the RE syllabus.

If students are withdrawn from RE, schools have a duty to supervise them, though not to provide additional teaching or to incur extra cost. Students will usually remain on school premises. Parents are not permitted to supervise their child during these lessons.

The rules that apply to withdrawing students from RE lessons do not apply to other lessons that look at religion. Therefore, a student cannot be withdrawn from any National Curriculum subject, even if they teach about religion, other than RE or some aspects of sex and relationship education (RSE).

If you think you would like to discuss withdrawing your child from RE lessons, please contact the school at info@forestgatecst.org for the attention of the RE lead.