Religious Studies A GCSE

Specification A

The current specification offers a study of a range of in-depth religions including Christianity, Christianity( Roman Catholic Tradition) , Christianity Through the Gospels, Judaism, Islam and Hinduism.

This specification provides opportunity for candidates to obtain a qualification in
either: GCSE Religious Studies (Full Course)
or: GCSE Religious Studies (Short Course)
or: GCSE Religious Studies (Further Short Course)

The specification provides opportunities for candidates to follow a coherent course, balanced in terms of breadth and depth, which either reflects the fact that the religious traditions of Great Britain are in the main Christian, whilst taking account of the other principal religions represented in Great Britain, or supports the study of Christianity and/or one other principal religion. Its distinctive feature is that it is based upon a systematic approach to the study of religions as discrete entities, exploring aspects of their worship, celebrations, beliefs, sources of authority and community, and ways in which they have relevance and application to moral values, lifestyle and social practices.

Religious Studies Newsletter can be accessed here.

Key Documents are available to download by clicking on the links below:

• Specifications, Specimen Assessment Materials and Teachers Guide.
• Specification A Grade Boundaries Summary 2009
• New Specification A Entry Codes Advice

• Exemplification of Key Skills
• Application Form to become an examiner
• All Documents

Uniform Marks (UMS)

This provides you with information including the entry rules, tiering options as well as the new UMS grade points for each Unit and the subject as a whole. formation on how raw marks are converted to uniform marks may be found in the following document - uniform marks.

Continuing Professional Development

There is a regular programme of Professional Development every autumn delivered by senior examiners and teachers of the courses. Further information on CPD courses can be found here.

Important Note for Catholic Centres: Catholic Centres are advised that feedback and advice on the Specification A Unit 3 (Roman Catholicism 1) and Unit 4 (Roman Catholicism 2) is only available at the Cardiff CPD on Tuesday 12 October when our Principal Examiner will be present.

Resources

• Support material and additional resources can be found free of charge on NGfL-Cymru.
• Past papers and marking schemes are available free of charge to teaching staff on our Secure Website.
• Resources are also available through our online Shop.

For further information, please contact:

Tudor Thomas - Religious Studies Subject Officer 
Telephone: 029 2026 5122
E-mail: tudor.thomas@wjec.co.uk  

Paul Bradley - Religious Studies Subject Support Officer  
Telephone: 029 2026 5183
E-mail: paul.bradley@wjec.co.uk