March 2023 Religious Studies Subject Update | Pearson qualifications

March 2023 Religious Studies Subject Update

Thu Mar 23 13:19:00 UTC 2023

Welcome to your Pearson Edexcel Religious Studies March 2023 subject update!

Hello colleagues,

I hope the Spring Term is running smoothly for you!  I wanted to take the opportunity to share some useful resources, reminders and links to upcoming events. This month, we have a range of new exemplar answer resources to share with you.  We hope you find them useful!

As always, if you have any questions about anything within this update or about our Religious Studies qualifications, please do get in touch at TeachingReligiousStudies@pearson.com!

Best wishes, 
 
Susan Currey
Religious Studies Subject Advisor 

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GCSE 12-mark (d) evaluation exemplars

'Exploring answers across levels'

We have published two resources to exemplify differences between different levelled responses on (d) evaluation questions.  Each resource includes four answers that were awarded across the four levels, responding to the same question.  Each answer incudes analysis to explain why it achieved that level and how it could improve.  

Nb: You will need your Edexcel Online login details to access 2022 exam materials

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Catholic beliefs across levels

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Paper 1B past questions p.1

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A level 12-mark 'Assess' exemplar answers

We have published a range of 12-mark 'Assess' student answers from the summer 2022 exam series to help exemplify how different levels and marks were awarded.  These include answers across the range of papers and mark range with analysis against the level descriptors.  

Nb: You will need your Edexcel Online login details to access 2022 exam materials

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A level 12-mark exemplars

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GCSE Religious Studies Online CPD event

We are re-running our 'Insight into (d) evaluation questions' training event that previously ran in the Autumn term for those who were unable to attend.  

Insight into (d) evaluation questions
Wednesday 29th March 2023
(16:00-18:00 GMT)
Cost: £40
Designed for teachers who want to understand how to teach and assess (d) evaluation questions at GCSE Religious Studies (Specification A & B). 
Link to Booking Page

March '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 March edition looks at the Hindu festival of Holi.  

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Strictly RE

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Resources for previous International GCSE events

In February 2023, we ran two events to support our International GCSE qualification.  If you were unable to attend these you can find the slides and resources available for you.  

You can access these at the links below:

International GCSE Module 1: Introduction event resources

The 'International GCSE Module 1: Introduction' online training event ran on Tuesday 7th February 2023. The resources for this event can be found at the link below.

Link to resources

International GCSE Module 2: Assessment and Marking

The 'International GCSE Module 2: Assessment and Marking' online training event ran on Tuesday 21st February 2023. The resources for this event can be found at the link below.

Link to resources

Religious Studies Teaching and Learning Survey

Thank you to everyone who provided feedback in the GCSE & GCE Religious Studies 2021-2022 T&L Customer Feedback Survey. The survey has closed now but, I’d like to congratulate respondents 14, 96, 100 and 103, who were randomly selected to receive a £25 Amazon voucher! You should have received an email notifying you of your success.  

It was lovely to receive such a wealth of responses and get the chance to obtain some great feedback from our centres!  

Please look out for future surveys in our subject updates and social media posts for further opportunities to provide feedback!      

Ofqual Student Guide 2023

Ofqual have published a guide to provide you with information about this year’s arrangements for qualifications regulated by Ofqual.

It also explains what support is in place when taking exams and assessments.

Ofqual Student Guide 2023

Examiner tile

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This is an invaluable opportunity to develop your knowledge and understanding of the subject area and assessment process, building your confidence as a teacher and assessor.

Vacancy details and application

Become an examiner with us!

We are continuing our examiner recruitment and are looking for specialists who are able to mark GCSE Religious Studies.

We would particularly welcome applications for those wanting to mark Specification A:

  • Paper 1A: Catholic Christianity
  • Paper 3A: Catholic Christianity

Experience/qualifications needed

  • You will have one academic year's worth of teaching experience:
           a. within the last 8 years
           b. within the relevant qualification and subject
  • You will have a degree or equivalent
  • You will be a qualified teacher
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