'Exams spelled out' videos
#examsspelledout is a series of short videos that help to explain the assessment process and shine a light on what goes on behind the scenes to make exams happen and ensure that students get their results.
June 2023 Religious Studies subject update
Thu Jun 08 10:25:00 UTC 2023
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Welcome to your Pearson Edexcel Religious Studies June 2023 subject update!
Hello colleagues,
I hope you enjoyed your half term break and are back in the swing of the final school term this year. I wanted to send out this update to share some key information and links which could support you during this period of the year!
Best wishes,
Susan Currey
Religious Studies Subject Advisor
If you have any questions, then please do contact me:
☎ Call us: 0344 463 2535
✉ Email us: TeachingReligiousStudies@pearson.com
💻 Book a Teams meeting with me: https://bit.ly/3rEVLx8
This update includes:
- Humanities skills and careers posters
- June topic of the month
- Video: UK GCSE Religious Studies specifications overview
- Pearson religious studies community
- Getting ready for exams: Top tips for students
- Exam timetables
- #examsspelledout videos
- Summer 2023 assessment materials: release dates
- New ZigZag religious studies resources
Humanities skills and careers posters
At Pearson, we're committed to inspiring learners to study a humanities subject.
Download our posters to display around your school, allowing learners to unlock the valuable skills studying a humanities subject can give them. We have included a range of posters highlighting different career options connected to studying humanities.
June topic of the month
Every month, we release an edition of 'Topic of the Month' with the aim of supporting cultural capital and stimulating discussion within the classroom. Each edition 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.
Our previous editions can be found on our qualification pages under the 'Topic of the Month' tab.
Our June edition looks at experiences felt by individuals who stayed in a Buddhist retreat.
Video: UK GCSE Religious Studies specifications overview
I've put together a video which gives a brief overview of the difference between our two UK GCSE specifications (Specification A and Specification B). This video explores the structure of each course including the different areas of study within each, the exam papers and the assessment structure.
Pearson Religious Studies community
A Religious Studies community has been set up for teachers delivering our RS qualifications to share support and information, browse posts from other teachers as well as post and respond to questions. It's also a place where I will share new resources in advance of the monthly subject update.
You can join it here:
Getting ready for exams: Top tips for students
With exam season upon us, we want to re-share a few tips and tricks, as well as handy guides and links to places you can turn to for support before, during and after the exam period. This resource has been developed with students in mind, helping them prepare for exams, whilst looking after their wellbeing.
This document includes:
- Preparing for exams
- What happens on exam day?
- If I need further support, where can I find it?
- What happens after I have taken my exams?
Exam wellbeing support
Every student’s experience of exams is different, and we understand that preparing for and sitting exams can be overwhelming. If you haven’t seen it already, our Exam Wellbeing Hub is available to support students and their families through every step of the exam journey – from revision and exam day through to results day. Alongside guidance and top tips, there are also details of charities and organisations that can help with mental health and wellbeing 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Explore our Exam Wellbeing Hub
Plus, our Wellbeing Zone is also available all year round to support teachers, students and family with mental health and wellbeing.
#examsspelledout
These videos address questions asked by students about the process of exams and include questions such as:
- Who writes my exam paper?’
- How do you make sure papers are clear and easy to understand?
- What do you do to make exam papers more diverse and different kinds of students are represented?
- Where does my exam paper go when it leaves my school?
I have included three examples of videos here but the link to the full playlist can be accessed below:
| Question papers | GCSEs International GCSEs AS/A levels |
Tuesday 4 July 2023 |
| Mark Schemes | GCSEs International GCSEs AS/A levels |
Tuesday 18 July 2023 |
Level 3 Examiner reports |
AS/A levels | Tuesday 22 August |
Level 2 Examiner reports |
GCSEs International GCSEs |
Tuesday 29 August |
New ZigZag A level Religious Studies resources
ZigZag produce a range of 'Topic on a Page' resources for our A level qualification. These are available for:
- Paper 1: Philosophy of Religion (Year 1 & Year 2)
- Paper 2: Religion and Ethics (Year 1 & Year 2)
- NEW: Paper 3: New Testament Studies (Year 1 & Year 2)
- NEW: Paper 4B: Christianity (Year 1) and Year 2 will be available very soon
Subject advisor
Susan Currey
Religious Studies
Phone :
+44 (0) 344 463 2535
( Teaching Services team | Mon - Fri, 9am - 5pm GMT)
