We follow OCR Religious Studies (Philosophy and Ethics).

You do not have to have studied Religious Studies at GCSE to do A-level.

The department has a wealth of experience teaching A-level, including one Senior Examiner for the Philosophy of Religion.  Most people who take this subject do not go on to the ministry or to be teachers!  An understanding of the ethical issues we cover is required in many professions… law, accountancy, banking, medicine, anything involving people, and so on.  The ability to think logically and analytically is a vital skill for all career paths.  Medical Ethics is covered in the Lower Sixth, making the subject a useful balance to those taking a scientific route in their studies.  Universities are often very impressed with candidates who have done Religious Studies because it shows they have the ability to think.

In each year girls attend an A level Study Day. Those most recently attended have been in Newcastle and Durham, but they sometimes travel to London or Manchester.

In Philosophy we look at:

• The early philosophical background – what sort of thought has got us to today?
• Arguments for the existence of God
• Arguments against the existence of God (e.g. evil, psychology, sociology)
• Life after death
• Religious Experience, miracles and ways in which people believe God reveals himself
• The language of religion and philosophy

In Ethics we look at:

• What we mean by ‘right’ and ‘wrong’
• How to decide how to act
• Are there any universal rules?
• Do we have a conscience?
• Are we free to make decisions about right and wrong?
• Medical Ethics – abortion, cloning, research, etc…
• Relational Ethics – from friendship to sex
• Social Ethics – the environment and war