GCSE (9-1)

Religious
Studies A
Faith and Practice in
the 21st Century

This draft qualification has not yet been accredited by Ofqual. It is published to enable teachers to have early sight of our
proposed approach to Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9 - 1) in Music (1MU0). Further changes may be required
and no assurance can be given at this time that the proposed qualification will be made available in its current form, or
that it will be accredited in time for first teaching in September 2016 and first award in 2018.

Specification
Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9 - 1) in Religious Studies A (1RA0)
First teaching from September 2016
First certification from 2018 Issue 1
Contents

1 Introduction 2
Why choose Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies A? 2
Supporting you in planning and implementing this qualification 3
Qualification at a glance 4

2 Subject content 7
Area of Study 1: Study of Religion 8
Area of Study 2: Study of Second Religion 24
Area of Study 3: Philosophy and Ethics 46
Area of Study 4: Textual Studies 57
Assessment Objectives 64

3 Administration and general information 65

Entries 65
Access arrangements, reasonable adjustments, special consideration and
malpractice 65
Student recruitment and progression 67

Appendix 1: The context for the development of this

qualification 71
Appendix 2: Transferable skills 73
Appendix 3: Command Words 74
Appendix 4: Codes 75
1 Introduction

Why choose Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies A?

We have listened to feedback from all parts of the religious education community, including
higher education. We have used this opportunity of curriculum change to redesign
qualifications so that students can use a wide range of concepts to confidently interpret,
contextualise and analyse the expressions of religions and world views they encounter. This
is one of two GCSE Religious Studies qualifications offered.

A specification to suit everyone – With our suite of two full course and two short course
GCSE Religious Studies specifications you can pick the one that meets the needs of all your
students.

A familiar approach – We have retained the aspects of our current specification and
assessments that you like, while adding new and exciting content.

Focus on chosen religion – We have structured the course to allow you to focus in depth
on the study of one religion (Catholic Christianity, Christianity or Islam).

Clear and coherent structure – We have designed our specification to allow you to
co-teach the full and short course, allowing you to deliver both courses to the full cohort.

Choice of religions and routes – Our qualification offers a choice of three primary religions
and seven ‘second’ religions, as well as a choice between a philosophy and ethics paper or a
textual study.

Helps develop a holistic understanding of religion – The new specification explores

religion and practice in the 21st century and encourages students to reflect on and engage
with fundamental questions.

Develops transferable skills for progression – Students will develop analytical and
critical thinking skills to enable them to present a wide range of well-informed and
reasonable arguments, aiding in progression to AS and A level study.

Accessible assessment – Our exam papers have been designed with a straightforward
structure and consistent use of command words in questions.

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Supporting you in planning and implementing this
qualification

Planning
● Our Getting Started guide gives you an overview of the new GCSE qualification to help
you to get to grips with the changes to content and assessment and to help you
understand what these changes mean for you and your students.
● We will give you an editable course planner and scheme of work that you can adapt to
suit your department.
● Our mapping documents highlight key differences between the new and current
qualifications.

Teaching and learning

There will be lots of free teaching and learning support to help you deliver the new
qualification, including:
● guidance documents
● exemplars
● a student guide
● materials for your options evenings.

Preparing for exams

We will also provide a range of resources to help you prepare your students for the
assessments, including marked exemplars of student work with examiner commentaries.

ResultsPlus
ResultsPlus provides the most detailed analysis available of your students’ exam
performance. It can help you identify the topics and skills where further learning would
benefit your students.

Get help and support

Our support line, Ask the expert and our online community will ensure you receive help and
guidance from us and that you can share ideas and information with other teachers. You can
sign up to receive e-newsletters from the subject advisor service to keep up to date with
qualification updates and product and service news.

The Religious Studies Team can be contacted by email:

TeachingReligiousStudies@pearson.com and by telephone: 0844 463 2817.

Learn more at qualifications.pearson.com

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Qualification at a glance

Content and assessment overview

The Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9–1) in Religious Studies A consists of three
externally-examined papers.

All students must complete:

● Paper 1: Area of Study 1 – Study of Religion (Catholic Christianity, Christianity
and Islam)
● Paper 2: Area of Study 2 – Study of Second Religion (Catholic Christianity, Christianity,
Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism and Sikhism).
Students must then complete one assessment from either:
● Paper 3: Area of Study 3 – Philosophy and Ethics (Catholic Christianity, Christianity
and Islam)
● Paper 4: Area of Study 4 – Textual Studies (Mark’s Gospel or The Qur’an)

Students must complete all assessments in May/June in any single year.

Paper 1: Area of Study 1 – Study of Religion (*Paper code: 1RA0/1A–1C)

Written examination: 1 hour and 45 minutes

50% of the qualification

102 marks

Content overview

Students must study all four content areas based upon their chosen religion.
● Beliefs and Teachings
● Practices
● Sources of Wisdom and Authority
● Forms of Expression and Ways of Life

Assessment overview

Students must select one religion from a choice of three religions (Catholic Christianity,
Christianity, Islam).
● Students must answer all questions.
● The assessment consists of four questions.

● The paper may include short open, open response and extended writing questions for
questions 1 to 4.
● The paper will assess spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPaG) and use of specialist
terminology and will contribute a minimum of 5% of marks towards the overall weighting
for this paper.

*See Appendix 4: Codes for a description of this code and all other codes relevant to this
qualification.

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Paper 2: Area of Study 2 – Study of Second Religion (*Paper code: 1RA0/2A–2G)

Written examination: 50 minutes

25% of the qualification

51 marks

Content overview

Students must study both content areas based on their chosen religion.
● Beliefs and Teachings

● Practices

Students must select one religion from a choice of seven (Catholic Christianity, Christianity,
Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism).

Students must select a different religion than that selected for Paper 1: Study of Religion.

Students who have studied Catholic Christianity or Christianity cannot take either of these
papers for their chosen second religion.
● Students must answer all questions.
● The assessment consists of two questions.
● The paper may include short open, open response and extended writing questions.
● The paper will assess spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPaG) and use of specialist
terminology and these will contribute a minimum of 5% of marks towards the overall
weighting for this paper.

Paper 3: Area of Study 3 – Philosophy and Ethics (*Paper code: 1RA0/3A–3C)

Written examination: 50 minutes

25% of the qualification

51 marks

Content overview

Students must study both content areas based on their chosen religion.
● Arguments for the Existence of God

● Religious Teachings on Relationships and Families in the 21st century

Students must select one religion from a choice of three religions (Catholic Christianity,
Christianity, Islam).

The chosen religion should be the same as that selected for Area of Study 1.
● Students must answer all questions.
● The assessment consists of two questions.

● The paper may include short open, open response and extended writing questions.

● The paper will assess spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPaG) and use of specialist
terminology and these will contribute a minimum of 5% of marks towards the overall
weighting for the qualification.

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Paper 4: Area of Study 4 – Textual Studies (*Paper code: 1RA0/4A and 4B)

Written examination: 50 minutes

25% of the qualification

51 marks

Content overview

Students must study both content areas based upon their chosen textual study.

Mark’s Gospel (4A)

● Who is Jesus?
● The Nature of Discipleship

OR
● The Qur’an (4B)
● Beliefs and Teachings of Islam
● Lives of the Prophets and others

Students must select one textual study from a choice of two (Mark’s Gospel, The Qur’an)
● Students must answer all questions.
● The assessment consists of two questions.
● The paper may include short open, open response and extended writing questions.
● The paper will assess spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPaG) and use of specialist
terminology and will contribute a minimum of 5% of marks towards the overall
weighting for the qualification.

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2 Subject content

Qualification aims and objectives

The aims and objectives of this qualification are to enable students to:
● develop their knowledge and understanding of religions and non-religious beliefs, such as
atheism and humanism
● develop their knowledge and understanding of religious beliefs, teachings, 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 their ability to construct well-argued, well-informed, balanced and structured
written arguments, demonstrating their depth and breadth of understanding of the subject
● engage with questions of belief, value, meaning, purpose, truth, and their influence on
human life
● reflect on and develop their own values, beliefs and attitudes in the light of what they
have learnt and will contribute to their preparation for adult life in a pluralistic society and
global community
● demonstrate knowledge and understanding of two religions

● demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key sources of wisdom and authority

including scripture and/or sacred texts, where appropriate, which support contemporary
religious faith
● understand the influence of religion on individuals, communities and societies
● understand significant common and divergent views between and/or within religions and
beliefs
● apply knowledge and understanding in order to analyse questions related to religious
beliefs and values
● construct well-informed and balanced arguments on matters concerned with religious
beliefs and values.

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Area of Study 1: Study of Religion

Area of Study 1 – Catholic Christianity

Overview
This area of study comprises a study in depth of Catholic Christianity as a lived religion in the
United Kingdom and throughout the world.

There are four sections: Beliefs and Teachings; Practices; Sources of Wisdom and Authority;
Forms of Expression and Ways of Life.

Students will be expected to study Catholic Christianity within the context of the wider British
society, the religious traditions of which are, in the main, Christian. Students should compare
and contrast the areas of belief and practice within Catholic Christianity with wider Christian
perspectives as outlined in the content below.
● Beliefs about the afterlife and their significance (1.8)*

● The practice and significance of worship (2.2)*.

Students should recognise that Catholic Christianity is one of the many religious traditions in
Great Britain which include Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism. This
knowledge may be applied throughout the assessment of the specified content.

Students should also recognise that within Catholic Christianity there may be more than one
perspective in the way beliefs and teachings are understood and expressed. Common and
divergent views within the wider Christian tradition in the way beliefs and teachings are
understood and expressed should be included throughout, including reference to Orthodox,
Protestant and other Christian traditions.

The significance and importance of the various beliefs and practices to Catholics today,
should be explored throughout the four sections.

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Section 1: Beliefs and Teachings

Students should have an understanding of:

1.1 The Trinity: the nature and significance of the Trinity as expressed in the Nicene Creed;
the nature and significance of the oneness of God; the nature and significance of each
of the Persons individually: God as the Father, Son and Holy Spirit; how this is
reflected in worship and belief in the life of a Catholic today.

1.2 Biblical understandings of God as a Trinity of Persons: the nature and significance of
God as a Trinity of Persons, including reference to the baptism of Jesus (Matthew 3:
13–17) and historical development of the doctrine of the Trinity, including reference to
the First Council of Nicaea and the First Council of Constantinople.

1.3 Creation: the nature and significance of the biblical account of Creation, including
Genesis 1–3; and how it may be understood in divergent ways in Christianity, including
reference to literal and metaphorical interpretations; the significance of the Creation
account for Catholics in understanding the nature and characteristics of God, especially
as Creator, benevolent, omnipotent and eternal.

1.4 The significance of the Creation account in understanding the nature of humanity: the
nature and significance of the nature of humanity being created in the image of God,
including reference to Genesis 1–3 and divergent understandings of humanity’s
relationship with Creation (dominion and stewardship); the implications of these beliefs
for Catholics today.

1.5 The Incarnation: Jesus as incarnate Son, the divine Word, including John 1, both fully
God and fully human; the scriptural origins of this belief, including John 1:1–18 and its
importance for Catholics today.

1.6 The events in the Paschal Mystery: Catholic teachings about the life, death,
resurrection and ascension of Jesus, including reference to Luke 24; the redemptive
efficacy of these events and their significance for Catholics today.

1.7 The significance of the life, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus for Catholic
beliefs about salvation and grace, including John 3:10–21 and Acts 4:8–12; the
implications and significance of these events for Catholic practice today.

1.8* Catholic beliefs about eschatology: life after death; the nature of resurrection,
judgment, heaven, hell and purgatory, including reference to John 11:17–27 and
2 Corinthians 5:1–10; divergent Christian beliefs about life after death, with reference
to purgatory and the nature of resurrection; why belief in life after death is important
for Catholics today.

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Section 2: Practices

Students should have an understanding of:

2.1 The sacramental nature of reality: Catholic teachings about how the whole of creation
manifests the presence of God; the meaning and effects of each of the seven
sacraments, including Catechism of the Catholic Church 1210–1211; the practice and
symbolism of each sacrament; how sacraments communicate the grace of God;
divergent Christian attitudes to sacraments, including reference to Orthodox and
Protestant Christianity.

2.2* Liturgical worship within Catholic Christianity: the nature and significance of the Mass
for Catholics, including its structure and the Eucharist as the ‘source and summit of
Christian life’, with reference to Lumen Gentium paragraph 7; divergent Christian
attitudes towards the practice and meaning of liturgical worship, including its
significance for Catholics and the less structured worship in evangelical Christian
denominations.

2.3 The funeral rite as a liturgical celebration of the Church: practices associated with the
funeral rite in the home, the church and the cemetery, including reference to 'Preparing
my funeral' by Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster; the aims of the funeral rite,
including communion with the deceased; the communion of the community and the
proclamation of eternal life to the community and its significance for Catholics.

2.4 Prayer as the ‘raising of hearts and minds to God’: the nature and significance of
different types of prayer; the Lord’s Prayer, including Matthew 6:5–14, set (formulaic)
prayers and informal (extempore) prayer; when each type might be used and why; the
importance of prayer and the importance for Catholics of having different types of
worship.

2.5 The role and importance of forms of popular piety: the nature and significance of the
Rosary, Eucharistic adoration and Stations of the Cross; how each of these might be
used and why; the importance of having different types of worship for Catholics
including reference to Catechism of the Catholic Church 1674–1676; divergent Christian
attitudes to these forms of piety.
2.6 Pilgrimage: the nature, history and purpose of Catholic pilgrimage; the significance of
the places people go on pilgrimage; divergent Christian understandings about whether
pilgrimage is important for Christians today, with specific reference to Jerusalem,
Lourdes, Rome, Walsingham and the Catechism of the Catholic Church 2691–2696.

2.7 Catholic Social Teaching: how Catholic Social Teaching reflects the teaching to show
love of neighbour; Catholic teaching on justice, peace and reconciliation, Evangelii
Gaudium paragraphs 182–237 - The inclusion of the poor in society; How these
teachings might be reflected in the lives of individual Catholics including reference to
Matt 25: 31 –46 (sheep and goats); the work of CAFOD, what it does and why.

2.8 Catholic mission and evangelism: the history and significance of mission and
evangelism for Catholics; divergent ways this is put into practice by the Church and
individual Catholics locally, nationally and globally, and how this fulfils the commission
of Jesus and teachings of the Church, including Evangelii Gaudium Chapter 5.

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Section 3: Sources of Wisdom and Authority

Students should have an understanding of:

3.1 The Bible: the development and structure of the Bible as the revealed Word of God:
the origins, structure and different literary forms of the Bible: Old Testament: law,
history, prophets, writings; and New Testament: gospels, letters; including divergent
Christian understandings about which books should be within the Bible with reference
to the Council of Trent.

3.2 Interpretation of the Bible: Catholic interpretation of the Bible and understanding of
the meaning of inspiration; divergent interpretations of the authority of the Bible
within Christianity: the literal Word of God, the revealed Word of God and as source
of guidance and teaching, including 2 Timothy 3:16 and Catechism of the Catholic
Church 105–108; the implications of this for Catholics today.

3.3 The magisterium of the Church: the meaning, function and importance of the
magisterium both conciliar and pontifical with reference to Catechism of the Catholic
Church 100; the magisterium as the living teaching office of the Church and authentic
interpreter of the affirmations of Scripture and Tradition, and why they are important
for Catholics today.

3.4 The Second Vatican Council: the nature, history and importance of the council; the
nature and significance of the four key documents for the Church and for Catholic
living: Dei Verbum, Lumen Gentium, Sacrosanctum Concilium and Gaudium et Spes

3.5 The Church as the Body of Christ and the People of God: the nature and significance
of the Church as the Body of Christ and the People of God, including Romans 12:4–6
and 1 Corinthians 12; why the Church as the Body of Christ and the People of God is
important for Catholics today; divergent Christian attitudes towards these.

3.6 The meaning of the four marks of the Church: the nature of the Church as one, holy,
catholic and apostolic including reference to the Nicene Creed and the First Council of
Constantinople; how the marks may be understood in divergent ways within
Christianity; why they are important for Catholics today

3.7 Mary as a model of the Church: the significance of Mary as a model of the Church –
joined with Christ in the work of salvation, as a model of discipleship and as a model
of faith and charity, including Luke 1:26–39 and Catechism of the Catholic Church
963–975; the implications of this teaching for Catholic life today.

3.8 Sources of personal and ethical decision making: the example and teaching of Jesus
as the authoritative source for moral teaching; Jesus as fulfilment of the Law,
including Matthew 5:17–24; divergent understandings of the place and authority of
natural law; virtue and the primacy of conscience; the divergent implications of these
sources of authority for Christians today.

