Bishop Gore School

Welcome

As an innovative, imaginative, committed and successful department, we aim to inspire all students in Bishop Gore to become open minded, non-judgemental and independent thinkers. We provide opportunities for students to strive for high quality learning and achievement by producing teaching and resources of a very high standard.

We offer a totally non-confessional approach to the teaching of RS throughout the school, with the subject being explored critically and from a thoroughly academic perspective.

The department is staffed by four full-time specialists, highly qualified and with a wealth of experience, interest and expertise.

Religious Studies is statutory throughout the school and courses have been developed to provide opportunities for pupils to become involved in their own learning and explore the world and its population. The subject has a strong following at GCSE and AS/ A2 level, with results being outstanding. We are one of the highest achieving departments in Bishop Gore School.

Sociology can be followed at GCSE and AS/A2 level, where it is a popular subject. The syllabus offered allows pupils to engage in matters of significance and importance and helps them develop their own understanding of social interaction and experience.

Results: Summer 2010

Religious Studies A2 – 100% pass rate (A*-C)
Sociology A2 – 95% pass rate (A*-C)
Religious Studies GCSE - 90% pass rate (A*-C)
Sociology GCSE – 86% pass rate (A*-C)

Well done to all students and thank you to my hard working department for all their
continued effort and enthusiasm.

Any departmental issues or concerns, please contact me at the school.

Mrs J Harding-Richards (Head of Department)

Staff

Head of Department Mrs J Harding-Richards
Mr M Davies
Mrs L Diehl
Mrs H James

Religious Studies

RELIGIOUS STUDIES

• WJEC Specification B (Unit 1 & Unit 2)
• Year 10 Topics: Relationships, Is It Fair? Looking For Meaning, Our World.
• Year 11 Topics: Religion & Conflict, Religion & Medicine, Religious Expression,  Authority (Religion & State).
• Weekly homework; written work, research, preparation of presentations.
• Assessment; regular testing and evaluation of written work, as well as informal assessment within class.
• No coursework.
• One external exam to be sat in the summer of year 10, with a further external exam to be taken in the summer of year 11.

Short Course GCSE

• WJEC Specification B (Unit 1)
• Year 10 Topics: Relationships, Is It Fair? Looking For Meaning, Our World.
• Homework; limited and rare; revision for the end of each unit test.
• Assessment; formal and informal within class.
• No coursework.
• Exam to be taken in the summer of year 11.

RS Programme of Study: GCSE Full Course

RS Programme of Study: GCSE Short Course

Sociology

SOCIOLOGY

• WJEC GCSE (Full Course).

• Year 10 – Soc 1: Three Units:-

(a) Socialisation, Inequality & Research Methods.

(b) The Family.

(c) Education.

• Year 11 – Soc 2: Three Units:-

(a) Inequality, Power Socialisation & Research Methods.

(b) Power & Participation (Politics).

(c) Crime & Deviance.

• Assessment will be regular, with weekly homework set to include written work, preparation of presentations, reading, research etc.

• Students will be entered for Soc 1 in year 10 (equivalent to half of the GCSE) and Soc 2 in Year 11.

• There will be no coursework.

Programme of Study for Sociology

KS5

Religious Studies

Students who opt for RS at A Level follow two units in year 12 and two further units in year 13.

Year 12 work includes:
An introduction to ethics and philosophy. Students examine the meanings of right/ wrong, moral/ immoral, leading into an examination as to what influences our choices and ethical decisions.
An introduction to Buddhism. Students explore the foundations of this increasingly popular religion, including an examination of the life of the Buddha as well as the main beliefs and practices.

Year 13 work includes a continuation of one of the modules from year 12, depending on student interest. They also explore the synoptic module, which covers issues of life, death and life after death. Students will be given the broad topic that will be examined and much of the final term will be spent on perfecting their answers in preparation for the external exam.

Sociology

Students who opt for Sociology at A level will also follow two units in year 12 and two in year 13.

Year 12 programme of study includes:
A broad introduction to the academic discipline of Sociology, as well as an examination of the role of the family within our society.
An analysis of how Sociologists carry out their social research, including the methods they use. Also an examination of the role of education within our society.

Year 13 programme of study includes:
An introduction to crime and deviance. Who commits crime and why; why some people are more likely to get caught than others; who is more likely to be the victim of crime etc.
An exploration of how society provides different opportunities for different groups of people, social inequality and what can be done to overcome it.


In addition, all students in the sixth form at Bishop Gore will be expected to attend three annual KS5 focus days which will fulfil our statutory obligation to provide RE to all school students. Themes will include:

Religion and the media;
The existence of God;
The Holocaust;
The beliefs of the main faiths;
Science and religion
Medical Ethics and religion.