Ethics and Philosophy
WHAT DO STUDENTS LEARN IN ETHICS AND PHILOSOPHY IN KEY STAGE 4?
Students will study carefully chosen topics which provide opportunities for discussion of fundamental questions of life, with reference to religions. By evaluating challenging questions, and expressing views using reasoned arguments and religious teachings, students can enhance their capacity and desire to make a positive contribution to debates and decisions in society.
Click on the link to view the full list of topics which are covered in:
HOW WILL STUDENTS LEARN IN THIS COURSE?Â
GCSE option group & Non GCSE groups (1 hour per week)
Ethics and philosophy offers students a wide range of learning opportunities and the chance to develop transferable skills. They will learn skills of analysis and evaluation, which are high order thinking skills. They will also have opportunities to develop their skills in debating and putting their opinions across.Â
HOW ARE STUDENTS ASSESSED IN THIS COURSE?
GCSE option group
During the course we assess students both within each module and by end of module tests. Students also sit whole school PPE’S (Practice Public Examinations also known as mocks or trial exams).
Final examinations all taken in the summer of year 11Â
Paper 1 – The study of religions; beliefs, teachings and practices
1 hour and 45 minutes exam    50% of the GCSE
Paper 2 – Thematic studies
1 hour and 45 minutes exam    50% of the GCSE
Non GCSE groups (1 hour per week)
There are no formal written assessments in this course.Â
WHAT IS THE LEARNING SEQUENCE?
GCSE option group
| Year 10 | Year 11 | |
| Autumn Term 1 | Christianity – Beliefs | Islam – Beliefs part 2 |
| Autumn term 2 | Christianity – Beliefs | Islam – Practices |
| Spring Term 1 | Christianity – Practices | Islam – Practices |
| Spring Term 2 | Christianity – Practices | Theme B – Religion and Life |
| Summer Term 1 | Theme F – Religion, human rights and social justice. | Revision Exams |
| Summer Term 2 | Islam – Beliefs part 1 | Exams |
* Themes E crime and punishment and D peace and conflict are studied towards the end of year 9 by all students.Â
Non GCSE groups (1 hour per week)
| Year 10 | Year 11 | |
| Autumn Term 1 | Unit 1 – World Poverty | Unit 4 – Existence of God  |
| Autumn term 2 | Unit 2 – Drug abuse | Students sit school PPE’S (Practice Public Examinations also known as mocks or trial exams). |
| Spring Term 1 | Unit 3 – Family & relationships | Unit 5 – Animal rights   |
| Spring Term 2 | Students sit school PPE’S (Practice Public Examinations also known as mocks or trial exams). | Students sit school PPE’S (Practice Public Examinations also known as mocks or trial exams). |
| Summer Term 1 | Careers lessons | Supervised independent study |
| Summer Term 2 | Mental health | Supervised independent study |
WHAT QUALIFICATION IS GAINED FROM WHICH EXAM BOARD?
GCSE in Religious studiesÂ
LINK TO EXAM BOARD SPECIFICATION
HOW IS IT GRADED?Â
Graded 1-9, with 9 being the highest Grade
WHAT FURTHER EDUCATION AND/OR CAREERS CAN THIS QUALIFICATION LEAD TO?Â
This subject offers transferable skills such as the ability to understand the meaning of complex questions, empathy and the ability to understand people and take on board others’ views. It will help you develop an independence of mind and the ability to think for yourself. These are vital skills for all employers. This subject is also useful for careers in teaching, medicine, politics, counselling, charity work and the civil service.
Students do of course have the opportunity to continue religious studies at A Level and subsequently university.