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Section 4: Forms of Expression and Ways of Life

Students should have an understanding of:

4.1 The common and divergent forms of architecture, design and decoration of Catholic
churches: how they reflect belief, are used in, and contribute to, worship, including
reference to the Catechism of the Catholic Church 1179–1181.

4.2 The different internal features of a Catholic church including reference to Catechism
of the Catholic Church 1182–1186: the meaning and significance of the lectern,
altar, crucifix and tabernacle and how they express the importance of redemption
and facilitate Catholic worship.

4.3 The meaning and significance of sacred objects, including sacred vessels,
sarcophagi, and hunger cloths within Catholicism: the way these are used to express
belief, including Catechism of the Catholic Church 1161, and the divergent ways in
which they may be used in church and other settings.

4.4 The meaning and significance of paintings, fresco and drawings within Catholicism
with reference to two specific pieces and Catechism of the Catholic Church 2502–
2503: the divergent ways these are used to express belief by the artist and those
who observe the art, and the divergent ways in which paintings, frescos and
drawings may be used in church and other settings.

4.5 The meaning and significance of sculpture and statues with reference to Catechism
of the Catholic Church 2501: the way these are used to express belief by the artist
and those who observe the art, the way these are used to express belief, and the
divergent ways in which how sculptures and statues may be used in church and
other settings.

4.6 The purpose and use of symbolism and imagery in religious art: the cross, crucifix,
fish, ChiRho, dove, including Catechism of the Catholic Church 701, Eagle, Alpha
and Omega, symbols of the four evangelists; the way this symbolism is used to
express belief, and the divergent ways in which they may be used in church and
other settings.

4.7 The meaning and significance of drama: mystery plays, passion plays; the way
drama is used to express belief with reference to Catechism of the Catholic Church
2567, and the divergent ways in which drama may be used in church and other
settings.

4.8 The nature and use of traditional and contemporary styles of music in worship:
hymns, plainchant, psalms and worship songs including reference to Catechism of
the Catholic Church 2641; the way different music is used to express belief and the
divergent ways in which it may be used in church (including the Mass) and other
settings.

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Area of Study 1 – Christianity

Overview
This area of study comprises a study in depth of Christianity as a lived religion in the United
Kingdom and throughout the world.

There are four sections: Beliefs and Teachings; Practices; Sources of Wisdom and Authority;
Forms of Expression and Ways of Life.

Students will be expected to study Christianity within the context of the wider British society,
the religious traditions of which are, in the main, Christian.

Students should recognise that Christianity is one of the many religious traditions in Great
Britain which include Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism. This knowledge may
be applied throughout the assessment of the specified content. Students should compare and
contrast two areas of belief and practice within Christianity with one of these religions
practiced in Great Britain:
● Beliefs about the afterlife and their significance (1.6)*
● The practice and significance of worship (2.1)*.

Students should also recognise that within Christianity there may be more than one
perspective in the way beliefs and teachings are understood and expressed. Common and
divergent views within Christianity in the way beliefs and teachings are understood and
expressed should be included throughout, including reference to Catholic, Orthodox,
Protestant and other Christian traditions.

The significance and importance of the various beliefs and practices to Christians today
should be explored throughout the four sections.

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Section 1: Beliefs and Teachings

Students should have an understanding of:

1.1 The Trinity: the nature and significance of the Trinity as expressed in the Nicene
Creed; the nature and significance of the oneness of God; the nature and
significance of each of the Persons individually: including reference to
Matthew 3:13–17; how this is reflected in Christian worship and belief today.

1.2 The creation of the universe and of humanity: the biblical account of creation
and divergent ways in which it may be understood by Christians, including as
literal and metaphorical; the role of the Word and Spirit in creation including
John 1:1–18 and Genesis 1–3; the importance of creation for Christians today.

1.3 The Incarnation: the nature and importance of the person of Jesus Christ as
the incarnate Son of God; the biblical basis of this teaching, including
John 1:1–18 and 1 Timothy 3: 16 and its significance for Christians today.

1.4 The last days of Jesus’ life: the Last Supper, betrayal, arrest, trial, crucifixion,
resurrection and ascension of Jesus; the accounts of these within the Bible,
including Luke 22–24 and the significance of these events to understanding the
person of Jesus Christ.

1.5 The nature and significance of salvation and the role of Christ within salvation:
law, sin, grace and Spirit, the role of Christ in salvation, including John 3:10–21
and Acts 4:8–12; the nature and significance of atonement within Christianity
and its link to salvation.

1.6* Christian eschatology: divergent Christian teachings about life after death,
including the nature and significance of resurrection, judgment, heaven, and hell
and purgatory, with reference to the 39 Articles of Religion and Catholic
teachings; how beliefs about life after death are shown in the Bible, including
reference to 2 Corinthians 5:1–10 and divergent understandings as to why they
are important for Christians today.

1.7 The problem of evil/suffering and a loving and righteous God: the problems it
raises for Christians about the nature of God, including reference to omnipotence
and benevolence, including Psalm 103; how the problem may cause believers to
question their faith or the existence of God; the nature and examples of natural
suffering, moral suffering.

1.8 Divergent solutions offered to the problem of evil/suffering and a loving and
righteous God: biblical, theoretical and practical, including reference to
Psalm 119, Job, free will, vale of soul-making, prayer, and charity; the success
of solutions to the problem.

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Section 2: Practices

Students should have an understanding of:

2.1* Christian worship: liturgical and non-liturgical forms of worship, including

activities which are informal and individual, including reference to the Book of
Common Prayer; when each form might be used and why; divergent Christian
attitudes towards the practices, meaning and significance of liturgical and
non-liturgical forms of worship in Christian life today, with reference to
denominations which worship with less structure, such as some Pentecostal
churches.

2.2 The role of the sacraments in Christian life and their practice in two
denominations: the role of the sacraments/ordinance as a whole; the nature and
importance of the meaning and celebration of baptism and the Eucharist in at
least two denominations, including reference to the 39 Articles XXV-XXXVI;
divergent Christian attitudes towards the use and number of sacraments in
Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant traditions.

2.3 The nature and purpose of prayer: the nature of and examples of the different
types of prayer; set prayers; informal prayer and the Lord’s Prayer including
Matthew 6:5–14; when each type might be used and why; divergent Christian
attitudes towards the importance of each type of prayer for Christians today.

2.4 Pilgrimage: the nature, history and purpose of pilgrimage, including

interpretations of Luke 2:41–43; the significance of the places people go on
pilgrimage; divergent Christian teachings about whether pilgrimage is important
for Christians today, with specific reference to Catholic and Protestant
understandings; the activities associated with, and significance of, Jerusalem,
Iona, Taize and Walsingham.

2.5 Christian religious celebrations: the nature and history of Christian festivals in
the church year, including Christmas and Easter; the significance of celebrating
Advent and Christmas; the significance of celebrating Holy Week and Easter, with
reference to interpretations of 1 Corinthians 15:12–34.

2.6 The future of the Christian Church: Church growth, the history and purpose of
missionary and evangelical work including reference to Mark 16:9–20; divergent
ways this is put into practice by the Church locally, nationally and globally;
Christian attitudes to why evangelical work is important for the Church and for
individual Christians.

2.7 The role and importance of the local church in the local community: how and why
it helps the individual believer and the local area; local parish activities, including
interpretations of 1 Peter 5:1–4, ecumenism, outreach work, the centre of
Christian identity and worship through living practices.

2.8 The role and importance of the Church in the worldwide community: how and
why it works for reconciliation and the problems faced by the persecuted
Church; divergent Christian responses to teachings about charity, including
1 Corinthians 13 and Matthew 25:31–46; the work of Christian Aid, what it does
and why.

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Section 3: Sources of Wisdom and Authority

Students should have an understanding of:

3.1 The development and structure of the Bible and its unity as the Word of God: Old
Testament: law, history, prophets, writings; and New Testament: gospels,
letters; divergent interpretations of the authority of the Bible; the Bible as the
literal Word of God, the inspired Word of God, source of guidance and teaching
including 2 Timothy 3:16 and Dei Verbum Chapter 3; the implications of these
understandings for Christians today.

3.2 Divergent ways in which the Bible is used in the daily life of a Christian: informal
and formal worship with reference to the Book of Common Prayer, in the home,
in the Church, as a source of comfort and guidance.

3.3 Divergent responses to sources of personal and ethical decision making by

Christians, their significance and their inter-relationship: the use of the Bible, the
role of the individual, reason and personal conscience including the Catechism of
the Catholic Church 1777–1781.

3.4 Jesus as the Word of God including John 1 and a role model: beliefs and
teachings about Jesus as the Word of God; divergent understandings of his role in
modelling practices, including Mark 8:34–38; the divergent implications of Jesus’
example in showing love for others, forgiveness, servanthood, reconciliation and
social justice, and in establishing the Kingdom of God, the significance of these
beliefs for Christians today.

3.5 The Church as the Body of Christ: understandings of the significance of the
Church as the Body of Christ and the People of God: the nature of the Church as
the Body of Christ, including Romans 12:4–6 and 1 Corinthians 12; divergent
ways in which this belief is important for Christians today, including in
understanding the nature of the growth and diversity of the Church.

3.6 The growth and development of the Church: the establishment, development and
growth of the Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant and Pentecostal/Charismatic
Churches; changes in the Church as the Body of Christ including interpretations
of 1 Corinthians 12, the Filioque controversy and the Reformation; and divergent
understandings of the significance of the development of diverse denominations
within the Church today.

3.7 Leaders and leadership in the Church: the laity, ministers (priests/vicars/
pastors), bishops and the pope: the roles and significance of each, including
Ephesians 4:11–12 and Lumen Gentium Chapters 4 and 5, divergent ways in
which the leaders support and interact with one another in different
denominations; divergent understandings of the importance of each of these
leaders in different Christian traditions.

3.8 The role of women in the Church: divergent understandings of the basis of roles
within the Bible, including interpretations of 1 Corinthians 14:33–40 and Romans
16:1–16; the historical development of attitudes towards women as leaders, and
the different roles of women today in the Church and Christian life; divergent
approaches to the role of women in different denominations.

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Section 4: Forms of Expression and Ways of Life

Students should have an understanding of:

4.1 The meaning and significance of paintings and drawings within Christianity with
reference to two specific pieces and Catechism of the Catholic Church 2502–
2503: the way these are used to express belief by the artist and those who
observe the art, and the divergent ways in which paintings and drawings may be
used in church and other settings.

4.2 The divergent meaning, significance and purpose of icons within Christianity:
specific reference to the use of icons within Orthodox Christianity and in
denominations that may reject their use; the way icons are used to express
belief, as a focus for devotion including St Basil, Homily 24, and the divergent
ways in which they may be used in church and other settings.

4.3 The meaning and significance of sculpture for Christians: the way these are used
to express belief by the artist and those who observe the art, the way these are
used to express belief with reference to Catechism of the Catholic Church 2501;
the divergent ways in which sculptures and statues may be used in church and
other settings, for example in Roman Catholic and Anglican churches.

4.4 The purpose and use of symbolism and imagery in religious art: the Cross
including reference to Ephesians 2:10–19, fish, and, symbols of the four
evangelists; the way this symbolism is used to express belief, and the divergent
ways in which they may be used in church and other settings.

4.5 The meaning and significance of drama: mystery plays, passion plays. The way
drama is used to express belief and events including, for example Matthew 26–
28, and the divergent ways in which drama may be used in church and other
settings.

4.6 The purpose of literature in Christian life: fiction, non-fiction, and poetry including
examples from the writings of CS Lewis such as The Lion, the Witch and the
Wardrobe and The Great Divorce; the way different types of literature are used to
express belief, and the divergent ways in which they may be used in church and
other settings.

4.7 The nature and use of traditional styles of music in worship: including hymns,
psalms and worship songs; the way traditional styles of music are used to
express belief, including examples such as Gregorian Chant and reference to
Musicum Sacrum; the divergent ways in which they may be used in church and
other settings, when each might be used and why.

4.8 The nature and use of contemporary music in worship: including hymns and
worship songs; the way contemporary music is used to express belief, including
examples such as the work of Graham Kendrick and the Casting Crowns, the
divergent ways in which it may be used in Church and other settings, when it
might be used and why.

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Area of Study 1 – Islam

Overview
This area of study comprises a study in depth of Islam as a lived religion in the United
Kingdom and throughout the world.

There are four sections: Beliefs and Teaching; Practices; Sources of Wisdom and Authority;
Forms of Expression and Ways of Life.

Students will be expected to study Islam within the context of the wider British society, the
religious traditions of which are, in the main, Christian.

Students should compare and contrast two areas of belief and practice within Christianity
and Islam:
● Beliefs about the afterlife and their significance (1.8)*
● The practice and significance of worship (2.3)*.

Students should recognise that Islam is one of the many religious traditions in Great Britain,
which include Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism and Sikhism. This knowledge may be applied
throughout the assessment of the specified content. Students should also recognise that
within Islam there may be more than one perspective in the way beliefs and teachings are
understood and expressed. Common and divergent views within Islam in the way beliefs and
teachings are understood and expressed should be included throughout, including reference
to Sunni and Shi’a traditions.

The significance and importance of the various beliefs and practices to Muslims today should
be explored throughout the four sections.

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Section 1: Beliefs and Teachings

Students should have an understanding of:

1.1 The six Beliefs of Islam: their nature, history and purpose, including Kitab al-iman
1: 4; how they are understood and expressed in Sunni and Shi’a Muslim
communities today; the importance of these principles for Muslims.

1.2 The five roots of ‘Usul ad-Din in Shi’a Islam (Tawhid (oneness of Allah); 'Adl
(Divine Justice); Nubuwwah (Prophethood); Imamah (Successors to Muhammad)
and Mi'ad (The Day of Judgment and the Resurrection): the nature, history and
purpose of the five roots with reference to their Qur’anic basis, including Surah
112 (the oneness of Allah); the importance of these principles for different Shi’a
communities today, including Sevener and Twelver.

1.3 The nature of Allah: how the characteristics of Allah are shown in the Qur’an and
why they are important: Tawhid (oneness), including Surah 16: 35–36,
immanence, transcendence, omnipotence, beneficence, mercy, fairness and
justice, Adalat in Shi’a Islam.

1.4 RiSalah: the nature and importance of prophethood for Muslims including
Surah 2: 136; what the roles of prophets teach Muslims, exemplified in the lives
of Adam, Ibrahim, Isma’il, Musa, Dawud, Isa, Muhammad.

1.5 Muslim holy books (kutub): the nature, history, significance and purpose of
Muslim holy books with reference to the Qur’an, Tawrat (Torah), including Surah
5: 43–48; Surah, Zabur (Psalms), including Surah 4: 163–171; Injil (Gospel),
including Surah 53: 36, Sahifah (Scrolls); divergent Muslim views about the
importance of the holy books in their lives today.

1.6 Malaikah: the nature and importance of angels for Muslims; how angels Jibril,
Izra’il and Mika’il are shown in the Qur’an including Surah 19, 32: 11 and
2: 97–98, and their significance for Muslims today.

1.7 al-Qadr: the nature and importance of Predestination for Muslims; how al-Qadr
and human freedom relates to the Day of Judgement, including reference to
Sahih Al-Bukhari 78: 685; divergent understandings of predestination in Sunni
and Shi’a Islam; the implications of belief in al-Qadr for Muslims today.

1.8* Akhirah: Muslim teachings about life after death; the nature of judgement,
paradise and hell; how they are shown in the Qur’an, including Surah 17: 49–72;
divergent ways in which Muslims teachings about life after death affect the life of
a Muslim today.

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Section 2: Practices
Students should have an understanding of:

2.1 Ten Obligatory Acts of Shi’a Islam: their nature, history and purpose of the Ten
Obligatory Acts; the diversity of practice and importance of Ten Obligatory Acts
for Shi’a Muslims today; their basis in the Qur’an, including reference to Surah 9:
71–73; divergent understandings of these principles within Sunni Islam, including
links with the Five Pillars.

2.2 Shahadah as one of the Five Pillars: the nature, role and significance of Shahadah
for Sunni and Shi’a Muslims, including reference to Surah 3: 17–21; why reciting
Shahadah is important for Muslims, and its place in Muslim practice today.

2.3* Salah as one of the Five Pillars including reference to Surah 15: 98–99 and
29: 45: the nature, history, significance and purpose of Salah for Sunni and Shi’a
Muslims, including different ways of understanding them; how Salah is performed
including ablution, times, directions, movements and recitations, in the home and
mosque and Jummah prayer.

2.4 Sawm as one of the Five Pillars: the nature, role, significance and purpose of
fasting during Ramadan including Surah 2: 183–185; those who are excused
from fasting and why; the significance of the Night of Power: the nature, history
and purpose of the Night of Power; why Laylat al-Qadr is important for Muslims
today.

