At Stoke Newington School and Sixth Form we just don’t learn just about how many people are religious we learn many other aspects:

  • We understand other people’s beliefs with mutual respect
  • Understand how and why people view the world differently
  • Exploring the fundamental questions of how religion applies to family, life, peace & conflict and crime & punishment
  • Establishing where our student’s views and beliefs stand and how they apply it to their lives and community
  • Understand our values and beliefs

We believe that religion is an integral part of many people's lives and is often transferred into what we say, write and how we conduct our lives. At times religious practices and beliefs are portrayed publicly, for us our students need to understand these reporting’s in enabling them to appreciate what is happening and to embrace these times. As our communities are becoming more diverse, we must establish a religious literate, tolerant society with mutual respect. As a community religion enables greater community cohesion in the hope to reduce any indifferences. Religious Studies help student to respect themselves and establish what they own identity is. Furthermore, students understand and appreciate other views and reinforce their own rights and responsibilities. We respect and value those who do not identify with a particular group, those who may believe that there is more to life than material objects and having a spiritual belief is crucial. At times it can be difficult to define what we may define as spiritual; some connect this to a theist belief; some associate it to power wonder and apply it to nature and the universe. Whatever our schools and students’ beliefs we have established the importance of coming together and respecting each person’s beliefs and values.

KS4: Religious Studies AQA

The AQA GCSE specification in religious studies provides opportunities for candidates to follow a course that is coherent and that balances knowledge of core beliefs, teachings and practices of at least two religions, with an understanding of how they can be applied to philosophical and ethical studies.

The specification will:

develop learners’ knowledge and understanding of religions and non-religious beliefs, such as atheism and humanism develop learners’ knowledge and understanding of religious beliefs, teachings, practices, and sources of wisdom and authority, including through their reading of key religious texts, other texts, and scriptures of the religions they are studying develop learners’ ability to construct well-argued, well-informed, balanced and structured written arguments, demonstrating their depth and breadth of understanding of the subject provide opportunities for learners to engage with questions of belief, value, meaning, purpose, truth, and their influence on human life challenge learners to reflect on and develop their own values, beliefs and attitudes in the light of what they have learnt and contribute to their preparation for adult life in a pluralistic society and global community.

AQA GCSE Religious Studies takes a distinctive issues-based approach to the study of religious, philosophical and ethical studies in the modern world. It provides opportunities for learners to understand more about the world, the religious challenges it faces and their place within it. This GCSE course will deepen understanding of religions and their effects on society. It will develop learners’ competence in a wide range of skills and approaches and enable young people to become religiously informed and thoughtful, engaged citizens.