Religious Studies B GCSE

Specification B

The new specification offers the study of Religious Studies in a thematic issues based way.

The 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 or two other principal religions . Its distinctive feature is that it involves a thematic study of some central questions and issues in human life and experience and explores the relevance of religious beliefs, values and traditions to these questions and issues.

Religious Studies Newsletter

The newsletter for Religious Studies can be accessed here.

Publications

Hodder and Stoughton have published two text books and have also developed a scheme of work for Specification B. These are : Believing and Living by G Craigen and J White and Believing and Experiencing by G. Craigen and J. White. The publications can be accessed by clicking here.

Heinneman have also published two publications that support this specification. The titles are Religion and Life Issues and Religion and Human Experience authored by Chris Owens, Helen Bartley, Laura Burridge, Tanya Hill and David Sharpe. These publications can be accessed by clicking here.

Folens have published Religion and Life Issues Based on Christianity and Islam written by Ina Taylor. This publication can be accessed by clicking here.

All the above publications have been quality assured by WJEC.

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

• Details of all Specifications, Specimen Assessment Materials and Teachers Guide are available here
• New Specification B 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 UMS grade points for each Unit and the subject as a whole.

Information 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

 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.

WJEC Subject Discussion Board

This is an interactive forum for teachers and senior examiners. Teachers are welcome to post comments and questions which will be answered by senior examiners who have direct access to this link. Teachers can also offer suggestions for resources, web links which other colleagues might find useful. Click on the link here  to access this forum. You will need to register at the start of the process when the WJEC Subject Discussion Board page comes up.

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