2.5 Zakah as one of the Five Pillars and Khums: the nature, role, significance and
purpose of Zakah and khums including Surah 9: 58–60 and 8: 36–42; why Zakah
is important for Sunni Muslims; why khums is important for Shi’a Muslims; the
benefits of receiving Zakah or khums.

2.6 Hajj as one of the Five Pillars: the nature, role, origins and significance of Hajj,
including Surah 2: 124–130; 22: 25–30; how Hajj is performed and why Hajj is
important for Muslims; benefits and challenges from attending Hajj for Muslims.

2.7 Jihad: the origins, meaning and significance of jihad in Islam; divergent
understandings of jihad within Islam, including the difference between lesser and
greater jihad; the conditions for declaration of lesser jihad, including reference to
Surah 2: 190–194 and 22: 39; the importance of jihad in the life of Muslims.

2.8 The nature, origins, activities, meaning and significance of the celebration/
commemoration of Id-ul-Adha, with reference to Surah 37: 77–111, and Id-ul-
Fitr in Sunni Islam with reference to their place within Shi’a Islam; and Id-ul-
Ghadeer, with reference to Hadith and the interpretation of Surah 5: 3, and
Ashura in Shi’a Islam with reference to their place within Sunni Islam.

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Section 3: Sources of Wisdom and Authority

Students should have an understanding of:

3.1 The Qur’an: the revelation and compilation of the Qur’an including Surah 53:
4–18; its significance and authority within Islam today; divergent ways in which
the Qur’an is used in the daily life of a Muslim: informal and formal worship, in
the home, in the mosque, as a source of teaching and guidance.

3.2 The Prophet Muhammad: events in the life of the Prophet including teaching and
authority, including his call, work in Makkah and Madinah, the hijrah; the
significance of these events and the Prophet Muhammad for Muslims today
including Surah 48: 26–29.

3.3 The Seal of the Prophets, Surah 33: 36–47: Muhammad’s role as 'seal of the
Prophets'; the final prophet; fulfilling the teachings of all other prophets, and as a
role model to Muslims today; the significance of Muhammad as seal of the
prophets and a role model today.

3.4 The divergent understandings of the significance of the family of the Prophet
Muhammad: including Caliph/Imam Ali (Ahl-ul-Bayt) in Sunni and Shi’a Islam and
interpretations of Surah 33: 32-34, the family of the Prophet in Ismaili Islam; and
the implications for questions of authority and the origins of the split between
Sunni and Shi’a Islam.

3.5 The development and structure of the Hadith as a record of the Sunnah of the
Prophet Muhammad: the structure and compilation of the Hadith, including isnad
and matn; divergent understandings of their authority and significance within
Sunni and Shi’a Islam today, including reference to Sahih Al-Bukhari, Sahih
Muslim, and the Four Books.

3.6 Shari’ah Law: how it is agreed upon and the use of analogy (qiyas) and
consensus (ijma), including interpretations of Surah 4: 115; its divergence of use
by the main schools of Sunni and Shi'a Islam; specific examples showing links
between the Qur’an, Hadith, and Shari’ah; divergent understandings of the role
and significance of judges (qadis) and scholars (the 'ulema) as sources of
authority: the establishment of judges and scholars; examples of their rulings;
the significance of authority within Islam today.

3.7 The imam in Shi’a Islam, including reference to the Hadith of the pond of
Khumm: history, major teachings and actions, divergent understandings of their
contribution to Islam in Sunni and Shi’a thought, the doctrine of Nass, the hidden
imam; the inerrancy and intercession of imams; the significance of the imam for
different forms of Shi’a Islam today.

3.8 The imam in Sunni Islam: the origins, nature, role of the imam in Sunni Islam,
including Sahih Al-Bukhari 73: 34–37; divergent understandings of their
contribution to individual and community life in Sunni and Shi’a thought.

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Section 4: Forms of Expression and Ways of Life

Students should have an understanding of:

4.1 Muslim identity: divergent ways in which Muslim identity is expressed through the
ummah in the ceremonies to welcome a child; expectations about modesty,
including divergent interpretations of dress Surah 24: 30–31; the origins,
categories and significance of the laws of halal and haram; how they are applied
to laws of food and drink, and riba (usury).

4.2 The mosque: divergent understandings of importance of the mosque, the design
and different religious features of mosques, and furniture and objects in the
mosque and their use in the various activities that take place, including reference
to Sahih Al-Bukhari 2: 39.

4.3 The divergent understandings of the use, significance, meaning and purpose of
calligraphy within Islam, including as a rejection of idolatry with reference to
Surah 21: 51–62: the way it is used to express belief, and how it may be used in
the mosque and other settings.

4.4 Shi’a obligatory actions: understandings and implications of encouraging others

to do good (Amr bil Maruf) including Surah 42: 23–26; discouraging others from
doing bad (Nahy Anil Munkar), Tawallah and Tabarra; Love for the Prophet
Muhammad and his family and disdain for their enemies; divergent
understandings of their importance for Muslims in different traditions of Islam
today.

4.5 The significance of Sufi ways of life: the origins of Sufism, orders, saints, and
practice today. Sufi practices of fasting, and dhikr (remembrance) with reference
to Surah 13: 28: the nature, history, importance and purpose fasting and dhikr
and divergent understandings of their importance for Muslims today.

4.6 The role and significance of a Sheikh/teacher in Sufism: the divergent

understandings of the importance of a relationship with a teacher, the purpose of
the teacher; the history, teachings and contributions of teachers: al-Ghazālī, such
as in his work Revival of Religious Sciences, outlining the Qur’anic basis of
Sufism, ibn al-‘Arabi and Rābi‘a al-‘Adawiyya.

4.7 The divergent understandings of use, significance, meaning and purpose of

dance, music and poetry within Islam with specific reference to Sufism: the way
these are used to express belief, as a devotional act, and how they may be used
in other settings; divergent interpretations of the use of dance and music in
Islam, including their rejection by some and interpretations of Sahih al-Bukhari
15: 70 and 69: 494.

4.8 The work of one named Muslim charity working for relief of poverty and suffering
in the United Kingdom, what it does and why, including reference to sadaqah and
Surah 2: 271–274.

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Assessment information

Paper 1: Area of Study 1 – Study of Religion

● First assessment: May/June 2018.
● The assessment is 1 hour and 45 minutes.
● The assessment is out of 102 marks.

● Students must select one religion from a choice of three. (Catholic Christianity,
Christianity and Islam)
● Students must answer all sections and all questions.
● The paper may include short open, open response and extended writing questions.

● The paper will assess spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPaG) and use of specialist
terminology and these will contribute a minimum of 5% of marks towards the overall
weighting for this paper.

Synoptic assessment
Synoptic assessment requires students to work across different parts of a qualification and to
show their accumulated knowledge and understanding of a topic or subject area.

Synoptic assessment enables students to show their ability to combine their skills, knowledge
and understanding with breadth and depth of the subject.

Synopticity will be assessed where students are required to bring together their knowledge
and understanding of religion from across the course of study.

Sample assessment materials

Sample papers and mark schemes can be found in the Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2
GCSE (9–1) in Religious Studies A Sample Assessment Materials (SAMs) document.

Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Religious Studies A –

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Area of Study 2: Study of Second Religion

Area of Study 2 – Catholic Christianity

Overview
This area of study comprises a study in depth of Catholic Christianity as a lived religion in the
United Kingdom and throughout the world.

There are two sections: Beliefs and Teachings; Practices.

Students will be expected to study Catholic Christianity within the context of the wider British
society, the religious traditions of which are, in the main, Christian. Students should compare
and contrast the areas of belief and practice within Catholic Christianity with wider Christian
perspectives as outlined in the content below.
● Beliefs about the afterlife and their significance (1.8)*
● The practice and significance of worship (2.2)*.

Students should recognise that Catholic Christianity is one of the many religious traditions in
Great Britain, which also include Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism. This
knowledge may be applied throughout the assessment of the specified content.

Students should also recognise that within Catholic Christianity there may be more than one
perspective in the way beliefs and teachings are understood and expressed. Common and
divergent views within the wider Christian tradition in the way beliefs and teachings are
understood and expressed should be included throughout, including reference to Orthodox,
Protestant and other Christian traditions.

The significance and importance of the various beliefs and practices to Catholics today should
be explored throughout the two sections.

24 Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Religious Studies A –

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Section 1: Beliefs and Teachings

Students should have an understanding of:

1.1 The Trinity: the nature and significance of the Trinity as expressed in the Nicene
Creed; the nature and significance of the oneness of God; the nature and
significance of each of the Persons individually: God as the Father, Son and Holy
Spirit; how this is reflected in worship and belief in the life of a Catholic today.

1.2 Biblical understandings of God as a Trinity of Persons: the nature and significance
of God as a Trinity of Persons including reference to the baptism of Jesus
(Matthew 3:13–17) and historical development of the doctrine of the Trinity,
including reference to the First Council of Nicaea and the First Council of
Constantinople.

1.3 Creation: the nature and significance of the biblical account of Creation including
Genesis 1–3; and how it may be understood in divergent ways in Christianity,
including reference to literal and metaphorical interpretations; the significance of
the Creation account for Catholics in understanding the nature and characteristics
of God, especially as Creator, benevolent, omnipotent and eternal.

1.4 The significance of the Creation account in understanding the nature of

humanity: the nature and significance of the nature of humanity being created in
the image of God including reference to Genesis 1–3 and divergent
understandings of humanity’s relationship with Creation (dominion and
stewardship); the implications of these beliefs for Catholics today.

1.5 The Incarnation: Jesus as incarnate Son, the divine Word including John 1, both
fully God and fully human; the scriptural origins of this belief, including John 1:1–
18 and its importance for Catholics today.

1.6 The events in the Paschal Mystery: Catholic teachings about the life, death,
resurrection and ascension of Jesus, including reference to Luke 24; the
redemptive efficacy of these events and their significance for Catholics today.

1.7 The significance of the life, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus for
Catholic beliefs about salvation and grace including John 3:10–21 and Acts 4:8–
12; the implications and significance of these events for Catholic practice today.

1.8* Catholic beliefs about eschatology: life after death; the nature of resurrection,
judgement, heaven, hell and purgatory, including reference to John 11:17–27
and 2 Corinthians 5:1–10; divergent Christian beliefs about life after death with
reference to purgatory and the nature of resurrection; why belief in life after
death is important for Catholics today.

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Section 2: Practices

Students should have an understanding of:

2.1 The sacramental nature of reality: Catholic teachings about how the whole of
creation manifests the presence of God; the meaning and effects of each of the
seven sacraments including Catechism of the Catholic Church 1210–1211; the
practice and symbolism of each sacrament; how sacraments communicate the
grace of God; divergent Christian attitudes to sacraments, including reference to
Orthodox and Protestant Christianity.

2.2* Liturgical worship within Catholic Christianity: the nature and significance of the
Mass for Catholics including its structure and the Eucharist as the ‘source and
summit of Christian life’ with reference to Lumen Gentium paragraph 7;
divergent Christian attitudes towards the practice and meaning of liturgical
worship, including its significance for Catholics and the less-structured worship in
evangelical Christian denominations.

2.3 The funeral rite as a liturgical celebration of the Church: practices associated with
the funeral rite in the home, the church and the cemetery, including reference to
'Preparing my funeral' by Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster; the aims
of the funeral rite including communion with the deceased; the communion of the
community and the proclamation of eternal life to the community and its
significance for Catholics.

2.4 Prayer as the ‘raising of hearts and minds to God’: the nature and significance of
different types of prayer; the Lord’s Prayer including Matthew 6:5–14, set
(formulaic) prayers and informal (extempore) prayer; when each type might be
used and why; the importance of prayer and the importance for Catholics of
having different types of worship.

2.5 The role and importance of forms of popular piety: the nature and significance of
of the Rosary, Eucharistic adoration and Stations of the Cross; how each of these
might be used and why; the importance of having different types of worship for
Catholics including reference to Catechism of the Catholic Church 1674–1676;
divergent Christian attitudes to these forms of piety.
2.6 Pilgrimage: the nature, history and purpose of Catholic pilgrimage; the
significance of the places people go on pilgrimage; divergent Christian
understandings about whether pilgrimage is important for Christians today with
specific reference to Jerusalem, Lourdes, Rome, Walsingham and the Catechism
of the Catholic Church 2691–2696.

2.7 Catholic Social Teaching: how Catholic Social Teaching reflects the teaching to
show love of neighbour; Catholic teaching on justice, peace and reconciliation
Evangelii Gaudium paragraphs 182–237 – The inclusion of the poor in society;
How these teachings might be reflected in the lives of individual Catholics; the
work of CAFOD, what it does and why.

2.8 Catholic mission and evangelism: the history and significance of mission and
evangelism for Catholics; divergent ways this is put into practice by the Church
and individual Catholics locally, nationally and globally, and how this fulfils the
commission of Jesus and teachings of the Church including Evangelii Gaudium
Chapter 5.

26 Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Religious Studies A –

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Area of Study 2 – Christianity

Overview
This area of study comprises a study in depth of Christianity as a lived religion within with
the United Kingdom and throughout the world.

There are two sections: Beliefs and Teachings; Practices.

Students will be expected to study Christianity within the context of the wider British society,
the religious traditions of which are, in the main, Christian.

Students should recognise that Christianity is one of the many religious traditions in Great
Britain, which include Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism. This knowledge
may be applied throughout the assessment of the specified content. Students should
compare and contrast two areas of belief and practice within Christianity with one of these
religions practiced in Great Britain:
● Beliefs about the afterlife and their significance (1.6)*
● The practice and significance of worship (2.1)*.

Students should also recognise that within Christianity there may be more than one
perspective in the way beliefs and teachings are understood and expressed. Common and
divergent views within Christianity in the way beliefs and teachings are understood and
expressed should be included throughout including reference to Catholic, Orthodox,
Protestant and other Christian traditions.

The significance and importance of the various beliefs and practices to Christians today
should be explored throughout the two sections.

Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Religious Studies A –

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Specification – Issue 1 – July 2016 © Pearson Education Limited 2016
Section 1: Beliefs and Teachings

Students should have an understanding of:

1.1 The Trinity: the nature and significance of the Trinity as expressed in the Nicene
Creed; the nature and significance of the oneness of God; the nature and
significance of each of the Persons individually: including reference to Matthew
3:13–17; how this is reflected in Christian worship and belief today.

1.2 The creation of the universe and of humanity: the biblical account of creation and
divergent ways in which it may be understood by Christians, including as literal
and metaphorical; the role of the Word and Spirit in creation, including John 1:1–
18 and Genesis 1–3; the importance of creation for Christians today.

1.3 The Incarnation: the nature and importance of the person of Jesus Christ as the
incarnate Son of God; the biblical basis of this teaching, including John 1:1–18 and
1 Timothy 3:16 and its significance for Christians today.

1.4 The last days of Jesus’ life: the Last Supper, betrayal, arrest, trial, crucifixion,
resurrection and ascension of Jesus; the accounts of these within the Bible,
including Luke 22–24 and the significance of these events to understanding the
person of Jesus Christ.

1.5 The nature and significance of salvation and the role of Christ within salvation:
law, sin, grace and Spirit, the role of Christ in salvation including John 3:10–21
and Acts 4:8–12; the nature and significance of atonement within Christianity and
its link to salvation.

1.6* Christian eschatology: divergent Christian teachings about life after death,
including the nature and significance of resurrection, judgement, heaven, and hell
and purgatory, with reference to the 39 Articles of Religion and Catholic teachings;
how beliefs about life after death are shown in the Bible, including reference to 2
Corinthians 5:1–10 and divergent understandings as to why they are important for
Christians today.

1.7 The problem of evil/suffering and a loving and righteous God: the problems it
raises for Christians about the nature of God, including reference to omnipotence
and benevolence including Psalm 103; how the problem may cause believers to
question their faith or the existence of God; the nature and examples of natural
suffering, moral suffering.

1.8 Divergent solutions offered to the problem of evil/suffering and a loving and
righteous God: biblical, theoretical and practical including reference to Psalm 119,
Job, free will, vale of soul-making, prayer, and charity; the success of solutions to
the problem.

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Section 2: Practices

Students should have an understanding of:

2.1* Christian worship: liturgical and non-liturgical forms of worship including activities
which are informal and individual, including reference to the Book of Common
Prayer; when each form might be used and why; divergent Christian attitudes
towards the practices, meaning and significance of liturgical and non-liturgical
forms of worship in Christian life today, with reference to denominations which
worship with less structure, such as some Pentecostal churches.

