Religious Studies as an option subject
The results of opting for Theology at GCSE and at A Level are startling: life changing is not too strong a description in many cases. Departmental results have been consistently amongst the highest, if not the highest in the school in recent years. We are increasingly seeing larger proportions of our GCSE students opting for the subject at Sixth-form level and of these a growing number are going on to study the subject at undergraduate level. Last year Theology, or subjects related to the A-Level course, were the most frequently chosen by students applying to university from BMS. During the academic year 2008-2009, no fewer than 16 recent OBM were reading Theology or related subjects at university!
The GCSE course is split between two topic blocks: The Study of Islam as a World Religion, and of Christian Perspectives on Moral and Ethical Issues. Each area is delivered by a separate, dedicated specialist and consists of genuinely interesting and engaging areas into which you will dive during these first two years of external examination study.
Support during the course and in the run up to the final examinations is personal and tailored to maximise your grade at GCSE. Teaching delivery of the specification is complete by December of Year 11 allowing for a full revision of the subject, backed up by exam condition tests on a fortnightly basis. As all members of the department are examiners at GCSE, not only is the feedback from these tests realistic in terms of the assessment, but also your learning and exam technique are informed by the Examinations Board's very latest examination marking requirements.
…and it’s fun too!
At A-Level, the breadth of the topics decreases but this is more than matched by the intellectual challenge posed by the depth of academic enquiry. Academic essay writing and the development of research skills which will stand you in good stead as you move beyond the school environment are nurtured by the experienced staff at your disposal. Subject areas include, Science and Religion, Cosmology, Quantum Mechanics and the scientific as well as religious explanations for the origin of the universe, 'Authority and Scripture' within Religion and an increasingly focused study of Islam and Islamic issues. This Islamic work builds upon your work at GCSE (but is more than capable of standing alone for those who are new to the School or the Department). It's fair to say that it does remain fun right the way through.
In the final analysis, studying that which you enjoy and find interesting is not so much hard work, as it is finding enjoyment and having an interesting time. Reading the research for a piece of work is straightforward if you are engaged by the subject matter. If you can find it within yourself to be engaged, even marginally, by the events which are rocking the contemporary world, then the enthusiasm of the Departmental staff will allow you to harness that interest and apply it to the creation of not only a top grade winning school option, but a lifelong passion.
