KS3
Year 8: Topics- St Dominic and the history of Dominican College; The Bible; Baptism including the Ministry of John the Baptist; Choices & Morality; Christmas; Life & Ministry of Jesus including background to Palestine; Lent, Suffering & Death of Jesus.
Year 9: Topics- Creation & The Environment; Covenant; Morality; Christmas; Christian Diversity; Lent & Easter; Luke’s Gospel; Judaism
Year 10: Topics- I am Valuable & Human Dignity; Who is God?; Christmas; Jesus and His Relationship with Others; Prejudice, Discrimination & Justice; Lent & Easter; Islam.
KS4
We offer 2 pathways at Key Stage 4: GCSE and OCN.
GCSE
The course is comprised of two chosen units of study.
https://ccea.org.uk/key-stage-4/gcse/subjects/gcse-religious-studies-2017
Set out below are the two units our students take:
Content |
Assessment |
Weighting |
Timeframe |
Unit 5: Christianity through a Study of the Gospel of Mark |
Externally assessed written paper Examination lasts 1 hour 30 minutes. |
50% |
Course studied in Year 11. This examination is taken in May/June at the end of Y11 |
Unit 6: An Introduction to Christian Ethics |
Externally assessed written paper Examination lasts 1 hour 30 minutes. |
50% |
Course studied in Year 12. This examination is taken in May/June at the end of Y12 |
There is no controlled assessment component in GCSE Religious Studies.
OCN Pathway
OCN Religious Studies is a portfolio based assessment equivalent to a B at GCSE level, if successfully completed.
https://www.ocnni.org.uk/qualifications/ocn-ni-level-2-certificate-in-religious-studies
The course comprises of 9 units of study that must be successfully completed in order to gain the Certificate in Religious Studies. The units include:
World Faith; Addiction; Life and Death Issues; Charity and Religious Charities; Exploring Religious Traditions within Own Community; Marriage and Divorce; Prejudice and Reconciliation; Life of a Famous Person of Faith; Exploring Personal Identity and Faith
GCE Religious Studies
Pupils study the CCEA GCE Religious Studies Specification Units 2 & 7
https://ccea.org.uk/post-16/gce/subjects/gce-religious-studies-2016
Through this course you will develop an understanding of selected New Testament writings, ethical issues and their relation to human experience in the wider context.
Admissions Criteria: Pupils should have a GCSE grade B in Religious Studies and a good grade in English.
AS Level
(AS 2 & 7- 2 x 1 hour 20 minutes examination worth 50% of AS)
Unit 2- An Introduction to the Acts of the Apostles.
The context of Acts; The Beginnings of the Church; Growth and Expansion of the Church; Paul The Apostle; Other aspects of Human Experience.
Unit 7- Religious Ethics with Special Reference to Issues in Medical Ethics.
Deontological approaches to moral decision making; Teleological approaches to moral decision making; Developments in Bioethics; Life and Death Issues; Other aspects of Human Experience.
A2 Level
(A2 2 & 7- 2 x 2 hour examination worth 50% of A2)
Unit 2- Themes in Selected Letters of Paul.
Paul’s letter to the Galatians; Paul’s 1st letter to the Corinthians; Paul’s letter to the Ephesians; Synoptic Assessment.
Unit 7- Global Ethics.
Moral Theory; Global Rights; Global Issues; Synoptic Assessment.
In addition to studying the topics you will be required to look at other aspects of human experience which means you will link in the topics to people, organisations or events that have happened throughout the course of history and currently.
Extra-Curricular
Pupils have the opportunity to participate in various Liturgical celebrations throughout the year including the Year 8 Mass, Carol Service, Year 14 Leavers Mass and various services to mark key liturgical times such as Advent and Lent.
St Vincent De Paul Society- the school has a Youth SVP society. Year 13 & 14 pupils have the opportunity to participate in the Dominican Award which is a scheme focused on social justice.
How can Religious Studies help me in the future?
There are many essentials skills that are fostered during the study of Religious Studies. Skills such as evaluation, critical analysis and presenting arguments, are all helpful in future life. Students of Religious Studies can go on to have careers in the following areas: teaching, medicine, public service, advice work, Law, counselling, journalism, ministry, social work, charity organisations, youth work and community work.