2.2 The role of the sacraments in Christian life and their practice in two
denominations: the role of the sacraments/ordinance as a whole; the nature and
importance of the meaning and celebration of baptism and the Eucharist in at least
two denominations, including reference to the 39 Articles XXV–XXXVI; divergent
Christian attitudes towards the use and number of sacraments in Orthodox,
Catholic and Protestant traditions.

2.3 The nature and purpose of prayer: the nature of and examples of the different
types of prayer; set prayers; informal prayer and the Lord’s Prayer, including
Matthew 6:5–14; when each type might be used and why; divergent Christian
attitudes towards the importance of each type of prayer for Christians today.

2.4 Pilgrimage: the nature, history and purpose of pilgrimage, including interpretations
of Luke 2:41–43; the significance of the places people go on pilgrimage; divergent
Christian teachings about whether pilgrimage is important for Christians today with
specific reference to Catholic and Protestant understandings; the activities
associated with, and significance of, Jerusalem, Iona, Taize and Walsingham.

2.5 Christian religious celebrations: the nature and history of Christian festivals in the
church year including Christmas and Easter; the significance of celebrating Advent
and Christmas; the significance of celebrating Holy Week and Easter with reference
to interpretations of 1 Corinthians 15:12–34.

2.6 The future of the Christian Church: Church growth, the history and purpose of
missionary and evangelical work including reference to Mark 16:9–20 and John 20:
21-22; divergent ways this is put into practice by the Church locally, nationally and
globally; Christian attitudes to why evangelical work is important for the Church
and for individual Christians.

2.7 The role and importance of the local church in the local community: how and why
it helps the individual believer and the local area; local parish activities including
interpretations of 1 Peter 5:1–4, ecumenism, outreach work, the centre of
Christian identity and worship through living practices.

2.8 The role and importance of the Church in the worldwide community: how and why
it works for reconciliation and the problems faced by the persecuted Church;
divergent Christian responses to teachings about charity including 1 Corinthians 13
and Matthew 25:31–46; the work of Christian Aid, what it does and why.

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Area of Study 2 – Islam

Overview
This area of study comprises a study in depth of Islam as a lived religion in the United
Kingdom and throughout the world.

There are two sections: Beliefs and Teachings; Practices.

Students will be expected to study Islam within the context of the wider British society, the
religious traditions of which are, in the main, Christian.

Students should compare and contrast two areas of belief and practice within Christianity
and Islam:
● Beliefs about the afterlife and their significance (1.8)*
● The practice and significance of worship (2.3)*.

Students should recognise that Islam is one of the many religious traditions in Great Britain,
which include Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism and Sikhism. This knowledge may be applied
throughout the assessment of the specified content. Students should also recognise that
within Islam there may be more than one perspective in the way beliefs and teachings are
understood and expressed. Common and divergent views within Islam in the way beliefs and
teachings are understood and expressed should be included throughout, including reference
to Sunni and Shi’a traditions.

The significance and importance of the various beliefs and practices to Muslims today should
be explored throughout the two sections.

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Section 1: Beliefs and Teachings

Students should have an understanding of:

1.1 The six Beliefs of Islam: their nature, history and purpose, including Kitab
al-iman 1: 4; how they are understood and expressed in Sunni and Shi’a Muslim
communities today; the importance of these principles for Muslims.

1.2 The five roots of ‘Usul ad-Din in Shi’a Islam (Tawhid (oneness of Allah); 'Adl
(Divine Justice); Nubuwwah (Prophethood); Imamah (Successors to Muhammad)
and Mi'ad (The Day of Judgment and the Resurrection): the nature, history and
purpose of the five roots with reference to their Qur’anic basis, including Surah
112 (the oneness of Allah); the importance of these principles for different Shi’a
communities today including Sevener and Twelver.

1.3 The nature of Allah: how the characteristics of Allah are shown in the Qur’an and
why they are important: Tawhid (oneness), including Surah 16: 35–36,
immanence, transcendence, omnipotence, beneficence, mercy, fairness and
justice, Adalat in Shi’a Islam.

1.4 RiSalah: the nature and importance of prophethood for Muslims, including
Surah 2: 136; what the roles of prophets teach Muslims, exemplified in the lives of
Adam, Ibrahim, Isma’il, Musa, Dawud, Isa, Muhammad.

1.5 Muslim holy books (kutub): the nature, history, significance and purpose of Muslim
holy books with reference to the Qur’an, Tawrat (Torah), including Surah 5: 43–
48; Surah, Zabur (Psalms), including Surah 4: 163–171; Injil (Gospel), including
Surah 53: 36, Sahifah (Scrolls); divergent Muslim views about the importance of
the holy books in their lives today.

1.6 Malaikah: the nature and importance of angels for Muslims; how angels Jibril,
Izra’il and Mika’il are shown in the Qur’an, including Surah 19, 32: 11 and
2: 97–98, and their significance for Muslims today.

1.7 al-Qadr: the nature and importance of Predestination for Muslims; how al-Qadr
and human freedom relates to the Day of Judgement, including reference to Sahih
Al-Bukhari 78: 685; divergent understandings of predestination in Sunni and Shi’a
Islam; the implications of belief in al-Qadr for Muslims today.

1.8* Akhirah: Muslim teachings about life after death; the nature of judgment, paradise
and hell; how they are shown in the Qur’an including Surah 17: 49–72; divergent
ways in which Muslims teachings about life after death affect the life of a Muslim
today.

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Section 2: Practices

Students should have an understanding of:

2.1 Ten Obligatory Acts of Shi’a Islam: their nature, history and purpose of the Ten
Obligatory Acts; the diversity of practice and importance of Ten Obligatory Acts for
Shi’a Muslims today; their basis in the Qur’an including reference to Surah 9: 71–
73; divergent understandings of these principles within Sunni Islam including links
with the Five Pillars.

2.2 Shahadah as one of the Five Pillars: the nature, role and significance of Shahadah
for Sunni and Shi’a Muslims, including reference to Surah 3: 17–21; why reciting
Shahadah is important for Muslims, and its place in Muslim practice today.

2.3* Salah as one of the Five Pillars including reference to Surah 15: 98–99 and 29: 45:
the nature, history, significance and purpose of Salah for Sunni and Shi’a Muslims,
including different ways of understanding them; how Salah is performed, including
ablution, times, directions, movements and recitations, in the home and mosque
and Jummah prayer.

2.4 Sawm as one of the Five Pillars: the nature, role, significance and purpose of
fasting during Ramadan including Surah 2: 183–185; those who are excused from
fasting and why; the significance of the Night of Power: the nature, history and
purpose of the Night of Power; why Laylat al-Qadr is important for Muslims today.

2.5 Zakah as one of the Five Pillars and khums: the nature, role, significance and
purpose of Zakah and khums, including Surah 9: 58–60 and 8: 36–42; why Zakah
is important for Sunni Muslims; why khums is important for Shi’a Muslims; the
benefits of receiving Zakah or khums.

2.6 Hajj as one of the Five Pillars: the nature, role, origins and significance of Hajj,
including Surah 2: 124–130; 22: 25–30; how Hajj is performed and why Hajj is
important for Muslims; benefits and challenges from attending Hajj for Muslims.

2.7 Jihad: the origins, meaning and significance of jihad in Islam; divergent
understandings of jihad within Islam, including the difference between lesser and
greater jihad; the conditions for declaration of lesser jihad, including reference to
Surah 2: 190–194 and 22: 39; the importance of jihad in the life of Muslims.

2.8 The nature, origins, activities, meaning and significance of the celebration/
commemoration of Id-ul-Adha, with reference to Surah 37: 77–111, and Id-ul-Fitr
in Sunni Islam with reference to their place within Shi’a Islam; and Id-ul-Ghadeer,
with reference to Hadith and the interpretation of Surah 5: 3, and Ashura in Shi’a
Islam with reference to their place within Sunni Islam.

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Area of Study 2 – Buddhism

Overview
This area of study comprises a study in depth of Buddhism as a lived religion within the
United Kingdom and throughout the world.

There are two sections: Beliefs and Teachings; Practices.

Students will be expected to study Buddhism within the context of the wider British society,
the religious traditions of which are, in the main, Christian.

Students should compare and contrast two areas of belief and practice within Christianity
and Buddhism:
● Beliefs about the afterlife and their significance (1.5)*
● The practice and significance of worship (2.6)*.

Students should recognise that Buddhism is one of the many religious traditions in Great
Britain, which include Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism. This knowledge may be applied
throughout the assessment of the specified content. Students should also recognise that in
Buddhism there may be more than one perspective in the way beliefs and teachings are
understood and expressed. Common and divergent views within Buddhism in the way beliefs
and teachings are understood and expressed should be included throughout, including
reference to Theravada and Mahayana traditions.

The significance and importance of the various beliefs and practices to Buddhists today
should be explored throughout the two sections.

Section 1: Beliefs and Teachings

Students should have an understanding of:

1.1 The life of the Buddha: the nature and history of the events in the life of the
Buddha and why they are important to Buddhists today; including ancestry, birth,
princely life, marriage, the Four Sights, including Buddhavamsa XXVI, the
enlightenment of the Buddha and founding of the Sangha.

1.2 Dhamma: The nature and different meaning of dhamma – dependent

origination/conditionality; the nature and importance of paticca-samuppada and
the Three Marks of Existence, including reference to the Story of Nagasena and the
Chariot in the Milinda Panha: suffering – dukkha, anicca – no fixed self and anatta
– soul or essence; the implications of belief in dhamma for Buddhists today.

1.3 First Noble Truth, including reference to the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta: the
nature of dukkha; Buddhist teachings about suffering; the different types of
suffering as pain, fabrication and change; the importance of suffering for Buddhists
today.

1.4 Second Noble Truth: the nature of samudaya – the causes of suffering, including
reference to Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta, the Three Poisons; Buddhist
teachings about the causes of suffering – Sermon at Benares, and how they are
represented in the Wheel of Life; divergent understandings of the Wheel of Life,
with reference to Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism.

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Students should have an understanding of:

1.5* Third Noble Truth, including reference to the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta: the
nature of nirodha and the cessation of tanha; Buddhist teachings about the ending
of desire; the nature of the cycle of samsara; different understandings of nibbana
and enlightenment and their importance for Buddhists today.

1.6 Fourth Noble Truth, including reference to the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta: the
nature of The Middle Way – magga; Buddhist teachings about the Eightfold Path
leading to nibbana; the Threefold Way: the nature, purpose and importance of sila
(ethics), samadhi (meditation) and panna (wisdom); divergent understandings of
the importance Eightfold Path and the Threefold Way for Buddhist life today.

1.7 Human life: divergent Buddhist understandings of the nature and importance of
The Five Khandas (aggregates), including the Khandha Sutta; divergent Buddhist
understandings of the nature and importance of sunnata, tathagatagarbha,
Buddha-nature; divergent Buddhist understandings of the nature and importance
of Arahant and Bodhisattva Ideals; divergent Buddhist understandings of the
nature and history of Buddhahood and the Pure Land.

1.8 Buddhist ethical teachings: divergent Buddhist understandings of the nature,

purpose and importance of kamma, including Dhammapada 181–187 and the
Khuddakapatha, merit and rebirth, karuna (compassion), metta (loving kindness),
pancha sila (the five precepts) and the paramitas (six perfections); the divergent
applications of each of these ethical teachings in Buddhist life today.

Section 2: Practices

Students should have an understanding of:

2.1 Meditation: the nature, purpose and significance of meditation in Buddhism; the
different types of meditation: samatha (concentration), metta bhavana (loving
kindness) and vipassana (insight); meditative practices, including mindfulness
breathing and zazen, divergent understanding of the nature and importance of
visualisation of the Buddha and Bodhisattvas, including Amitāyus Meditation
Sutra; how the different practices are used by Mahayana and Theravada Buddhists
and the benefits from their use.

2.2 Chanting: the nature, purpose and role of chanting in Buddhism as a devotional
practice and to gain mental concentration, including Dhammapada 1–2,
confidence and joy; the divergent understandings of the importance of chanting in
Buddhist life today, with reference to Theravada Buddhism, including Tiratana:
Dhammapada 190, and Mahayana Buddhism, including Nam Myoho Renge Kyo.

2.3 Mantra recitation: divergent understandings of the nature, purpose, role and
importance of mantra recitation with reference to Theravada Buddhism, including
Namo Buddhaya ("Homage to the Buddha"), and Mahayana Buddhism; the nature
and purpose of using sacred syllables, devotional articles, offerings and mala
beads, and why they are used in different schools of Buddhism.

2.4 Features of Buddhist places of worship: the divergent nature, history and design of
Buddhist places of worship including temples, gompas, viharas and shrines in
Theravada, Mahayana and Triratna Buddhism; how and why the places of worship
are used, including reference to the shrine room, shrine facing east, and the
library, showing the importance learning, including reference to the Kimsila Sutta.

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Students should have an understanding of:

2.5 How and why objects of devotion are used within different Buddhist places of
worship, buddharupas, including reference to Vakkali Sutta, shrine, Bodhi tree;
divergent understandings of why devotional objects are important in Buddhism
today.

2.6* Puja: The nature and purpose of puja in the vihara and the home, including
reference to Mangala Sutta; examples of the different types; when each type
might be used and why; the importance of having different types of worship and
their use in different Buddhist contexts.

2.7 Death and mourning rituals and ceremonies: the divergent celebration and
significance of the ceremonies in Buddhist communities and to Buddhists; the
distinct significance of the rituals associated with death and mourning in
Theravada communities and in Japan and Tibet, with reference to the Tibetan
Book of the Dead.

2.8 Festivals and retreats: the divergent nature, history, purpose and importance of
festivals and retreats in Buddhism; divergent understandings of the origins,
meaning and features of celebration of specific festivals and retreats, including
Wesak, Vassa/Rain Retreat and Kathina, with reference to the Anapanasati Sutta,
and Uposatha days in Theravada Buddhism; Hanamatsuri and Obon (Japanese),
Parinibbana Day in Mahayana Buddhism, and Lama Tsong Khapa Day in Tibet.

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Area of Study 2 – Hinduism

Overview
This area of study comprises a study in depth of Hinduism as a lived religion in the United
Kingdom and throughout the world.

There are two sections: Beliefs and Teachings; Practices.

Students will be expected to study Hinduism within the context of the wider British society,
the religious traditions of which are, in the main, Christian.

Students should compare and contrast two areas of belief and practice within Christianity
and Hinduism:
● Beliefs about the afterlife and their significance (1.5)*
● The practice and significance of worship (2.4)*.

Students should recognise that Hinduism is one of the many religious traditions in Great
Britain, which include Buddhism, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism. This knowledge may be
applied throughout the assessment of the specified content. Students should also recognise
that within Hinduism there may be more than one perspective in the way beliefs and
teachings are understood and expressed. Common and divergent views within Hinduism in
the way beliefs and teachings are understood and expressed should be included throughout,
including reference to Shaivism and Vaishnavism.

The significance and importance of the various beliefs and practices to Hindus today should
be explored throughout the two sections.

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Section 1: Beliefs and Teachings

Students should have an understanding of:

1.1 The nature of Brahman: the nature of Brahman as spirit, ultimate reality or
absolute truth; how the characteristics of Brahman are shown in Hindu scriptures,
including Katha Upanishad 2.2.6–8.

1.2 The nature and importance of understanding Brahman as Nirguna Brahman and
Saguna Brahman: how Nirguna Brahman and Saguna Brahman are shown in Hindu
scripture, for example Nirguna – Taittiriya Upanishad 2.7.1–2 and Saguna – Rig
Veda 1.154.1–2; the nature and importance of Vaikuntha (spiritual worlds);
divergent ways in which belief in each may be expressed in the life of Hindus
today.

1.3 Three aspects of the divine – Brahman, Antaryami and Bhagavan; the nature and
significance of the divine as Brahman (everywhere and non-personal), Antaryami
(within the heart) and Bhagavan (beyond, as a personal loving God); how the
three aspects are shown in Hindu scriptures, including Mundaka Upanishad 2.1;
why belief in the three aspects of the divine are important in Hindu life and for
religious pluralism today.

1.4 Manifestations of the Divine: the nature and importance of how the deities are
shown in Hindu scriptures; avatars and murti; the nature and role of male deities:
divergent understandings of the importance of Vishnu (including Rig Veda 1.22)
and Shiva; the nature and role of the female force, Shakti, including Parvati and
Lakshmi.

1.5* The nature of the individual and life within Hinduism: the nature and importance of
the atman (eternal self), karma, the cycle of samsara, moksha; divergent Hindu
understandings of the nature of the individual and life, including interpretations of
Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 4.4; why beliefs about the atman, karma, samsara and
moksha are important for Hindus today.

