Curriculum : Religious Studies Staff Ms Grose Mr James Ms Gill What is RE? Religious Education at Grey Coat gives our students important skills in the study of theology, philosophy and ethics. RE is all about learning how to ask the fundamental questions of human existence and analysing different responses to them. In Years 7 and 8, these questions include ‘How do we know?’, ‘Who was Jesus?’ and ‘What is religion?’ In Years 9 and 10, GCSE RE ranges from ‘Should we forgive?’ to ‘How should we treat animals?’ to ‘What is spirituality?’ At A-level, we ask ‘Can God’s existence be proven?’, ‘Is there life after death?’ and ‘How do we know what is right and wrong?’ Throughout their years of studying RE, our students investigate answers to these fundamental questions from a wide variety of religions and belief systems, including the different faith traditions found within the worldwide Anglican Communion. GCSE Religious Studies Grey Coat students study GCSE Religious Studies in Years 9 and 10. In Year 9, we follow AQA Specification B Unit 2 (‘Key Beliefs, Ultimate Questions and Life Issues’) as a GCSE short course, with one exam at the end of the year, for which students receive a GCSE grade. In Year 10, students complete AQA Specification B Unit 4 (‘Truth, Spirituality and Contemporary Issues’) as a second GCSE short course, again with one exam at the end of the year. The results for both short courses are combined at the end of Year 10 to give a full GCSE RS qualification. In 2005 93% of our Year 9 students achieved grades A*-C. In 2006 ……………. Beyond what happens in the classroom, there are many events and resources that are invaluable in helping our students succeed in GCSE RS. GCSE Resources Revision Guides We recommend that every Year 9 student buys the Heinemann ‘Key Beliefs, Ultimate Questions and Life Issues’ revision guide, while those in Year 10 should purchase the Heinemann ‘Truth, Spirituality and Contemporary Issues’ revision guide. Both of these are available from the RE department at cost price of £5. In addition, prior to the summer exams, we provide every student with our own revision guide, free of charge. Websites www.bbc.co.uk/religion   www.bbc.co.uk/gcsebitesize