The PCR Department is a successful curriculum area with four well-qualified specialist teachers and input from a number of other specialists to complement the range of skills used to teach Thinking Skills. We take a holistic approach to the development of life-long learning skills, combining the team’s skills in teaching religious studies, thinking skills, government and politics, philosophy and citizenship. Unlike many schools, we offer a choice of religion to study at GCSE and the department is extremely well resourced to enable pupils to learn to suit their own interests.
Key Stage 3
All pupils study the six main world religions as a foundation for later study. In Year 7 a phenomenological approach is taken and pupils learn about the worship, places of worship, scriptures, symbols and festivals of Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism,
Sikhism and Buddhism.
In Year 8 they study the lives of the founders/leaders of each religion. From the lives of the founders and/or leaders we can learn the main ideas and philosophy behind the religions. Pupils also learn how these ideas a relevant in modern life and look at how having a religion or none affects the lives of individuals.
Key Stage 4
At Key Stage 4 the department sees pupils for three hours per week: for Religious
Studies and Thinking Skills. This is where we build on the concept of PCR – approaching the three lesson combination with a single, combined Unit Plan which encourages cross-curricular learning and skills transfer, and draws from both the
Citizenship curriculum and the PSHE curriculum to study topics that will allow pupils to develop thinking skills for education and for life. Common processes such as decision-making and risk-taking are explored using topics such as finance, business and politics.
The Religious Studies GCSE course is flexible, and offers pupils the opportunity to make an in-depth study of a religion of their choice with a comparative second religion and different modules are taught to different sets to suit their ability.
Pupils are encouraged to examine the profound questions of life – ‘Does God exist?
How do we know?’ – and also develop an inquiring and sympathetic understanding of complex ethical issues – ‘Should animals have rights? Should war ever be fought?
What are our medical ethics?’ It will become apparent that faith affects belief on such issues. Experience, belief and practice are examined, and conclusions drawn with regard to what these say about the meaning of life and responses to a variety of contemporary issues. www.uptoncourtgrammar.org.uk

As a qualification, Religious Studies is valid for any people-orientated careers (e.g.
Law/Medicine/Social Sciences); and, increasingly, for industries with important overseas connections. It is often recommended as a complementary subject for sciences. Religion is intrinsic to culture, and only by comprehending different faiths can cultures be fully appreciated. The course of study also offers an excellent opportunity to think through personal faith commitment, and to explore a personal response to some of life’s more complex dilemmas.
Post-16
Religious Studies A level is offered.
Beginning with the role and place of religion in contemporary society, we examine the relevance of religion in society and the way that it is practised in contemporary
British Society. We consider issues facing religion such as growing secularism and pluralism. We analyse the relationship between the different dimensions of religion – their traditions, practices and doctrines and the expression of religion in modern society. The units chosen introduce students to a wider agenda, helping them to develop key skills they will need to explore theology at university.
The second unit covers ethical theories and medical ethics.
For pupils with outstanding GCSE results and the motivation to study independently a specific religion at A level, we may offer the opportunity to study a paper in one of the main world religions in place of one of the papers. In the past students have chosen Hinduism, Islam, Old Testament Studies and New Testament studies.
We encourage and inspire analytical and critical thinking across disciplines and nature of the course of study draws together the different aspects of the course.
The department is also involved in delivering Year 12 enrichment, with the study of good and evil through film.
Cross Curricular Links
In Religious Studies pupils apply processes and thinking skills to a range of ethical and moral decisions and consider questions of ultimate meaning. These skills as explicitly discussed and developed and there is a structured skills development process across all subjects taught. This then builds links with many areas of school and home life. www.uptoncourtgrammar.org.uk