1.6 The purpose of human life for Hindus: the nature and significance of the four aims
of life (Purusharthas) – dharma, artha, kama and moksha; the nature and
significance of sanatana dharma (eternal law), including Bhagavad Gita 3.35; the
nature and significance of varnashrama dharma (duties according to materialistic
situation in life).

1.7 Hindu responses to suffering, knowledge and ignorance: Hindu teachings about
suffering, knowledge and ignorance, such as ahimsa, respect, empathy,
mind/sense control, humility, and love, including Mahabharata 5:39; divergent
Hindu understandings as to why there is suffering, knowledge and ignorance for
Hindus today.

1.8 Hindu cosmology: the nature of the Hindu cosmology as shown in Hindu scriptures,
including Rig Veda 10:129; the nature and importance of the cycle of four ages
(yugas), including descriptions of the Kali Yuga in the Mahabharata, many worlds
and their diverse inhabitants; the nature and divergent understandings of the
importance of the concepts of prakriti (matter), tri-guna (three qualities) and
maya (illusion).

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Section 2: Practices

Students should have an understanding of:

2.1 The nature and purpose of Hindu yoga: the nature and purpose of different forms
of yoga: karma yoga (action), jnana yoga (knowledge), astanga/raja yoga
(meditation) and bhakti yoga (devotion); examples of when each form of yoga
might be used, how and why; the importance of having different types of yoga;
reference to Bhagavad Gita 6.44–47.

2.2 Focuses of worship and representations of the divine: the nature, purpose and
importance of different ways of worshipping, including worshipping one god
(personal or non-personal) or many deities, gurus and holy places (land, hills,
rivers and sacred plants and animals); the scriptural basis for the different
focuses of worship and representations of the divine in worship, including
interpretations of Bhagavad Gita 6.20–31

2.3 The importance of Hindu places of worship: the nature, features of use and
purpose of worship in different places, including in the temple, in the home,
outside, including shrines and festival celebration and in the space of the heart,
with reference to interpretations of Bhagavad Gita 9.13–27; the benefits for
Hindus of having different places to worship in.

2.4* The nature and purpose of prayer in the temple and the home: the nature,
features of use and purpose of the different forms of worship, including
meditation, puja, havan, darshan, arti, bhajan, kirtan and japa with reference to
interpretations of Bhagavad Gita 6.44–47; divergent understandings of the
benefits for Hindus of having different forms of worship.

2.5 Hindu sacred festivals: the nature, history, purpose and significance of Hindu
sacred festivals; the origins and meaning of specific festivals, including Diwali,
Holi, Navratri Dussehra, Ram Navami, Ratha-yatra, Janmashtami, and Raksha
Bandhan, including interpretations of Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 1.3.28.

2.6 Hindu pilgrimage: the nature, history and purpose of Hindu pilgrimages; the
significance of the places Hindus go on pilgrimage; divergent understandings of
why pilgrimage may, or may not be, important for Hindus today; the nature,
features, history and importance of pilgrimage to the Ganges, including
interpretations of Rig Veda 10.75, Vrindavana and Varanasi.

2.7 Hindu environmental projects: divergent understandings of the nature, purpose

and significance of environmental care for Hindus; the importance of care for
rivers and sacred places for Hindus; how Hindus care for the environment,
examples of what they do and why, including reference to cow protection,
including interpretations of Rig Veda 10.87.16–19.

2.8 Hindu charity work: the nature and purpose of charity for Hindus; Hindu
teachings about charity; the work of one named Hindu charity working to
promote wellbeing, social inclusion and women’s rights, what it does and why,
including interpretations of Bhagavad Gita 3:10–12.

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Area of Study 2 – Judaism

Overview
This area of study comprises a study in depth of Judaism as a lived religion in the United
Kingdom and throughout the world.

There are two sections: Beliefs and Teachings; Practices.

Students will be expected to study Judaism within the context of the wider British society,
the religious traditions of which are, in the main, Christian.

Students should compare and contrast two areas of belief and practice within Christianity
and Judaism:
● Beliefs about the afterlife and their significance (1.8)*
● The practice and significance of worship (2.4)*.

Students should recognise that Judaism is one of the many religious traditions in Great
Britain, which include Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam and Sikhism. This knowledge may be
applied throughout the assessment of the specified content. Students should also recognise
that within Judaism there may be more than one perspective in the way beliefs and
teachings are understood and expressed. Common and divergent views within Judaism in the
way beliefs and teachings are understood and expressed should be included throughout
including reference to Orthodox, Reform and Liberal traditions.

The significance and importance of the various beliefs and practices to Jews today should be
explored throughout the two sections.

Section 1: Beliefs and Teachings

Students should have an understanding of:

1.1 The nature of the Almighty: how the characteristics of the Almighty are shown in
the Torah, and why they are important in Jewish life today, including One,
Creator, Law-Giver and Judge, including reference to Genesis 2.

1.2 The nature and importance of Shekhinah: how the divine presence is shown in
the Torah and why it is important, including interpretations of 2 Chronicles 7:1–3;
the divergent understandings of Shekhinah found in different forms of Orthodox
Judaism and the importance of them for Jews today.

1.3 The nature and purpose of the Messiah: how messiahship is shown in the
scriptures including Jeremiah 23:5–8; the nature and significance of the
Messianic Age and the Jewish responsibility to bring it about; divergent
understandings of the Messiah in different forms of Orthodox and Reform Judaism
and the importance of them for Jewish people today.

1.4 The Covenant at Sinai: the nature and history of the Covenant at Sinai (the Ten
Commandments), including Exodus 20; the role and significance of Moses in the
Covenant at Sinai; divergent understandings of how and why the Decalogue is
important in Jewish life today.

1.5 The covenant with Abraham and his descendants: the nature and history of the
Abrahamic covenant; the role of Abraham in the covenant, including Genesis 17;
why the Promised Land covenanted to Abraham and his descendants is important
for Jews today.

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Students should have an understanding of:

1.6 Sanctity of life: the nature and importance of Pikuach Nefesh (primacy of life);
why human life is holy by Jewish people; how life is shown as special and taking
precedence over everything, including Talmud Yoma 83–84; divergent
understandings of how and why the principle of Pikuach Nefesh is applied by Jews
today.

1.7 Moral principles and the Mitzvot: the nature and importance of the Mitzvot,
including reference to the Mishneh Torah of Maimonides: Sefer Madda; the
importance of the relationship between keeping the Mitzvot and free will; the
Mitzvot between humans and the Almighty, and between humans; divergent
understandings of the importance of the Mitzvot between the Almighty and
humans, and between humans, for Jewish life today.

1.8* Jewish beliefs about life after death: divergent Jewish understandings of the
nature and significance of life after death, including reference to different forms
of Orthodox and Reform Judaism; Jewish teachings about life after death,
including interpretations of Ecclesiastes 12; the nature of resurrection and
judgement; why belief in life after death may be important for Jews today.

Section 2: Practices
Students should have an understanding of:

2.1 The nature and purpose of Jewish public acts of worship: the nature, features and
purpose of Jewish public worship, including interpretations of Psalm 116:12–19;
the nature, features and importance of synagogue services for the Jewish
community and the individual.

2.2 The Tenakh and the Talmud: the nature, features, purpose and significance of the
Tenakh (the written law) and Talmud (the oral law) for Jews in daily life today,
with reference to Perkei Avot 2; the nature and purpose of Jewish laws: food
laws, kashrut, including kosher, and treifah and the separation of dairy and meat,
including reference to Deuteronomy 14:3–10; the divergent implications of the
Jewish food laws for Jews today.

2.3 The nature and purpose of prayer in the home and of private prayer: the nature,
features and purpose of prayer three times a day; the importance of having
different forms of prayers, including interpretations of Psalm 55:16–23.

2.4* The nature and importance of the Shema and the Amidah (the standing prayer);
when the Shema and the Amidah might be used, how and why, including
reference to the Mezuzah; the importance of having the Shema and the Amidah
for Jews today, including reference to Deuteronomy 6:4.

2.5 The importance of ritual for Jews today: the nature, features and purpose of the
birth, marriage, Bar and Bat Mitzvah ceremonies, including interpretations of
Genesis 21:1–8 and Leviticus 12; the nature, purpose and importance of
mourning ceremonies; the distinct importance of the funeral, shiva, avelut and
yahrzeit for Jews today; divergent understandings of the importance of each
ritual for different forms of Orthodox and Reform Judaism today.

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Students should have an understanding of:

2.6 The nature, features, history and purpose of celebrating Shabbat: the nature,
features and purpose of the celebration of Shabbat in the home and in the
synagogue, including interpretations of Exodus 31:12–18; why the celebration of
Shabbat is important for the Jewish community and the individual today.

2.7 Jewish festivals: the nature, history, purpose and significance of Jewish festivals;
the origins and meaning of specific festivals, including Rosh Hashanah, Yom
Kippur, Pesach, Shavuot and Sukkot, including interpretations of Leviticus 23
(Rosh Hashanah); divergent understandings of why festivals are important to
different forms of Orthodox and Reform Judaism today.

2.8 Features of the synagogue: the nature, history and purpose of the different
design of the synagogues in Liberal, Reform and Orthodox Judaism, including
facing Jerusalem, layout of seating the Ark and the bimah and with reference to
Proverbs 14:28; how and why the synagogue is used by the different
communities, including reference to Exodus 27:20–21; how and why objects of
devotion are used within the synagogues, including a yad, Torah Scroll, ner tamid
and menorah.

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Area of Study 2 – Sikhism

Overview
This area of study comprises a study in depth of Sikhism as a lived religion in the United
Kingdom and throughout the world.

There are two sections: Beliefs and Teachings; Practices.

Students will be expected to study Sikhism within the context of the wider British society,
the religious traditions of which are, in the main, Christian.

Students should compare and contrast two areas of belief and practice within Christianity
and Sikhism:
● Beliefs about the afterlife and their significance (1.4)*
● The practice and significance of worship (2.5)*.

Students should recognise that Sikhism is one of the many religious traditions in Great
Britain, which include Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism. This knowledge may be
applied throughout the assessment of the specified content. Students should also recognise
that within Sikhism there may be more than one perspective in the way beliefs and teachings
are understood and expressed. Common and divergent views within Sikhism in the way
beliefs and teachings are understood and expressed should be included throughout, including
reference to Khalsa and non-Khalsa Sikhs.

The significance and importance of the various beliefs and practices to Sikhs today should be
explored throughout the two sections.

42 Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Religious Studies A –

Specification – Issue 1 – July 2016 © Pearson Education Limited 2016
Section 1: Beliefs and Teachings

Students should have an understanding of:

1.1 The nature of God: how the characteristics of God are shown in the Mool Mantar,
Guru Granth Sahib 1, and why the characteristics are important and why the Mool
Mantar is significant for Sikhs.

1.2 God as Creator: the nature and importance of God as creator (Karta Purakh) for
Sikhs; Sikh teachings on God as creator, including Guru Granth Sahib 12 and 94.

1.3 The nature of human life: the purpose and significance of life as an opportunity to
unite with God; Sikh understandings of why uniting with God is important; how
uniting with God will affect their lives, including Guru Granth Sahib 12.

1.4* Sikh beliefs about life after death: the nature of karma, rebirth and mukti
(liberation); how they are shown in the Guru Granth Sahib, including reference to
Guru Granth Sahib 2 and 78; divergent understandings of how and why karma,
rebirth and mukti are important for Sikh life today.

1.5 Purpose of life: the nature and importance of being gurmukh (God-centred) not
manmukh (self-centred) and the elimination of haumai – (ego/pride), including
reference to Guru Granth Sahib 125 and 226; what actions make a gurmukh Sikh;
divergent understandings of why being gurmukh and eliminating haumai is
important in Sikh life today.

1.6 The oneness of humanity: how the equality of all humans is shown in the Guru
Granth Sahib, including Guru Granth Sahib 349, in stories from the lives of the
Gurus, including the example of Mai Bhago, and the appointment of women as
teachers, and in Sikh life today; how and why complete equality of men and
women is important for Sikhs today.

1.7 Sewa (service to others): the nature of sewa, including tan, man and dhan; the
origins and purpose of sewa and its importance in the development of Sikhism,
including Guru Granth Sahib 26; divergent understandings of the practice and
importance of sewa in Sikh life today in reflecting the priority of service to others.

1.8 Sangat: the nature and history of the sangat; divergent understandings of why the
sangat is important for Sikhs, including Guru Granth Sahib 1316; the concept of
Sat Sangat and divergent understandings of its significance for Sikhs; problems for
Sikhs living without a sangat.

Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Religious Studies A –

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Specification – Issue 1 – July 2016 © Pearson Education Limited 2016
Section 2: Practices

Students should have an understanding of:

2.1 Features of the gurdwara: the nature, history and purpose of the design of the
Gurdwara as the ‘Door/Gate of the Guru’, including Rahit Maryada Chapters 4–6;
how and why objects of devotion are used within the gurdwara: Guru Granth
Sahib, Takht, Chanani, Chaur, the langar hall, four doors, and the Nishan Sahib;
divergent understandings of the importance of these features in Sikh life today.

2.2 The gurdwara: the role and importance of the gurdwara within the Sikh
community, including reference to Guru Granth Sahib 1391; activities that take
place within the gurdwara and why; the nature and importance of visiting Sikh
historical gurdwaras: the Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar (the Golden Temple).

2.3 Langar: the history of langar including Guru Granth Sahib 967; the nature and
purposes of langar; the significance of langar for Sikhs today, especially as an
expression of sewa.

2.4 Nam Japna – Meditating on the name of God: the nature and significance of Nam
Japna; diverse ways in which the Nam Japna is used in the gurdwara and in Sikh
daily life, including Guru Granth Sahib 1142.

2.5* Prayer, including reference to Guru Granth Sahib 305: the nature, role and
purpose of prayer in the home; the different types of prayer; when prayer might
take place and why; the importance of having different prayers.

2.6 Akhand path (continuous 48-hour reading of the Guru Granth Sahib): the nature,
history, role and purpose of the akhand path, including reference Rahit Maryada
Chapter 7; how and why Sikhs might take part in the akhand path: why the
akhand path is important for the Sikh community and for individual Sikhs.

2.7 Gurpurbs and commemorations: divergent understandings of the nature, history

and purpose of gurpurbs and commemorations; why they are important for Sikhs
today; the origins and meaning gurpurbs, including Guru Nanak’s birthday,
Vaisakhi, including reference to the account of the events found in Gurbilas
Patshahi 10, Divali: the origins and meaning of commemorations, including the
martyrdom of Guru Arjan and Guru Tagh Bahadur Ji.

2.8 Birth and naming rituals and ceremonies: the celebration and significance of Naam
Karan and Hukamnama; the significance of Amrit sanskar (the initiation ceremony)
for Sikh families, including reference to the Rahit Maryada Chapters 11 and 13;
divergent understandings of these ceremonies between khalsa and non-khalsa
Sikhs; the significance of the names Singh and Kaur in the naming and Amrit
ceremonies, and for Sikh identity today.

44 Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Religious Studies A –

Specification – Issue 1 – July 2016 © Pearson Education Limited 2016
Assessment information

Paper 2: Area of Study 2 – Study of Second Religion

● First assessment: May/June 2018.
● The assessment is 50 minutes.
● The assessment is out of 51 marks.

● Students must select one religion from a choice of seven. (Catholic Christianity,
Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism).
● Students must answer all sections and all questions.
● The paper may include short open, open response and extended writing questions.

● The paper will assess spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPaG) and use of specialist
terminology and these will contribute a minimum of 5% of marks towards the overall
weighting for this paper.

Synoptic assessment
Synoptic assessment requires students to work across different parts of a qualification and to
show their accumulated knowledge and understanding of a topic or subject area.

Synoptic assessment enables students to show their ability to combine their skills, knowledge
and understanding with breadth and depth of the subject.

Synopticity will be assessed where students are required to bring together their knowledge
and understanding of religion from across the course of study.

Sample assessment materials

Sample papers and mark schemes can be found in the Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2
GCSE (9–1) in Religious Studies A Sample Assessment Materials (SAMs) document.

Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Religious Studies A –

45
Specification – Issue 1 – July 2016 © Pearson Education Limited 2016
Area of Study 3: Philosophy and Ethics

Area of Study 3 - Catholic Christianity

Overview
This area of study comprises a study in depth of aspects of Philosophy and Ethics in the
context of Catholic Christianity as a lived religion within the United Kingdom and throughout
the world.

There are two sections: Arguments for the Existence of God; Religious Teachings on
Relationships and Families in the 21st Century.

The significance and importance of the various beliefs, issues and practices to Catholics
today should be explored throughout the two sections. This should include reference to how
the Bible informs a Christian’s understanding of the topics and how approaches to the issues
are underpinned by philosophical arguments and ethical theory as applicable.

