Religious Education
- Type of Qualification A Level
- Exam Board Edexcel A Level Religious Studies
- Exam board link Visit Website
Religious Education at KS5 provides a rigorous, knowledge‑rich curriculum rooted in the Catholic tradition and informed by Catholic Social Teaching (CST). Students engage critically with religious, philosophical and ethical ideas, developing religious literacy, evaluative skills, and an appreciation of human dignity, social justice, and the common good. The curriculum promotes intellectual curiosity, moral reasoning, and respectful dialogue, equipping students to participate thoughtfully in a plural and democratic society.
Intent
To develop advanced critical thinking through Edexcel A Level Religious Studies, enabling students to analyse religious, ethical and philosophical arguments with academic rigour in preparation for higher education.
Implementation
The curriculum is carefully sequenced to build knowledge cumulatively across key stages. Teaching approaches include explicit instruction, retrieval practice, extended writing, debate, and application to real‑world contexts. Enrichment includes liturgy, chaplaincy activities, guest speakers, and cross‑curricular links with History, English and Science. Assessment is frequent, purposeful, and aligned to exam board requirements.
Impact
Impact is measured through formative assessment, summative exams, progress data analysis (including PP, SEND and HPA), student voice, work scrutiny and external exam outcomes. Students demonstrate strong religious literacy, evaluative writing, and the ability to apply ethical frameworks to contemporary issues. Outcomes at A Level are consistently in line with or above national averages.
Curriculum Overview by Year Group and Term
| Term 1 | Term 2 | Term 3 | Term 4 | Term 5 | Term 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Paper 1 – Philosophy of Religion Unit: Design and Cosmological Arguments Paper 2 – Religion and Ethics Unit: Environmental Ethics and Equality Paper 3 – Study of Religion – Christianity Unit: Religious beliefs, Values and Teachings
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Paper 1 – Philosophy of Religion Unit: Ontological Arguments Paper 2 – Religion and Ethics Unit: Utilitarianism Paper 3 – Study of Religion – Christianity Unit: Religious beliefs, Values and Teachings
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Paper 1 – Philosophy of Religion Unit: Religious Experience Paper 2 – Religion and Ethics Unit: Situation Ethics Paper 3 – Study of Religion – Christianity Unit: Sources of Wisdom and authority
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Paper 1 – Philosophy of Religion Unit: Inconsistent Triad and Theodicies Paper 2 – Religion and Ethics Unit: Natural Moral Law Paper 3 – Study of Religion – Christianity Unit: Sources of Wisdom and authority
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Paper 1 – Philosophy of Religion Unit: Anthology Paper 2 – Religion and Ethics Unit: War and Peace Paper 3 – Study of Religion – Christianity Unit: Practices that shape and express religious identity
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Paper 1 – Philosophy of Religion Unit: Analogy and Symbol Paper 2 – Religion and Ethics Unit: Sexual Ethics Paper 3 – Study of Religion – Christianity Unit: Practices that shape and express religious identity
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| Term 1 | Term 2 | Term 3 | Term 4 | Term 5 | Term 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Paper 1 – Philosophy of Religion Unit: Verification and Falsification Paper 2 – Religion and Ethics Unit: Meta Ethics Paper 3 – Study of Religion – Christianity Unit: Social and historical developments; Religion and society
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Paper 1 – Philosophy of Religion Unit: Language Games and Works of Scholars Paper 2 – Religion and Ethics Unit: The Relationship between Religion and Morality Paper 3 – Study of Religion – Christianity Unit: Social and historical developments; Religion and society
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Paper 1 – Philosophy of Religion Unit: Life after Death and Mind and Body Paper 2 – Religion and Ethics Unit: Deontology and Virtue Ethics Paper 3 – Study of Religion – Christianity Unit: Works of Scholars
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Paper 1 – Philosophy of Religion Unit: Science and Religion Paper 2 – Religion and Ethics Unit: Medical Ethics Paper 3 – Study of Religion – Christianity Unit: Religion and society
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Exam Revision Schedule |
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