Welcome to your Pearson Edexcel Religious Studies February 2026 subject update!
Hello colleagues,
As we edge closer to half term, it’s the perfect moment to gather the support, resources and key information you need for teaching our Religious Studies qualifications. This update brings together upcoming training details, important dates, and brand‑new teaching and learning materials to help you plan ahead with ease and clarity.
Best wishes,
Jenna Wyatt
Religious Studies Subject Advisor
December's update includes:
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
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.
January's topic relates to Christian eschatology, focusing on Advent as preparation for Jesus’ Second Coming and its implications for faith and daily life.
We are pleased to announce the release of two knowledge organiser style resources in support of our Christianity and Islam papers for GCSE Religious Studies, Specification A.
These resources have been crafted to enhance your students' grasp of key concepts, making complex topics accessible and engaging.
Please note you will need your Edexcel Online log in to access these resources.
The Provisional timetables for Summer 2027 will be available on our Provisional timetables web page from Monday 2 February.
The feedback window will run until Friday 20 March.
Ofqual has launched a consultation on proposals for how on-screen assessment should be regulated in GCSEs, AS and A levels in England. Whilst they propose a controlled introduction of on-screen assessment, pen-and-paper will remain central to most exams.
As teachers working directly with students, you understand their needs and the challenges this proposal may present.
Your opinion counts. The consultation closes on 5 March 2026. Please take a look and have your say.
The bishop‑approved Pearson Edexcel Entry Level Certificate in Religious Studies offers a vital, inclusive alternative for students working below GCSE level. Carefully aligned with the content of GCSE Religious Studies A, it is fully co‑teachable, allowing you to deliver the Catholic Christianity and Judaism curriculum within mixed‑ability classes while offering a more accessible assessment route for students.
Centres also have the flexibility to dual‑enter students for both the ELC and the GCSE, ensuring every young person, can experience success, feel included, and have their learning formally recognised.To support your planning and delivery, you may find the following teaching and learning resources helpful:
Join others exploring Teaching A level RS through St Thomas Aquinas with Dr Beth Mackintosh and Dr Fionn O’Donovan, lecturers in philosophy and theology at the University of Winchester. Beth brings deep expertise in moral philosophy and the work of Mary Midgley, while Fionn focuses on moral philosophy, objectivity in ethics, and the philosophy of religion. Together, they’ll unpack Aquinas’ life, ideas, and lasting influence.
Thursday 12 February 2026, 18:00-19:00 (online)
Want to join the A‑level NATRE Group or need the meeting link?
📩 Email: k.steele@worc.ac.uk
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.