Students will be expected to study Catholic Christianity within the context of the wider British
society, the religious traditions of which are, in the main, Christian. Students should
recognise that Catholic Christianity is one of the many religions and world views in Great
Britain, which include Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Sikhism and non-religious views
such as Humanism and atheism. This knowledge may be applied throughout the assessment
of the specified content.

Students should compare and contrast the areas of ethics and/or philosophy within Catholic
Christianity with wider Christian perspectives and non-religious views as outlined in the
content below.

Students should also recognise that within Catholic Christianity there may be more than one
perspective in the way beliefs and teachings are understood and expressed. Common and
divergent views within the wider Christian tradition in the way beliefs and teachings are
understood and expressed should be included throughout, including reference to Orthodox,
Protestant and other Christian traditions.

46 Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Religious Studies A –

Specification – Issue 1 – July 2016 © Pearson Education Limited 2016
Section 1: Arguments for the Existence of God

Students should have an understanding of:

1.1 Revelation as proof of the existence of God: the significance of Jesus Christ as the
culmination of God’s revelation; what the revelation of Jesus Christ shows about
the nature of God for Catholics, including reference to Hebrews 1:1–4.

1.2 Visions as proof of the existence of God: the nature and importance of visions for
Catholics; biblical and non-biblical examples of visions, including Joan of Arc and
Genesis 15 and Matthew 17:1–13; reasons why they might lead to belief in God
and Catholic responses to non-religious arguments (including atheist and
Humanist) which maintain that visions are hallucinations and provide no proof that
God exists.

1.3 Miracles as proof of the existence of God: the nature and importance of miracles
for Catholics; biblical and non-biblical examples of miracles, including those at
Lourdes and John 4:43–54; reasons why they might lead to belief in God and
Catholic responses to non-religious arguments (including atheist and Humanist)
which maintain that miracles can be scientifically explained and provide no proof
that God exists.

1.4 Catholic attitudes towards religious experiences and its use as a philosophical
argument for the existence of God: the nature of religious experience and why not
all religious experiences are approved by the Church, including reference to
Catechism of the Catholic Church 66–67; Catholic responses to non-religious
(including atheist and Humanist) arguments that religious experiences do not
provide proof that God exists.

1.5 Design argument: the classical design argument for the existence of God and its
use by Catholics as a philosophical argument for the existence of God;
understandings of what the design argument shows about the nature of God for
Catholics including Romans 1:18–24; Catholic responses to non-religious (including
atheist and Humanist) arguments against the design argument as evidence for the
existence of God.

1.6 Cosmological argument: the cosmological argument for the existence of God and
its use by Catholics as a philosophical argument for the existence of God, including
reference to Thomas Aquinas' First Three Ways of showing God's existence;
understandings of the nature and importance of what the cosmological argument
shows about the nature of God for Catholics; Catholic responses to non-religious
(including atheist and Humanist) arguments against the cosmological argument as
evidence for the existence of God.

1.7 Issues raised by the existence of suffering and God as all-loving: the issues it
raises for Catholics about the nature of God, including Isaiah 45; how the problem
and its basis as a philosophical argument may lead some to examine and others to
reject their belief in God.

1.8 The solutions offered to the problem of suffering and a loving and righteous God
within Catholicism: biblical, theoretical and practical responses – Psalms, including
reference to Psalm 119, Job, free will (St Augustine), as a way for humans to
develop (St Irenaeus), prayer, and charity; divergent understandings within
Christianity of their success in solving the problem.

Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Religious Studies A –

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Specification – Issue 1 – July 2016 © Pearson Education Limited 2016
Section 2: Religious Teachings on Relationships and Families in the
21st Century

Students should have an understanding of:

2.1 The importance and purpose of marriage for Catholics: the significance of marriage
in Catholic life; Catholic teachings about marriage, including Not Just Good, But
Beautiful by Pope Francis; divergent Christian, non-religious (including atheist and
Humanist) attitudes to the importance of marriage in society, including the sanctity
of marriage, a lack of importance, cohabitation and the Catholic responses to these
attitudes.

2.2 Catholic teaching about the importance of sexual relationships: Catholic teaching
about sexual relationships as marital, unitive and procreative, including Catechism
of the Catholic Church 2360–2365; Catholic teaching on sexual relationships
outside of marriage and homosexuality; divergent Christian, non-religious
(including atheist and Humanist) attitudes to sexual relationships, including the
acceptance of sexual relationships outside marriage and homosexuality and
Catholic responses to them.

2.3 Catholic teaching about the purpose and importance of the family: Catholic
teaching about the purpose and importance of families including: procreation;
security and education of children; Catholic responses to the different types of
family within 21st-century society (nuclear, single parent, same-sex parents,
extended and blended families), including Familiaris Consortio, 36-85.

2.4 Support for the family in the local Catholic parish: how and why the local parish
tries to support families, including through family worship, the sacraments, classes
for parents, groups for children and counselling, with reference to the Family
Group Movement and Catechism of the Catholic Church 2226; the importance of
the support of the local parish for Catholic families today.
2.5 Catholic teaching on family planning and the regulation of births: Catholic teaching
about artificial contraception and natural family planning, including reference to
Humanae Vitae; divergent Christian, non-religious (including atheist and
Humanist) attitudes to family planning, including acceptance of artificial methods
of contraception by some Protestant Churches and the application of ethical
theories, such as situation ethics, and Catholic responses to them.

2.6 Catholic teaching about divorce, annulment and remarriage: Catholic teaching on
divorce, annulment and remarriage, including Catechism of the Catholic Church
2382–2386; divergent Christian, non-religious (including atheist and Humanist)
attitudes to divorce, annulment and remarriage, including the application of ethical
theories, such as situation ethics, and Catholic responses to them.

2.7 Catholic teaching about the equality of men and women in the family: Catholic
teaching about the role of men and women in the family with reference to
Catechism of the Catholic Church 2207, including the dignity of work within the
home; divergent Christian teachings and attitudes about the equality and roles of
men and women in the family and Catholic responses to them.

2.8 Catholic teachings about gender prejudice and discrimination: Catholic opposition
to gender prejudice and discrimination, including theology of the body; examples
of Catholic opposition to gender prejudice and discrimination, including Catechism
of the Catholic Church 1938; divergent Christian attitudes to gender differences,
including the role of women in the Church, prejudice and discrimination and
Catholic responses to them.

48 Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Religious Studies A –

Specification – Issue 1 – July 2016 © Pearson Education Limited 2016
Area of Study 3 – Christianity

Overview
This area of study comprises a study in depth of aspects of Philosophy and Ethics in the
context of Christianity as a lived religion within the United Kingdom and throughout the
world.

There are two sections: Arguments for the Existence of God; Religious Teachings on
Relationships and Families in the 21st Century.

The significance and importance of the various beliefs, issues and practices to Christians
today should be explored throughout the two sections. This should include reference to how
the Bible informs a Christian’s understanding of the topics and how approaches to the issues
are underpinned by philosophical arguments and ethical theory as applicable.

Students will be expected to study Christianity within the context of the wider British society,
the religious traditions of which are, in the main, Christian. Students should recognise that
Christianity is one of the many religions and world views in Great Britain, which include
Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Sikhism and non-religious views such as Humanism
and atheism. This knowledge may be applied throughout the assessment of the specified
content.

Students should compare and contrast the areas of ethics and/or philosophy within
Christianity with non-religious views as outlined in the content below.

Students should also recognise that within Christianity there may be more than one
perspective in the way beliefs and teachings are understood and expressed. Common and
divergent views within Christianity in the way beliefs and teachings are understood and
expressed should be included throughout, including reference to Catholic, Orthodox,
Protestant and other Christian traditions.

Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Religious Studies A –

49
Specification – Issue 1 – July 2016 © Pearson Education Limited 2016
Section 1: Arguments for the Existence of God

Students should have an understanding of:

1.1 Revelation as proof of the existence of God; revelation as shown in the Bible,
including in the covenants with Noah and Abraham and through Jesus, including
Hebrews 1:1–4; divergent understandings of what revelation shows about the
nature of God for Christians.

1.2 Visions as proof of the existence of God: the nature and importance of visions for
Christians; biblical and non-biblical examples of visions, including Genesis 15 and
Matthew 17:1–13; reasons why they might lead to belief in the existence of God
and Christian responses to non-religious arguments (including atheist and
Humanist) which maintain that visions are hallucinations and provide no proof
that God exists; divergent understandings of what visions show about the nature
of God for Christians.

1.3 Miracles as proof of the existence of God: the nature and importance of miracles
for Christians; biblical examples of miracles, including John 4:43-54; reasons why
they might lead to belief in the existence of God and Christian responses to non-
religious arguments (including atheist and Humanist) which maintain that
miracles can be scientifically explained and provide no proof that God exists;
divergent understandings of what miracles show about the nature of God for
Christians.

1.4 Christian attitudes towards religious experiences and its use as a philosophical
argument for the existence of God: the nature of a religious experience and why
it might be regarded as revelation, including reference to Exodus 3; Christian
responses to non-religious (including atheist and Humanist) arguments that
religious experiences do not provide proof that God exists.

1.5 Christian teaching about prayers: Christian teachings about the nature and
importance of prayers; Christian teachings about reasons prayers that are
answered in the way the person expects might lead to belief in God, including
1 John 5:13–17.

1.6 Design argument: the classical design argument for the existence of God and its
use by Christians as a philosophical argument for the existence of God; divergent
understandings about what the design argument may show about the nature of
God for Christians, including Romans 1:18–24; Christian responses to non-
religious (including atheist and Humanist) arguments against the design
argument as evidence for the existence of God.

1.7 Cosmological argument: the cosmological argument for the existence of God and
its use by Christians as a philosophical argument for the existence of God;
divergent understandings about what the cosmological argument shows about the
nature of God for Christians, including Thomas Aquinas' First Three Ways of
showing God's existence; Christian responses to non-religious (including atheist
and Humanist) arguments against the cosmological argument as evidence for the
existence of God.

1.8 Religious upbringing: Christian teachings about raising children to believe in God,
including reference to Proverbs 22:6; features of a Christian upbringing and why
they may lead to belief in God; Christian responses to non-religious (including
atheist and Humanist) arguments about why a religious upbringing may result in
a rejection of God’s existence.

50 Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Religious Studies A –

Specification – Issue 1 – July 2016 © Pearson Education Limited 2016
Section 2: Religious Teachings on Relationships and Families in the
21st Century

Students should have an understanding of:

2.1 The importance and purpose of marriage for Christians: Christian teachings about
the significance of marriage in Christian life; the purpose of marriage for Christians
including Mark 10:6–9; divergent Christian and non-religious (including atheist and
Humanist) attitudes to the importance of marriage in society; including the
sanctity of marriage, a lack of importance, cohabitation and Christian responses to
these attitudes.

2.2 Christian teachings about the nature and importance of sexual relationships:
divergent Christian teachings about sexual relationships; Christian attitudes
towards sexual relationships outside of marriage and homosexuality, including
interpretations of 1 Corinthians 6:7–20; divergent Christian and non-religious
(including atheist and Humanist) attitudes to sexual relationships, including the
acceptance of sexual relationships outside marriage and homosexuality and
Christian responses to them.

2.3 Christian teachings about the purpose and importance of the family including:
procreation, security and education of children, with reference to Ephesians 6:1–4;
divergent Christian responses to different types of family within 21st-century
society (nuclear, single parent, same-sex parents, extended and blended families).

2.4 Support for the family in the local parish: how and why the local church
community tries to support families, including through family worship, including
interpretations of Matthew 19:13–14, rites of passage, classes for parents, groups
for children, including Sunday schools and counselling; the importance of the
support of the local parish for Christians today.

2.5 Christian teaching about family planning and regulation of births: divergent
Christian attitudes about contraception and family planning, including teachings
about the artificial methods of contraception by some Protestant Churches and the
Catholic Church, with reference to Humanae Vitae; different non-religious
(including atheist and Humanist) attitudes to family planning and the application of
ethical theories, such as situation ethics, and Christian responses to them.

2.6 Christian teachings and attitudes towards divorce and remarriage: Christian
teachings about divorce and remarriage, including Matthew 19:1–12; divergent
Christian, non-religious (including atheist and Humanist) attitudes to divorce and
remarriage, including the application of ethical theories, such as situation ethics,
and Christian responses to them.

2.7 Christian teaching about the equality of men and women in the family: Christian
teachings and attitudes about the role of men and women in the family, including
reference to Genesis 1–3 and Ephesians 5:21–30; divergent Christian attitudes
about the equality and role of men and women in the family and Christian
responses to them.

2.8 Christian teachings about gender prejudice and discrimination: Christian opposition
to gender prejudice and discrimination, including Galatians 3:23–29; examples of
Christian opposition to gender prejudice and discrimination; divergent Christian
attitudes to gender differences, including the role of women in the Church,
prejudice and discrimination and Christian responses to them.

Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Religious Studies A –

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Specification – Issue 1 – July 2016 © Pearson Education Limited 2016
Area of Study 3 – Islam

Overview
This area of study comprises a study in depth of aspects of Philosophy and Ethics in the
context of Islam as a lived religion within the United Kingdom and throughout the world.

There are two sections: Arguments for the Existence of Allah; Religious Teachings on
Relationships and Families in the 21st Century.

The significance and importance of the various beliefs, issues and practices to Muslims today
should be explored throughout the two sections. This should include reference to how the
Qur’an informs a Muslim’s understanding of the topics and how approaches to the issues are
underpinned by philosophical arguments and ethical theory as applicable.

Students will be expected to study Islam within the context of the wider British society, the
religious traditions of which are, in the main, Christian. Students should recognise that Islam
is one of the many religions and world views in Great Britain, which include Buddhism,
Hinduism, Judaism, Sikhism and non-religious views such as Humanism and atheism. This
knowledge may be applied throughout the assessment of the specified content.

Students should compare and contrast the areas of ethics and/or philosophy within Islam
with non-religious views as outlined in the content below.

Students should also recognise that within Islam there may be more than one perspective in
the way beliefs and teachings are understood and expressed. Common and divergent views
within Islam in the way beliefs and teachings are understood and expressed should be
included throughout, including reference to Sunni and Shi’a traditions.

52 Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Religious Studies A –

Specification – Issue 1 – July 2016 © Pearson Education Limited 2016
Section 1: Arguments for the Existence of Allah

Students should have an understanding of:

1.1 Revelation as proof of the existence of Allah; the Qur’an as revelation; Revelation
as shown in the Qur’an as direct Surah 34: 46–50 or through a messenger;
divergent understandings of what revelation shows about the nature of Allah for
Muslims.

1.2 Visions as proof of the existence of Allah: the nature and importance of visions in
Islam; Qur’anic examples of visions, including Surah 19: 16–22; reasons why
they might lead to belief in the existence of Allah and Muslim responses to non-
religious arguments (including atheist and Humanist) which maintain that visions
are hallucinations and provide no proof that Allah exists; divergent
understandings of what visions show about the nature of Allah for Muslims, with
reference to Sunni, Shi’a and Sufi Islam.

1.3 Miracles as proof of the existence of Allah: the nature and importance of miracles
in Islam; the Qur’an as a miracle including Surah 17: 84–89; examples of
miracles; reasons why they might lead to belief in the existence of Allah; Muslim
responses to non-religious arguments (including atheist and Humanist) which
maintain that miracles can be scientifically explained and provide no proof that
Allah exists; divergent understandings of what miracles show about the nature of
Allah for Muslims.

1.4 Muslim attitudes towards religious experiences and their use as philosophical
arguments for the existence of Allah: the nature of a religious experience; Surah
2: 118; divergent understandings of the nature and importance of religious
experiences in Islam, with reference to Sunni, Shi’a and Sufi Islam; Muslim
responses to non-religious (including atheist and Humanist) arguments that
religious experiences do not provide proof that Allah exists.

1.5 Design argument: the design argument and its use in Islam as a philosophical
argument for the existence of Allah and what it shows about the nature of Allah:
divergent understandings of the nature and importance of the design argument
for the existence of Allah in Islam, including reference to Surah 2: 164; Muslim
responses to non-religious (including atheist and Humanist) arguments against
the design argument as evidence for the existence of Allah.

1.6 Cosmological argument: the cosmological argument and its use in Islam as a
philosophical argument for the existence of Allah, including reference to kalam in
the writings of Al-Ghazali, including Kitab al-lqtisad fil’ltiqad; what the
cosmological argument shows about the nature of Allah; divergent
understandings of the strengths and challenges of the cosmological argument in
Islam; Muslim responses to non-religious (including atheist and Humanist)
arguments against the cosmological argument as evidence for the existence of
Allah.

Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Religious Studies A –

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Specification – Issue 1 – July 2016 © Pearson Education Limited 2016
Students should have an understanding of:

1.7 Issues raised by existence of suffering and Allah as compassionate, including

Surah 1: the problems the existence of suffering may raise for Muslims about the
nature of Allah; how the problem and its basis as a philosophical argument may
lead some people to reject belief in Allah or cause believers to question their
belief.

1.8 The different practical and philosophical solutions offered to the problem of
suffering and Allah as compassionate within Islam: Qur’anic including Surah;
Surah 2: 151–177, theoretical and practical responses, including life as a test,
prayer, and charity; divergent understandings within Islam of their success in
solving the problem.

54 Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Religious Studies A –

Specification – Issue 1 – July 2016 © Pearson Education Limited 2016
Section 2: Religious Teachings on Relationships and Families in the
21st Century

Students should have an understanding of:

2.1 The importance and purpose of marriage in Islam: the significance of marriage in
Muslim life; Muslim teachings about marriage, including Surah 4; non-religious
(including atheist and Humanist) attitudes to the importance of marriage in
society; including a lack of importance, cohabitation and Muslim responses to
these attitudes.

2.2 Muslim teaching about the importance of sexual relationships: divergent Muslim
teaching about sexual relationships as fulfilling physical, emotional and spiritual
needs; Muslim teachings on sexual relationships outside of marriage, including
Surah 23: 5–11 and homosexuality; non-religious (including atheist and
Humanist) attitudes to sexual relationships, including the acceptance of sexual
relationships outside marriage and homosexuality and Muslim responses to them.

2.3 Muslim teaching about the purpose and importance of the family: Muslim
teaching about the purpose of families, including Surah 46: 15–18: procreation
and the strengthening of the ummah; divergent Muslim responses to the different
types of family within 21st-century society (nuclear, single parent, same-sex
parents, extended and blended families).

2.4 Support for the family in the ummah: how and why the community tries to
support families, including through worship, rites of passage, classes for parents,
groups for children and counselling; divergent understandings of the importance
of this support for Muslims today and how it might strengthen the ummah, with
reference to Surah 3: 102–105.

2.5 Muslim teaching on contraception: divergent Muslim teachings and attitudes

about contraception and family planning including reference to Sahih Al-Bukhari
34: 432, and 62: 136; different non-religious (including atheist and Humanist)
attitudes to family planning and the application of ethical theories, such as
situation ethics, and Muslim responses to them.

2.6 Muslim teaching about divorce: divergent Muslim beliefs, teachings and attitudes
towards divorce and remarriage, including Surah 2: 226–241 and the different
rules for performing a divorce in Shi’a and Sunni Islam; different non-religious
(including atheist and Humanist) attitudes to divorce and remarriage, including
the application of ethical theories, such as situation ethics, and Muslim responses
to them.

2.7 Muslim teaching about the equality of men and women in the family: divergent
Muslim beliefs, teachings and attitudes about the role of men and women in the
family with reference to the Qur’an including Surah 4 and the time of Muhammad.

2.8 Muslim teachings about gender prejudice and discrimination: Muslim attitudes to
gender prejudice and discrimination, including Surah 33: 35; examples of gender
equality in action in Islam.

Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Religious Studies A –

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Specification – Issue 1 – July 2016 © Pearson Education Limited 2016
Assessment information

Paper 3: Area of Study 3 – Philosophy and Ethics

● First assessment: May/June 2018.
● The assessment is 50 minutes.
● The assessment is out of 51 marks.

● Students must select one religion from a choice of three. (Catholic Christianity,
Christianity and Islam).
● Students must answer all sections and all questions.
● The paper may include short open, open response and extended writing questions.

● The paper will assess spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPaG) and use of specialist
terminology and these will contribute a minimum of 5% of marks towards the overall
weighting for this paper.

Synoptic assessment
Synoptic assessment requires students to work across different parts of a qualification and to
show their accumulated knowledge and understanding of a topic or subject area.

Synoptic assessment enables students to show their ability to combine their skills, knowledge
and understanding with breadth and depth of the subject.

Synopticity will be assessed where students are required to bring together their knowledge
and understanding of religion from across the course of study.

Sample assessment materials

Sample papers and mark schemes can be found in the Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2
GCSE (9–1) in Religious Studies A Sample Assessment Materials (SAMs) document.

56 Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Religious Studies A –

Specification – Issue 1 – July 2016 © Pearson Education Limited 2016
Area of Study 4: Textual Studies

Area of Study 4 – Mark’s Gospel

Overview
The textual studies section for Christianity refers specifically to the Gospel of Mark.

There are two sections: Who is Jesus?; The Nature of Discipleship.

The themes and teachings of this Gospel are explored in depth; the references within the
specification should be used as a starting point in a student’s textual studies and students
may use other texts from the Bible to help contextualise, understand and compare the
teachings found below.

Students will be expected to study Christianity and Mark’s Gospel within the context of the
wider British society, the religious traditions of which are, in the main, Christian. Students
should recognise that Christianity is one of the many religions and world views in Great
Britain, which include Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Sikhism and non-religious views
such as Humanism and atheism. This knowledge may be applied throughout the assessment
of the specified content.

Students should compare and contrast the areas of belief and practice within Christianity
with non-religious views.

The significance and importance of the various beliefs, issues and practices to Christians
today should be explored throughout the two sections. They should understand how varied
interpretations of the meaning of passages from St Mark’s Gospel may give rise to diversity
within Christian traditions and consider how far Christian and non-religious communities give
authority to St Mark’s Gospel, especially in relation to other sources of contemporary
authority.

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Section 1: Who is Jesus?

Students should have an understanding of:

1.1 The Messiah and the Son of Man: the expectations of the Messiah at the time of
Jesus based on the Old Testament; (Isaiah 53) what the use of these titles shows
about Jesus; the title ‘Son of Man’; the meaning of the title including reference to
Daniel 7:13, its use in Mark’s Gospel and what it shows about Jesus; the
significance of Jesus as Messiah and Son of Man for different Christians today.

1.2 The baptism of Jesus (Mark 1:2–11): the events of the baptism; divergent
understandings of its significance, including marking the beginning of the ministry
of Jesus, what it shows about him, and its significance for Christians today.

1.3 Nature miracles in Mark’s Gospel: what they show about Jesus, including the
calming of the storm (Mark 4:35–41); the feeding of the five thousand (Mark
6:32–44) and the walking on the water (Mark 6:45–52) and divergent
understandings of their significance for different Christians today; Christian
responses to non-religious arguments (including atheist and Humanist) which
maintain that miracles can be scientifically explained and provide no proof of Jesus
as divine.

1.4 The healing miracles in Mark’s Gospel: what they show about Jesus, including the
healing of Legion (Mark 5:1–20); the raising of Jairus’ daughter (Mark 5:21–43)
and divergent understandings of their significance for Christians today.

1.5 Peter’s confession at Caesarea Philippi (Mark 8:27–33): what this shows about
Jesus and his purpose; ideas about the Messianic secret in Mark’s Gospel.

1.6 The transfiguration (Mark 9:1–10): what this event shows about Jesus; the
reasons and importance of the appearance of Moses and Elias in relation to Moses’
role as lawgiver and the Old Testament prophecy of Elias; divergent
understandings of its significance for Christians today; Christian responses to non-
religious arguments (including atheist and Humanist) which maintain that visions,
such as the transfiguration, provide no proof that Jesus is the Messiah.

1.7 The conflicts of Jesus in Mark’s Gospel: the healing of the paralysed man
(Mark 2:1–12); disagreements about the Sabbath (Mark 2:23 – 3:6) and their link
with Old Testament understandings of the Sabbath; and the cleansing of the
Temple (Mark 11:15–18), what these show about Jesus and why they might be
important in the narrative of Mark’s Gospel.

1.8 The last days of Jesus’ life: reasons for his arrest; the Last Supper
(Mark 14:12–31); the prayers in Gethsemane (Mark 14:32–42); the betrayal and
arrest (Mark 14:43–52); the trial before the High Priest (Mark 14:53–65); the trial
before Pilate (Mark 15:1–15); the Passion (Mark 15:21–39; 16:1–8), what these
events show about the purpose of Jesus’ life, and how they may differ from other
Gospel accounts, what these events show about Jesus; divergent understandings of
the significance of these events for different Christians today.

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Section 2: The Nature of Discipleship

Students should have an understanding of:

2.1 The call of the first disciples (Mark 1:14–20, 2:13–17): how this shows the nature
of discipleship in showing the willingness to immediately follow Jesus regardless of
consequence and how this might affect a Christian today; the sending out of the
Twelve (Mark 6:7–13), how this shows the nature of discipleship including the
command to take nothing for the journey and the responsibility to preach and
serve; divergent ways in which it affects ideas about Christian living today.

2.2 Parables: the Parable of the Tenants (Mark 12:1–12): how this story shows the
potential cost of discipleship in and its relationship to Christians today; the Parable
of the Sower (Mark 4:1–20), how each group shows different types of Christians;
the nature of discipleship as shown in each group and in the role of the sower; its
significance for Christians today; the importance of these parables with reference
to the Kingdom of God and divergent ways in which that is variously understood as
realised and in the future.

2.3 The story of the rich man (Mark 10:17–31): how this shows the nature of
discipleship in the command to sell all things and how it will affect Christian
discipleship today in different ways; its significance for Christians today with
reference to the Kingdom of God and divergent ways in which that is variously
understood as realised and in the future.

2.4 The spirit cast out of the boy (Mark 9:14–29): the problems of discipleship as
shown in the efforts to cure the boy, and its significance for Christians today.

2.5 Jesus teachings on service (Mark 10:41–45): the purpose of discipleship as shown
in the command to serve; its implications and significance for Christians today.

2.6 Peter’s denial (Mark 14:66–72): the challenges that the denial brings and what it
teaches about the problems of discipleship, and its significance for Christians today
as an example and warning; Christian responses to non-religious arguments
(including atheist and Humanist) which suggest that religious observance, such as
discipleship, can be seen to be unnecessary.

2.7 Women in the ministry of Jesus as shown in Mark’s Gospel: the discipleship and
importance of women including the Greek woman (Mark 7:25–30); the anointing at
Bethany (Mark 14:3–9); the crucifixion, burial and resurrection (Mark 15:40–47,
16:1–11); divergent understandings of its significance for Christians today.

2.8 Discipleship in the 21st century: divergent understandings of how discipleship is

shown in the lives of individual Christians today; specific examples should show
how a person’s life reflects on the demands of discipleship outlined in Mark’s
Gospel, including Mark 8:34 and the examples of either Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Oscar
Romero or Mother Teresa.

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Area of Study 4 – Qur’an

Overview
The textual studies section for Islam refers specifically to the Qur’an.

There are two sections: Beliefs and Teachings of Islam; Lives of the Prophets and Others.

The themes and teachings of the Qur’an are explored in depth; the references within the
specification should be used as a starting point in a student’s textual studies and students
may use other texts from the Qur’an, Hadith and other holy books within Islam to help
contextualise, understand and compare the teachings and examples found below. The
exploration of the lives of the prophets, and others, should recognise that these stories teach
spiritual truths in addition to being stories.

Students will be expected to study Islam and the Qur’an within the context of wider British
society, the religious traditions of which are, in the main, Christian. Students should
recognise that Islam is one of the many religions and world views in Great Britain, which
include Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, Sikhism and non-religious views such as Humanism
and atheism. This knowledge may be applied throughout the assessment of the specified
content.

Students should compare and contrast the areas of belief and practice within Islam with non-
religious views.

The significance and importance of the various beliefs, issues and practices of Muslims today
should be explored throughout the two sections. They should understand how varied
interpretations of the meaning of passages from the Qur’an may give rise to diversity within
Muslim traditions and consider how far Muslim and non-religious communities give authority
to the Qur’an, especially in relation to other sources of contemporary authority.

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Section 1: Beliefs and Teachings of Islam

Students should have an understanding of:

1.1 The importance of Allah in Surah Al-Fatiha (1): the way Allah is described; the
importance of submission to his will and the significance of this to Muslims living
today.

1.2 The oneness of Allah in Surah Al-Anaam (6: 13-24): what this means to an
understanding of Allah, how this reflected in worship; its significance for Muslims
today.

1.3 The 99 beautiful names of Allah found in the Qur’an: what they teach Muslims
about Allah; individual names, including Ar-Rahman (the All-Merciful), including
Surah 55: 1, Ar-Rahim (the All-Merciful), including Surah 3: 31, As-Salam (the
Source of Peace), including Surah 59: 23, Al-Khaliq (the Creator), including Surah
6: 102, Al-Ghaffar (the All-Forgiving), including Surah 2: 173, Ar-Razzaq, (the
Sustainer), including Surah 51: 58 and their importance should be used to
illustrate understanding Allah and his relationship to humanity; and their
importance for Muslim living and worship today.

1.4 The nature of believers in Surah Al- Baqarah (2): how believers are described; the
blessings that come through belief; how non-believers are described;
understandings of the significance of these passages for different Muslims today.

1.5 Creation (Surah 45: 3–5; 21: 30; 41: 11; 21: 33; 51: 47; 7: 54; 57: 4; 50: 38;
57: 4; 71: 13–17; 21: 30; 24: 45): the events of creation; the role of Allah and
humanity in the narrative; the role of humanity as vicegerent/khalifah (Surah 2:
30–39); as being above the angels; the significance of these beliefs for Muslims
today.

1.6 Justice (Surah An-Nisa 4: 105–35): the nature and importance of justice as
outlined in the Qur’an; its application in the Qur’an, in examples from the life of
Muhammad in the Hadith, and divergent ways it is applied by Muslims today.

1.7 Shirk: teachings about shirk in the Qur’an and their significance; the ascribing of
partners to Allah; the worship of idols including Surah 7: 148–150; divergent ways
in which this belief will affect a Muslim today and their relationship to other
religions.

1.8 Shari’ah law: how the Qur’an is used as the basis for Shari’ah law (Surah 4: 59–60
and 33: 21–36) with examples expressed in the life of Muslims today; and how
Shari’ah law might be understood in divergent ways in different traditions of Islam;
Muslim responses to non-religious arguments (including atheist and Humanist)
which suggest that religious observance, such as following Shari’ah, can be seen to
be unnecessary.

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Section 2: Lives of the Prophets and Others

Students should have an understanding of:

2.1 The Prophet Nuh: the events of his life and teachings in the Qur’an, including
Surah 71; his importance as one of the first messengers of Allah; his preaching;
his thankfulness (Surah 17: 3); his challenges; the Ark and the destruction of his
people; the significance of his example for Muslims today.

2.2 The Prophet Ibrahim: the events of his life and teachings in the Qur’an; his
importance as a messenger of Allah; his example of living in submission to the will
of Allah; Ibrahim's characteristics (including Surah 37: 109–111); his preaching;
his development of the Ka’ba (Surah 2: 127–129); his relationships with Hagar
and Ismail; his opposition to the worship of idols (including 21: 57–58); the
command to sacrifice his son (including possible debate about which son) and
comparison of this story with the Tawrat; the significance of his example for
Muslims today.

2.3 The Prophet Ismail: the events of his life and teachings in the Qur’an, including
Surah 21: 5–86; his importance as a messenger of Allah; his building of the Ka’ba
(Surah 2: 127–129); his relationship with his parents; and the command of Allah
for him to be sacrificed and comparison of this story with the Tawrat; the
significance of his example for Muslims today.

2.4 The Prophet Yusuf: the events of his life and teachings in the Qur’an, including
Surah 12 (Yusuf); his importance as a messenger of Allah; his dreams; his
betrayal; his life in Egypt and reunion with his family; the significance of his
example for Muslims today.

2.5 The Prophet Dawud: the events of his life and teachings in the Qur’an; his
importance as a messenger of Allah; Dawud’s place in the armies of Saul; his
encounter with Goliath (Surah 2: 249–251); his armour making; his devotion to
Allah; his writing of the Zabur (Psalms), including Surah 17: 55; the significance of
his example for Muslims today.

2.6 Maryam: the events of her life in the Qur’an and in the Hadith, including Surah 19
(Maryam); her importance as one who submits her will to Allah; her birth;
childhood; the annunciation of her pregnancy; and the birth of Isa; the significance
of her example for Muslims today; Muslim responses to non-religious arguments
(including atheist and Humanist) which maintain that visions, such as the visitation
of Jibril to Maryam, are not real and provide no proof that Allah exists.

2.7 The Prophet Isa: the events of his life and teachings in the Qur’an; his birth; his
mission; his life, including preaching, miracles, knowledge and disciples; his
ascension, including views of his death (Surah 4: 157–158); his foretelling of
Muhammad (Surah 61: 6); his importance as a messenger of Allah especially in
the Injil; the significance of his example for Muslims today.

