Religious Studies

1.Creation and Covenant

• How do we know about God?
• How should we read the Bible?
• Genesis 1&2 and Creation.
• Scientific theories about Creation.
• Catholic response to scientific theories.
• Humans and the rest of Creation.
• Human responsibility to others.
• Human responsibility to the world.
• The role of Prayer.

2.Prophecy and Promise

• How to navigate the Bible.
• Why is the Bible read in translation?
• The Bible as a library of books.
• The Hebrew Bible and the Old Testament.
• Importance of the Old Testament for Catholics.
• Scripture as ‘inspired’.
• Sacred scripture and sacred tradition.
• Scripture and the Magisterium.
• Scripture in the Mass.
• Scripture and the Rosary.

3.Galilee to Jerusalem

• The Incarnation
• Jesus, the Son of God.
• Arius’ teachings about Jesus.
• Jesus the Son of Man.
• Jesus the Christ and Son of David.
• Jesus, the Lord.
• The Trinity.
• Catholic worship and belief in the Trinity.
• How is Jesus the perfect human being?

4.Desert to Garden

• The Paschal Mystery.
• The Sacraments.
• The Last Supper.
• The Eucharist.
• The many names of the Eucharist.
• Jesus’ presence in the Eucharist.
• Mass and Sacrifice.
• The Structure of the Mass.
• How do Catholics carry Jesus into the world?
• Different Christian beliefs about the Eucharist.

5.To the Ends of the Earth

• St Luke.
• The Holy Spirit.
• The Holy Spirit in Jesus’ Life.
• The Story of Pentecost.
• The importance of Pentecost.
• Church teachings on the Holy Spirit.
• What is the Church?
• Sacrament of Confirmation.
• The importance of the Sacrament of Confirmation.

 6.Dialogue and Encounter

• Church Councils.
• The Council of Jerusalem.
• Christian Denominations.
• Ecumenism
• Introduction to World Religions.
• Introduction to Hinduism.
• Hindu Gods and Goddesses.
• Dharma, Karma and Reincarnation.
• Puja worship at the Temple.
• Hindu festivals.

1.Creation and Covenant

• The story of The Fall.
• The meaning of the Fall.
• Sin
• The Importance of God’s commands.
• Why have rules in the first place?
• Conscience
• The Sacrament of Baptism.
• Who should be Baptised?

2.Prophecy and Promise

• What is a Prophetic Text?
• How does Jeremiah fulfil the prophetic pattern?
• Prophecies - Call to repentance / Call to care for the poor.
• Prophecies - Warnings and promises / Images and Parables.
• Prophecies - A faithful few / God as judge of all nations.
• Why is John the Baptist important?
• How are lay people called to become witnesses of Christ?
• Advent and Prophecy.

3.Galilee to Jerusalem

• How should we read Scripture?
• The Kingdom of God.
• Jesus’ ministry encounters.
• Jesus and marginalised people.
• Jesus, gentiles and women.
• Parables
• Parables and Eschatology.
• The Miracles of Jesus.
• Jesus’ miracles over sickness.
• Jesus’ call to the Kingdom of God.
• The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.

4.Desert to Garden

• Why do we suffer?
• The meaning of suffering.
• Jesus – The Suffering Servant.
• Why did God allow Jesus to suffer?
• Lent
• Easter Triduum.
• Sacrament of Reconciliation.
• Importance of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

5.To the Ends of the Earth

• The Resurrection.
• The Empty Tomb.
• The Disciples reaction to the Resurrection.
• The central truth of the Christian faith.
• Do humans have a soul?
• What happens at the end of human life?
• Why is Baptism necessary?
• Catholic Funeral Rites.

6.Dialogue and Encounter

• Importance of the Second Vatican Council.
• Importance of Ecclesiam Suam.
• Is there more than one Catholic Church?
• The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.
• Introduction to Islam.
• Muhammad.
• The Qur’an.
• Muslim Worship and the Mosque.
• Five Pillars of Islam.

1.Vocation

• Gifts and Talents.
• Vocation
• Vocation in the Bible.
• Priesthood
• Religious Life.
• Why are fewer people joining religious life today?

2.Marriage and Family Life

• Love
• Sexual Attraction and Commitment.
• The Catholic Marriage Ceremony.
• Family Life and Parenthood.
• What makes a good marriage?
• Marriage breakdown and Divorce.

3.Islam

• Introduction to Islam.
• Muhammad
• The Qur’an.
• Muslim worship and the Mosque.
• The Five Pillars of Islam.
• Hajj

4.Pilgrimage

• Journey
• Places of Pilgrimage.
• Bernadette and the story of Lourdes.
• Lourdes
• Miracles: Biblical and Modern Day.
• Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.

5&6.GCSE Origins and Meaning.

• Creation ex-nihilo.
• Religious beliefs about the origins of the universe.
• Non-religious beliefs about the origins of the universe.
• Sanctity of Life.
• Abortion
• Creation story in Genesis 1&2.
• Humans and the rest of creation.
• Origins of scripture and literary forms.
• Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam.
• Tree of Life Apse.
• Imago Dei and Catholic Social Teaching.
• Inter-faith dialogue.
• Catholic charities.

