• Component 1: The study of religions – Beliefs, teachings, and practices of two religions: Christianity and Islam.) Key areas cover sources of wisdom (e.g., scripture), key beliefs and practices, (God, afterlife, prophets), worship, festivals, and community life.
• Component 2: Thematic studies – Four themes from religious, philosophical, and ethical topics, including: relationships and families (marriage, divorce, gender equality); religion and life (creation, abortion, euthanasia); religion, peace, and conflict (just war, terrorism); religion, crime, and punishment (punishment, forgiveness.) The course encourages critical thinking about religious and non-religious views (e.g., atheism, humanism), using sources of authority, and applying teachings to modern issues like sustainability, equality, and global challenges.

100% exam-based (linear, all exams at the end of the course): Two papers (each 1 hour 45 minutes, each paper forms 50% of GCSE):

• Paper 1: The study of religions: beliefs, teachings and practices – Questions on the two religions (multiple-choice, short-answer, and extended writing).
• Paper 2: Thematic studies – Questions on the four themes (similar format, including evaluation of arguments and application of teachings). Questions range from 1-mark definitions to 12-mark evaluation essays (e.g., “Evaluate whether religious teachings provide the best guidance for modern life”). No tiers (single papers graded 9-1.)

A Level Religious Studies, A Level Philosophy, A Level Sociology, A Level Law, or Level 3 BTEC in Health & Social Care/Public Services. Many progress to sixth form/college (e.g., Stoke Sixth Form College) for Humanities or Social Sciences degrees, or apprenticeships requiring critical thinking and ethics knowledge.

Teaching, social work, counselling, youth work, law (solicitor/barrister), policing, civil service, journalism, charity/NGO work, human resources, healthcare (e.g., ethics in medicine), or roles in community cohesion, interfaith dialogue, and public policy. RE skills are valued in diverse, multicultural workplaces for understanding beliefs, ethics, and empathy.

The course is engaging and relevant, exploring big questions about life, morality, and society while promoting respect for diverse views – aligning with Discovery Academy’s values of pride, respect, and commitment. It develops strong analytical, debating, and essay-writing skills transferable to many subjects. It’s accessible to all, encourages personal reflection, empathy and supports tolerance in a multicultural world. At the academy, RE embodies global insights into religion, culture, morals, and ethics.

Extremely useful – in a diverse, global society, understanding different beliefs and ethical perspectives helps navigate everyday issues like relationships, justice, human rights, and current events (e.g., conflict, equality, environmental ethics). Employers value RE for critical thinking, balanced argumentation, empathy, and cultural awareness – essential in fields like law, healthcare, education, business, and public services. It fosters informed citizenship, respectful dialogue, and ethical decision-making, enhancing personal growth, employability, and adaptability in a changing world full of moral complexities. GCSE RE is a respected qualification that boosts university applications and supports lifelong skills for informed, compassionate living.