2.8 Beliefs and teachings about Muhammad and his preaching of Islam in response to
the command of Allah (Surah 26: 213–217) and its significance for Muslims today:
the divergent ways in which Muslims might interpret the command to invite others
to submission to Allah; Muslim responses to non-religious arguments (including
atheist and Humanist) which suggest that trying to convert other people in today’s
society is wrong.

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Assessment information

Paper 4: Area of Study 4 – Textual Studies

● First assessment: May/June 2018.
● The assessment is 50 minutes.
● The assessment is out of 51 marks.

● Students must select one textual study from a choice of two. (Mark’s Gospel and
The Qur’an).
● Students must answer all sections and all questions.
● The paper may include short open, open response and extended writing questions.

● The paper will assess spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPaG) and use of specialist
terminology and these will contribute a minimum of 5% of marks towards the overall
weighting for this paper.

Synoptic assessment
Synoptic assessment requires students to work across different parts of a qualification and to
show their accumulated knowledge and understanding of a topic or subject area.

Synoptic assessment enables students to show their ability to combine their skills, knowledge
and understanding with breadth and depth of the subject.

Synopticity will be assessed where students are required to bring together their knowledge
and understanding of religion from across the course of study.

Sample assessment materials

Sample papers and mark schemes can be found in the Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2
GCSE (9–1) in Religious Studies A Sample Assessment Materials (SAMs) document.

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Assessment Objectives

Students must: % in
GCSE

AO1 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of religion and belief, 50

including:
● beliefs, practices and sources of authority
● influence on individuals, communities and societies
● similarities and differences within and/or between religions and
beliefs.

AO2 Analyse and evaluate aspects of religion and belief, including their 50
significance and influence.

Total 100%

Breakdown of Assessment Objectives

Paper Assessment Objectives Total for all

Assessment
AO1 % AO2 % Objectives

Paper 1: Area of Study 1 – 25 25 50%

Study of Religion

Paper 2: Area of Study 2 – 12.5 12.5 25%

Study of Second Religion

Paper 3: Area of Study 3 – 12.5 12.5 25%

Philosophy and Ethics*

Paper 4: Area of Study 4 – 12.5 12.5 25%

Textual Study*

Total for GCSE 50% 50% 100%

NB: Totals have been rounded either up or down.

*Students are required to complete papers 1 and 2 and one paper from a choice of papers 3
and 4.

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3 Administration and general information

Entries
Details of how to enter students for the examinations for this qualification can be found in
our UK Information Manual. A copy is made available to all examinations officers and is
available on our website: qualifications.pearson.com

Discount code and performance tables

Centres should be aware that students who enter for more than one GCSE, or other Level 2
qualifications with the same discount code, will have only the grade for their 'first entry'
counted for the purpose of the school and college performance tables (please see
Appendix 4: Codes). For further information about what constitutes 'first entry' and full
details of how this policy is applied, please refer to the DfE website:
www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-education

Students should be advised that if they take two GCSEs with the same discount code,
schools and colleges they wish to progress to are likely to take the view that this
achievement is equivalent to only one GCSE. The same view may be taken if students take
two GCSEs or other Level 2 qualifications that have different discount codes but have
significant overlap of content. Students or their advisers who have any doubts about their
subject combinations should check with the institution they wish to progress to before
embarking on their programmes.

Access arrangements, reasonable adjustments,

special consideration and malpractice
Equality and fairness are central to our work. Our equality policy requires all students to
have equal opportunity to access our qualifications and assessments, and our qualifications
to be awarded in a way that is fair to every student.

We are committed to making sure that:

● students with a protected characteristic (as defined by the Equality Act 2010) are not,
when they are undertaking one of our qualifications, disadvantaged in comparison to
students who do not share that characteristic
● all students achieve the recognition they deserve for undertaking a qualification and that
this achievement can be compared fairly to the achievement of their peers.

Language of assessment
Assessment of this qualification will be available in English. All student work must be in
English.

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Access arrangements
Access arrangements are agreed before an assessment. They allow students with special
educational needs, disabilities or temporary injuries to:
● access the assessment
● show what they know and can do without changing the demands of the assessment.

The intention behind an access arrangement is to meet the particular needs of an individual
student with a disability, without affecting the integrity of the assessment. Access
arrangements are the principal way in which awarding bodies comply with the duty under the
Equality Act 2010 to make ‘reasonable adjustments’.

Access arrangements should always be processed at the start of the course. Students will
then know what is available and have the access arrangement(s) in place for assessment.

Reasonable adjustments
The Equality Act 2010 requires an awarding organisation to make reasonable adjustments
where a person with a disability would be at a substantial disadvantage in undertaking an
assessment. The awarding organisation is required to take reasonable steps to overcome
that disadvantage.

A reasonable adjustment for a particular person may be unique to that individual and
therefore might not be in the list of available access arrangements.

Whether an adjustment will be considered reasonable will depend on a number of factors,

which will include:
● the needs of the student with the disability
● the effectiveness of the adjustment
● the cost of the adjustment; and
● the likely impact of the adjustment on the student with the disability and other students.

An adjustment will not be approved if it involves unreasonable costs to the awarding

organisation, timeframes or affects the security or integrity of the assessment. This is
because the adjustment is not ‘reasonable’.

Special consideration
Special consideration is a post-examination adjustment to a student's mark or grade to
reflect temporary injury, illness or other indisposition at the time of the examination/
assessment, which has had, or is reasonably likely to have had, a material effect on a
candidate’s ability to take an assessment or demonstrate their level of attainment in
an assessment.

Further information
Please see our website for further information about how to apply for access arrangements
and special consideration.

For further information about access arrangements, reasonable adjustments and special
consideration, please refer to the JCQ website: www.jcq.org.uk.

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Malpractice

Candidate malpractice
Candidate malpractice refers to any act by a candidate that compromises or seeks to
compromise the process of assessment or which undermines the integrity of the
qualifications or the validity of results/certificates.

Candidate malpractice in examinations must be reported to Pearson using a JCQ Form M1

(available at www.jcq.org.uk/exams-office/malpractice). The form can be emailed to
pqsmalpractice@pearson.com or posted to Investigations Team, Pearson, 190 High Holborn,
London, WC1V 7BH. Please provide as much information and supporting documentation as
possible. Note that the final decision regarding appropriate sanctions lies with Pearson.

Failure to report malpractice constitutes staff or centre malpractice.

Staff/centre malpractice
Staff and centre malpractice includes both deliberate malpractice and maladministration of
our qualifications. As with candidate malpractice, staff and centre malpractice is any act that
compromises or seeks to compromise the process of assessment or which undermines the
integrity of the qualifications or the validity of results/certificates.

All cases of suspected staff malpractice and maladministration must be reported

immediately, before any investigation is undertaken by the centre, to Pearson on
a JCQ Form M2(a) (available at www.jcq.org.uk/exams-office/malpractice). The form,
supporting documentation and as much information as possible can be emailed to
pqsmalpractice@pearson.com or posted to Investigations Team, Pearson,
190 High Holborn, London, WC1V 7BH. Note that the final decision regarding
appropriate sanctions lies with Pearson.

Failure to report malpractice itself constitutes malpractice.

More-detailed guidance on malpractice can be found in the latest version of the document
JCQ General and Vocational Qualifications Suspected Malpractice in Examinations and
Assessments, available at www.jcq.org.uk/exams-office/malpractice.

Awarding and reporting

This qualification will be graded, awarded and certificated to comply with the requirements of
Ofqual's General Conditions of Recognition.

This GCSE qualification will be graded and certificated on a nine-grade scale from 9 to 1
using the total subject mark where 9 is the highest grade. Individual papers are not graded.

Students whose level of achievement is below the minimum judged by Pearson to be of

sufficient standard to be recorded on a certificate will receive an unclassified U result.

The first certification opportunity for this qualification will be 2018.

Student recruitment and progression

Pearson follows the JCQ policy concerning recruitment to our qualifications in that:
● they must be available to anyone who is capable of reaching the required standard
● they must be free from barriers that restrict access and progression

● equal opportunities exist for all students.

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Prior learning and other requirements
There are no prior learning or other requirements for this qualification.

Progression
Students can progress from this qualification to:
● AS and A Levels in Religious Studies and other subjects.
● vocational qualifications, such as BTEC Nationals.

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Appendices

Appendix 1: The context for the development of this qualification 71

Appendix 2: Transferable skills 73
Appendix 3: Command Words 74
Appendix 4: Codes 75

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Appendix 1: The context for the
development of this qualification
All our qualifications are designed to meet our World Class Qualification Principles[1] and our
ambition to put the student at the heart of everything we do.

We have developed and designed this qualification by:

● reviewing other curricula and qualifications to ensure that it is comparable with those
taken in high-performing jurisdictions overseas
● consulting with key stakeholders on content and assessment, including learned bodies,
subject associations, higher-education academics and teachers to ensure this qualification
is suitable for a UK context
● reviewing the legacy qualification and building on its positive attributes.

This qualification has also been developed to meet criteria stipulated by Ofqual in their
documents GCSE (9 to 1) Qualification Level Conditions and Requirements and GCSE Subject
Level Conditions and Requirements for Religious Studies published in June 2014.

[1]
Pearson’s World Class Qualification Principles ensure that our qualifications are:
● demanding, through internationally benchmarked standards, encouraging deep learning and
measuring higher-order skills
● rigorous, through setting and maintaining standards over time, developing reliable and valid
assessment tasks and processes, and generating confidence in end users of the knowledge, skills
and competencies of certified students
● inclusive, through conceptualising learning as continuous, recognising that students develop at
different rates and have different learning needs, and focusing on progression
● empowering, through promoting the development of transferable skills, see Appendix 2.

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From Pearson’s Expert Panel for World Class Qualifications

“education
The reform of the qualifications system in England is a profoundly important change to the
system. Teachers need to know that the new qualifications will assist them in
helping their learners make progress in their lives.

When these changes were first proposed we were approached by Pearson to join an ‘Expert
Panel’ that would advise them on the development of the new qualifications.

We were chosen, either because of our expertise in the UK education system, or because of
our experience in reforming qualifications in other systems around the world as diverse as
Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia and a number of countries across Europe.

We have guided Pearson through what we judge to be a rigorous qualification development

process that has included:
● extensive international comparability of subject content against the highest-performing
jurisdictions in the world
● benchmarking assessments against UK and overseas providers to ensure that they are at
the right level of demand
● establishing External Subject Advisory Groups, drawing on independent subject-specific
expertise to challenge and validate our qualifications
● subjecting the final qualifications to scrutiny against the DfE content and Ofqual
accreditation criteria in advance of submission.

Importantly, we have worked to ensure that the content and learning is future oriented. The
design has been guided by what is called an ‘Efficacy Framework’, meaning learner outcomes
have been at the heart of this development throughout.

We understand that ultimately it is excellent teaching that is the key factor to a learner’s
success in education. As a result of our work as a panel we are confident that we have
supported the development of qualifications that are outstanding for their coherence,
thoroughness and attention to detail and can be regarded as representing world-class best
practice.
”
Sir Michael Barber (Chair) Professor Lee Sing Kong

Chief Education Advisor, Pearson plc Director, National Institute of Education,

Singapore

Bahram Bekhradnia Professor Jonathan Osborne

President, Higher Education Policy Institute Stanford University

Dame Sally Coates Professor Dr Ursula Renold

Principal, Burlington Danes Academy Federal Institute of Technology,

Switzerland

Professor Robin Coningham Professor Bob Schwartz

Pro-Vice Chancellor, University of Durham Harvard Graduate School of Education

Dr Peter Hill

Former Chief Executive ACARA

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Appendix 2: Transferable skills
The need for transferable skills
In recent years, higher education institutions and employers have consistently flagged the
need for students to develop a range of transferable skills to enable them to respond with
confidence to the demands of undergraduate study and the world of work.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) defines skills, or
competencies, as ‘the bundle of knowledge, attributes and capacities that can be learned and
that enable individuals to successfully and consistently perform an activity or task and can be
built upon and extended through learning.’ [ 1]

To support the design of our qualifications, the Pearson Research Team selected and
evaluated seven global 21st-century skills frameworks. Following on from this process, we
identified the National Research Council’s (NRC) framework as the most evidence-based and
robust skills framework. We adapted the framework slightly to include the Program for
International Student Assessment (PISA) ICT Literacy and Collaborative Problem Solving
(CPS) Skills.
[2]
The adapted National Research Council’s framework of skills involves:

Cognitive skills
● Non-routine problem solving – expert thinking, metacognition, creativity.
● Systems thinking – decision making and reasoning.

● Critical thinking – definitions of critical thinking are broad and usually involve general
cognitive skills such as analysing, synthesising and reasoning skills.
[3]
● ICT literacy – access, manage, integrate, evaluate, construct and communicate.

Interpersonal skills
● Communication – active listening, oral communication, written communication, assertive
communication and non-verbal communication.
● Relationship-building skills – teamwork, trust, intercultural sensitivity, service
orientation, self-presentation, social influence, conflict resolution and negotiation.
● Collaborative problem solving – establishing and maintaining shared understanding,
taking appropriate action, establishing and maintaining team organisation.

Intrapersonal skills
● Adaptability – ability and willingness to cope with the uncertain, handling work stress,
adapting to different personalities, communication styles and cultures, and physical
adaptability to various indoor and outdoor work environments.
● Self-management and self-development – ability to work remotely in virtual teams,
work autonomously, be self-motivating and self-monitoring, willing and able to acquire
new information and skills related to work.

Transferable skills enable young people to face the demands of further and higher education,
as well as the demands of the workplace, and are important in the teaching and learning of
this qualification. We will provide teaching and learning materials, developed with
stakeholders, to support our qualifications.

[1]
OECD – Better Skills, Better Jobs, Better Lives (OECD Publishing, 2012)
[2]
Koenig J A, National Research Council – Assessing 21st Century Skills: Summary of a Workshop (National
Academies Press, 2011)
[3]
PISA – The PISA Framework for Assessment of ICT Literacy (2011)

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Specification – Issue 1 – July 2016 © Pearson Education Limited 2016
Appendix 3: Command Words
The following command words will be used in the assessment of students across all papers.

Command Meaning Number Assessment

Word of Marks Objectives

State Provide knowledge of religion and belief by

3 AO1 – 3 marks
recalling factual information

Outline Provide knowledge of religion and belief by

3 AO1 – 3 marks
recalling factual information

Describe Provide an understanding of religion and belief

4 AO1 – 4 marks
and contrast with that of another.

Explain There are two ways this command word will

be used:

1. (4 marks) Provide understanding of an

aspect of religion and belief and developing AO1 – 4 marks
this beyond a habitual response.
4 OR
2. (5 marks) Provide understanding of an
aspect of religion and belief and developing
AO1 – 5 marks
this beyond a habitual response. In
addition, students will be required to
reference one source of wisdom or
authority in support of their explanation.

*Evaluate Interpret a given stimulus in order to consider

different viewpoints and perspectives relating
to the importance or significance of a
particular aspect of a religion or belief.
Deconstruct the information or issue at hand,
12 AO2 – 12 marks
by constructing logical chains of reasoning
and making connections between the
elements in the question. Arguments must be
justified by the appraisal of evidence leading
to a supported conclusion.

*Additional instructions are provided to students for all ‘Evaluate’ questions. These
instructions reflect the additional requirements of the question. Please refer to the Sample
Assessment Materials for further details.

74 Pearson Edexcel Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Religious Studies A –

Specification – Issue 1 – July 2016 © Pearson Education Limited 2016
 Appendix 4: Codes

Type of code Use of code Code

Discount codes Every qualification eligible for performance DD1

tables is assigned a discount code
indicating the subject area to which it
belongs.

Discount codes are published by DfE in the

RAISEonline library (www.raiseonline.org)

Regulated Each qualification title is allocated an The QN for this

Qualifications Ofqual Regulated Qualifications qualification is:
Framework (RQF) Framework (RQF) code.
603/0079/6
codes
The RQF code is known as a Qualification
Number (QN). This is the code that
features in the DfE Section 96 and on the
LARA as being eligible for 16–18 and 19+
funding, and is to be used for all
qualification funding purposes. The QN will
appear on students’ final certification
documentation.

Subject codes The subject code is used by centres to GCSE – 1RAO

enter students for a qualification. Centres
will need to use the entry codes only when
claiming students’ qualifications.

Paper codes These codes are provided for reference Paper 1: 1RA0/1A–1C
purposes. Students do not need to be
Paper 2: 1RA0/2A–2G
entered for individual papers.
Paper 3: 1RA0/3A–3C

Paper 4: 1RA0/4A–4B

Sb01076Z:\LT\PD\GCSE 2016\\9781446927823_GCSE2016_L12_RELIGSTD_A.DOC.1–80/3

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