RE GCSE Examination Board

The RE department has opted for the EDUQAS Examination Board as the one which most suits All Hallows pupils. For further details their website is www.eduqas.co.uk

Pupil’s study a full GCSE in RE which consists of:

• EDUQAS Route B Paper 1 – Foundational Catholic Theology (Year 9&10)
• EDUQAS Route B Paper 2 – Applied Catholic Theology (Year 11)
• EDUQAS Route B Paper 3 – Judaism (Year 10)

Examinations

• Pupils will sit two 1 hour 30 minute examinations for Paper 1 and Paper 2, both worth 37.5.% of their final grade.
• Pupils will also sit a 1 hour examination for Paper 3, worth 25% of their final grade.

Mock Examinations

• Pupils in Year 10 will sit a ‘mock’ examination in the summer term of Year 10.
• Pupils in Year 11 will sit a ‘mock’ examination in November of Year 11.

There are no tiered papers in RE and every pupil has full access to the whole range of number grades 9-11

Paper 1 – Foundational Catholic Theology – Content

Theme 1 – Origins and Meaning

Origins and Meaning Module Intent

• Creation – Ex-Nihilo
• Religious beliefs about the origin of the universe
• Non-religious views on origins of the universe and the Catholic/Christian response
• Beliefs and teachings about the sanctity of human life
• Religious and non-religious views on human life and Abortion
• Creation story in Genesis 1 and 2
• Beliefs about the relationship between humans and the rest of creation
• Origins of scripture and literary forms
• Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam
• Imagery in Christian Art
• Imago Dei and Catholic Social Teaching
• Inter-faith dialogue
• The work of Catholic charities

Theme 2 – Good and Evil

Good and Evil Module Intent

• Catholic perspectives on the origin of evil – Original Sin
• Different Christian and Jewish perspectives on the nature and origin of evil
• Different beliefs on God’s goodness and the goodness of creation
• Philosophical challenges posed by God’s goodness and the existence of evil & suffering
• The meaning of suffering: Christ’s suffering and Death
• Nature of the Trinity in the Nicene Creed and Bible
• Other beliefs about the Trinity: St Augustine and Judaism
• Meaning and significance of the Incarnation
• Importance of the Incarnation in response to the problem of evil
• The example and teaching of Jesus
• The existence of natural law, conscience and virtues
• Significance of sculpture and statues to Catholic worship and tradition
• The meaning and significance of pilgrimage for Catholics
• The Rosary as a reflection of the Incarnation

Paper 2 – Applied Catholic Theology – Content

Theme 3 – Life and Death

Life and Death Module Intent

• Catholic teaching on the meaning of death and the importance of dying well
• Catholic teaching on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide
• Contrasting views on Quality of Life vs Sanctity of Life
• Catholic belief about Life after Death
• Contrasting views about the end of personal existence
• Catholic teaching on Judgement, Heaven, Hell and Purgatory
• The nature of the magisterium
• The Second Vatican Council
• Sarcophagi and Eternal Life
• Paschal Candle and Resurrection
• Different forms of music used in worship to express Eternal Life
• The Funeral Rite
• Prayer in Catholic communities

 Theme 4 – Sin and Forgiveness

Sin and Forgiveness Module Intent

• The difference between Crime and Sin
• Aims of punishment
• Catholic teachings on Forgiveness
• Catholic teachings on Capital Punishment
• Other Christian teachings on Capital Punishment
• Salvation and the role of Grace and Free Will
• Christ’s Passion, Death and Resurrection
• The nature of the Church as One, Holy and Apostolic
• Mary as the model disciple
• The Church as the Body of Christ
• Sacred objects and architecture that represent salvation
• The Sacramental Nature of Reality
• The importance of the Eucharist for Catholics
• Mission and Evangelism

 Paper 3 – Judaism – Content

Beliefs and Teachings

Judaism Beliefs Module Intent

• God as One and Creator
• God as Lawgiver and Judge
• The Divine Presence
• The Messianic Age and the Messiah
• Covenant with Abraham
• Covenant with Moses
• Importance of the Ten Commandments
• Free Will and Mitzvot
• Sanctity of Life (Pikuach Nefesh)
• Life after Death, Judgement and Resurrection

 Practices

Judaism Practices Module Intent

• Synagogue Services (Shabbat Service, Amidah Prayer)
• Worship in the Home (Shema, Mezuzah, Shabbat, Siddur)
• Items worn for Worship (Kippah, Tallit, Tefillin)
• Functions of a Synagogue
• Features of a Synagogue
• Rituals: Birth Ceremonies (Naming Ceremony, Brit Milah)
• Rituals: Bar / Bat Mitzvah
• Rituals: Marriage Ceremony
• Rituals: Mourning Rituals
• Use of Tenakh and Talmud in Daily Life
• Dietary Laws
• Festivals: Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Pesach, Sukkot