“A life that is not examined is not worth living.” (Socrates)

Why choose Religious Studies?

Religious Studies is taught as an academic subject aiming to ensure that all students leave Putney able to understand and evaluate their own religious beliefs and those of those they meet combined with a particular ability to consider the texts, philosophical assumptions and influence of Christianity.

Through looking at all of the major faith traditions using art, discussion, story, trips to places of worship, rites of passage, belief, philosophy and attitudes, students can examine many of the ‘big questions’ of life and express and evaluate their own answers to these. Religious Studies aims to equip students to live and work in multi-cultural societies.

Well respected qualifications and beyond

GCSE

At GCSE level AQA Specification A is offered (Ethics and St Mark's Gospel) as a subject choice. This enables students to engage with questions concerning a religious text and many moral and philosophical dilemmas. (See http://web.aqa.org.uk/qual/gce/humanities/religious_studies_noticeboard.php?id=10&prev=10 for more details.)

AS and A Level

At AS and A2 level the Edexcel course, Ethics and The New Testament (St Luke's Gospel) is offered. To take this course, students do not have to have taken GCSE. The units taken consider issues raised by the claim that a religious ethic is possible and look at some early Christian texts. (See http://www.edexcel.org.uk for more details.)

Students choosing to study Theology, Religious Studies or Philosophy at university will continue to develop the analytical, discursive and questioning skills that the subject fosters.