Welcome to your Pearson Edexcel Religious Studies April 2026 subject update!
Hello colleagues,
As we move closer to the summer exam season, we want to make sure you have everything you need in one place. This update brings together essential dates, upcoming training and new teaching and learning resources to help you feel prepared and supported. There is also an opportunity for GCSE Religious Studies teachers views to be heard to help shape future qualifications.
Best wishes,
Jenna Wyatt
Religious Studies Subject Advisor
Join us for an online event designed to provide focused subject knowledge support for the 'Marriage and the Family' section, featured in the 'Christianity' area of study, for Pearson Edexcel's GCSE in Religious Studies (specification B).
The event will offer clarification on specification content, provide opportunities to discuss the planning of engaging lessons, using a variety of resources and activities, and the opportunity for 'Q&A' with a subject specialist.
The workshop would be suitable for both new and experienced teachers who want to enhance their subject knowledge and pedagogy.
25 June 2026 at 16:30-18:00 GMT
Missed our January training on GCSE Religious Studies Islam?
You can now catch up with the slides and recording from our session on Islam: Living the Religious Life / Practices, now available to view.
Following the release of the Curriculum and Assessment Review's Final Report and the government's response, we are keen to engage with GCSE Religious Studies teachers to hear your views and help shape future qualifications. We are keen to engage with teachers to hear your views and help shape future updates to our qualifications.
During the webinar we will discuss:
This is a chance to share your views on what you would like to see in updated qualifications.
Our webinars will be held on Thursday 11 June at 4.00pm and Tuesday 16 June at 4.00pm via MS Teams. If you’d like to participate, please complete the sign-up form below. Even if you can't make these dates, please still sign up as we may run additional webinars.
Pearson Religious Studies - Future UK Qualifications Webinar Sign-Up
Every month, we release an edition of 'Topic of the Month' with the aim of supporting cultural capital and stimulating discussion within the classroom.
This resource ties a current news event to our qualification content and enables students to see the bigger picture of what they are learning and how it relates to the world around them. Each edition includes a link to an article alongside some key discussion questions to encourage thought around the subject.
March's topic relates to an article, produced for the BBC entitled “Harry Clark embarks on a quest to meet the new Pope in BBC documentary.“ It discusses Harry Clark’s journey to Rome, exploring Catholic faith, identity, and the challenge of maintaining belief in a fast-paced, modern world.
We’re excited to share more revision resources packed with quick recall questions perfect for helping students revisit and reinforce key knowledge from Catholic and Judaism 'Beliefs and Teachings' (Specification A) and Islam, 'Crime and Punishment' and 'Peace and Conflict' (Specification B) topics.
The worksheets inside these resources can be used as 'do now' activities, for intervention sessions, or as home learning/revision tasks.
Specification A:
Catholic Beliefs and Teachings
Specification B:
Ofqual has published a new blog highlighting the importance of open, honest conversations with students about the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in coursework.
AI tools are now part of everyday life for many young people. But it’s important that students understand where the boundaries are. Using AI to generate coursework without proper disclosure is cheating, and the consequences can be serious - including the loss of a qualification.
The blog is designed to help you start those conversations with confidence. It includes:
Talking to students about AI in coursework
Together, these resources can help ensure students are informed, supported and clear about expectations - before assessment pressures begin.
We know many of our centres and students use the UCAS application service, when applying to Higher Education in the UK. We wanted to let you know that UCAS are currently consulting on the operation of the UCAS undergraduate admissions cycle, including:
This is an opportunity for you to have your say. You can find out further details about the consultation and respond on the UCAS website. The deadline to respond is 18:00 (UK time) on 22 April 2026.
UCAS admissions consultation: dates, deadlines, and choices | UCAS
We know the ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to affect students, families and centres in very real ways.
This page brings together the latest guidance and support available for students whose learning and assessments have been disrupted, with any new updates added here as the situation continues to evolve.
Support for centres affected by the conflict in the middle east
We wanted to remind you of the Pearson Edexcel GCSE revision resources available for Religious Studies Specification B.
The GCSE Religious Studies suite, offer clear, specification‑focused support to help students consolidate understanding and prepare confidently for assessment.
View the Pearson 'Revise' Resources
Our qualifications are also supported by resources produced by a range of other publishers. You don't have to purchase any resources, including those from Pearson, to deliver our qualifications.
Massolit are inviting students in Years 10, 11 and 12 to create a "MASSOLIT-style" video lecture on any topic of their choice.
Entries will be accepted between 12:00 BST on Friday 27 February 2026 and 17:00 BST on Friday 26 June 2026.
To find out more details on the competition rules and entries click below:
MASSOLIT - Video Essay Competition
Massolit have also produced video lectures with different university academics that cover content from Philosophy of Religion, Religion and Ethics and Developments in Christian Thought which are really interesting and include some useful content for parts of our Religious Studies A-Level.
I hope you found this update useful. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch using the contact details below. You can also sign up to get these Subject Advisor updates straight to your inbox every month.
