At Archway Learning Trust, we desire that all learners come to understand and value the centrality of faith in our world. We aim to teach a Religious Studies curriculum that has powerful knowledge at its core, is academically challenging, culturally rich and relevant to all. We want learners to view Religious Studies as an academic subject with rigorous demands that align with the demands of other Humanities subjects.
It is our hope that through the study of RS, all learners develop a sense of identity and can evaluate their personal worldview whilst reflecting on the worldviews of others. They will develop an understanding of core concepts that fall under the three disciplines which have shaped the society that we live in today, namely: theology, philosophy and social sciences. These disciplines or ways of knowing will allow learners to explore what people believe in, how these beliefs are expressed and how, in turn, this influences the way in which people live. Our curriculum is ‘collectively enough’; it is not possible to cover all religious and non religious traditions and we do not intend to try. Content is selected so that students have a meaningful and deep understanding of some traditions. Thus, our course enables learners to become religiously literate whilst also building curiosity as they encounter traditions which have shaped the world we live in.
Each unit of work is underpinned by both a worldviews and hermeneutics approach in religious and secular sources of authority. We think it is important to use these texts as a foundation upon which to build, so that learners can start to unpick the role of interpretation in discerning religious beliefs. It is also important that we teach students to be critical interpreters who can reflect on their own position whilst appraising the scriptures presented. We want learners to gain a deeper understanding of how texts can be manipulated over time, but we also want them to recognise how these texts can still be relevant in society today. Through gaining this knowledge, we can promote tolerance and respect for those who are different to ourselves whilst also allowing students to understand how their own beliefs may shape their worldviews, morality and identity. Our RS curriculum prepares all for life in modern Britain, celebrating diversity and promoting inclusion whilst warning of the dangers of extremism and intolerance.
As well as this, our intent for all learners is that they can develop their skills of evaluation through encouraging them to formulate arguments in an academic and empathetic way. These discussions are key for our multi-cultural, ethnically diverse, pluralist society to function in a way that leads to harmony, peace and mutual respect for all.
As a Church of England academy, Bluecoat Wollaton’s Religious Studies curriculum is shaped by our Christian vision of ‘believe in yourself, in others, in God’ and our core values of Faith, Hope and Love. These values underpin our commitment to developing the whole child by nurturing intellectual curiosity alongside spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. Through the rigorous academic study of Christianity and other religious and non-religious worldviews, students are encouraged to explore questions of meaning, identity and purpose, whilst recognising the intrinsic value and dignity of every person as someone created in the image of God. Our curriculum provides opportunities for learners to engage critically and respectfully with diverse beliefs, develop empathy and compassion, and reflect on how values such as love of neighbour, hope for the future and faithful commitment to truth can influence both individual lives and society. In doing so, Religious Studies contributes significantly to our mission of enabling every young person to flourish academically, personally and spiritually, equipping them to become knowledgeable, respectful and compassionate citizens who are prepared to serve others in a diverse and changing world.
Religious Studies plays a significant role in expressing the Christian vision of Bluecoat Wollaton Academy. Through studying Christianity in depth, pupils encounter: Biblical narratives; Christian theology; worship; ethics; lived faith; contemporary Christian responses to social issues.
Edexcel GCSE in Religious Studies B (1RB0)
The qualification consists of three Areas of Study from which students study two, which are then assessed through two externally set examination papers. Students must complete all assessment in May/June in any single year
Paper 1: Area of Study 1 – Religion and Ethics (*Paper code: 1RB0/1A – 1G)
- Written examination: 1 hour and 45 minutes
- 50% of the qualification
- 102 marks
Content overview:
Students must study all four content sections based upon their chosen religion (Christianity).
- Beliefs
- Marriage and the Family
- Living the Religious Life
- Matters of Life and Death
Assessment overview:
- Students must answer all questions.
- The assessment consists of four questions.
- The paper may include short open, open response and extended writing questions.
- The paper will assess spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPaG) and use of specialist terminology and these will contribute a minimum of 5% of marks towards the overall weighting for this paper.
Paper 2: Area of Study 2 – Religion, Peace and Conflict (*Paper code: 1RB0/2A–2G)
- Written examination: 1 hour and 45 minutes
- 50% of the qualification
- 102 marks
Content overview:
Students must study all four content sections based upon their chosen religion (Islam).
- Beliefs
- Crime and Punishment
- Living the Religious Life
- Peace and Conflict
Assessment overview:
- Students must answer all questions.
- The assessment consists of four questions.
- The paper may include short open, open response and extended writing questions.
- The paper will assess spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPaG) and use of specialist terminology and these will contribute a minimum of 5% of marks towards the overall weighting for this paper.
Click here to find out more about our curriculum: BWA-RS-Curriculum-25-26
Careers Links
Religious Studies is an excellent source of transferable skills that can be applied to a vast range of different career paths. Click here for examples of some of the employability skills Religious Studies can provide.
Explore career profiles related to this qualification on Unifrog:
- Montessori teacher
- Mediator
- Assistant director (TV or film)
- Funeral director
- Religious leader
- Advertising copywriter
- Student adviser
- Legal executive
- Local government officer
- Secondary school teacher
- Further education lecturer
- Newspaper or magazine editor
- MP
- Trade union official
- CEO (Chief executive officer)
- Charity fundraiser
- Solicitor
- Community development worker
- Family support worker
- Higher education lecturer
- Barrister
- Marketing executive
- Sociologist
- Political scientist
- Market researcher
- Charity director
- Recruitment consultant
- Human resources manager