We follow OCR Specification B (Philosophy and Ethics).

Many girls choose to study Religious Studies GCSE, being attracted by the skills of open-ended thinking and analysis that it offers as well as the vast opportunities for class discussion available! 

The topics studied are:

Philosophy

• The Nature of God – why do people believe in God?  What do they base their beliefs on?  How does God make himself known to the world? (If at all!)
• The Nature of Belief – how do different people respond to God?  How do they worship and pray?  Why are churches built the way they are?  What other symbols are important to Christians?
• Religion and Science – how were the universe and the world made?  Why are we here?  What’s the difference between us and animals?
• Death and the Afterlife – do we have souls?  Is there an afterlife?  Will we be judged? 
• Good and Evil – What is good and evil?  Is there a Devil?  Why is there evil and suffering in the world? Is there a right way to behave?

Ethics

• Human Relationships – marriage and divorce, men and women, sex and contraception.
• Medical Ethics – Abortion, fertility treatment, euthanasia and suicide, use of animals in medical research.
• Equality – Race and gender, attitudes towards other religions, forgiveness and reconciliation.
• Poverty and Wealth – the hungry, poor and diseased, the use of money.  Should we give to charity?  Are any occupations immoral?
• Peace and Justice – Can we say any war is acceptable?  How should we treat criminals?  What should we do about social injustice?