RS KS5
KS5 – AS Level
Pupils follow the WJEC AS Level Syllabus.
The options for study followed are RS 1 /2 Philosophy of Religion and RS 1 / 2 ER Buddhism.
Pupils will receive two one and a quarter hour examinations at the end of year twelve.
Pupils have to answer two questions out of a choice of four. Each examination paper counts as 25% of their final A2 grade, 50% of their final AS grade.
Philosophy of Religion course content:
- The existence of God – Cosmological Arguments
- The existence of God – Teleological Arguments
- Evil and Suffering
- An introduction to Religious Experience: Mysticism
Buddhism course content:
- The Life of the Buddha
- Some Central Concepts
- Buddhist Lifestyle
- Some Central Practices
Homework
The department regularly sets essays. Students will normally have fourteen days to complete an essay. Students will be expected to take part in debate / discussion and to give presentations. Students are expected to conduct themselves in personal wider reading (from the textbooks loaned to them), using the school library and conducting Internet research. Students are expected to use the department study room and to ‘log’ their use of it.
Please visit the WJEC (http://www.wjec.co.uk) homepage for the full specification content.
KS5 – A2 Level
Pupils follow the WJEC A2 Level Syllabus.
The options for study followed are RS 3 Philosophy of Religion and RS 4 HE Synoptic – Shared Human Experience (Life, Death and Life After Death). This is a compulsory module.
Pupils will sit two one and three quarter hour examinations at the end of year thirteen.
Pupils have to answer two questions out of a choice of four in the Philosophy examination. This counts as 25% of their final A2 grade.
Philosophy of Religion course content:
- Is religious faith rational?
- Is religious language meaningful?
- Is religious faith compatible with scientific evidence?
- Are we free beings?
Synoptic course content:
Pupils have to answer one two part question on ‘Life, Death and Life After Death’ in the Synoptic examination.
Pupil’s answer this essay based upon the ‘set question’ proposed by the examination board in the January of that examination year.
The students have to produce one essay based on the question in preparation for the examination. The answer is produced from the perspectives of: Christianity, Philosophy and Buddhism.
The examination counts for 25% of their final A2 grade.
Please visit the WJEC (http://www.wjec.co.uk) homepage for the full specification content.
Homework
The department regularly sets essays. Students will normally have fourteen days to complete an essay. Students will be expected to take part in debate / discussion and to give presentations. Students are expected to conduct themselves in personal wider reading (from the textbooks loaned to them), using the school library and from conducting Internet research. Students are expected to use the departmental study room and ‘log’ their use of it.
AS/A2 Study Room in the RS Department
The department has a study room that is primarily used by AS/A2 students during their PPA time to research, enhance and consolidate their learning in lessons. A ‘log’ sheet is kept by Mr. Church to record pupils use of the study room. This is discussed as part of the parents evening in both Y12 & Y13. The study room is also used by some students to complete homework during breaks / lunchtimes. With an RS teacher close by for assistance, it is a great benefit to all pupils across the key stages should they choose to use it!
KS5 – AS/A2 Level
County Examination Success 2000 – 2009
Overall Results:
Grade A = 15%
Grade A – C = 60%
Grade A – E = 98%
Grade A = 7 Grade B = 8 Grade C = 14 Grade D = 7 Grade E = 11
(Total Pupils = 48)
Overall AS/A2 Level Individual Module Results:
Grade A = 68 (4 x 100% – 3 AS/ 1 A2)
(18 x 90+% – 13 AS/ 5 A2)
Grade B = 59
Grade C = 66
Grade D = 78
Grade E = 56
* There are nineteen comprehensive schools in Rhondda Cynon Taff.
MACS Results
| Year | A – C | A – E | County Position A- C | County Position A – E |
| 2009 | 25% | 100% | (Awaiting) | (Awaiting) |
| 2008 | 100% | 100% | Joint First | Joint First |
| 2007 | 80% | 100% | Fifth | Joint First |
| 2006 | 100% | 100% | First | Joint First |
| 2004 | 100% | 100% | First | Joint First |
| 2003 | 75% | 100% | Third | Joint First |
| 2002 | 13% | 88% | ||
| 2001 | 20% | 100% | Fifth | Joint First |
| 2000 | 50% | 100% | Joint Third | Joint First |
(* Awaiting SACRE three year county examination results analysis to determine placement)
- County position placed on ‘ Top Five ’ placement.
Introducing the ‘ Philosophy Gym’ in the RS department
New to the RS department and also new to MACS in 2009 is the innovative and exciting philosophy gym! The former classroom of Miss. J. Thomas who retired in 2007 has been turned into a ‘Debating and Thinking Skills ’ classroom for use with all pupils, across all departments and across all key stages. The entire classroom is geared towards the ‘Critical Thinking Skills Agenda in Wales ’. Pupils have followed ‘P4C’ (philosophy for children) lesson formats as well as experimenting with different thinking skills activities.
Pupils have been very positive and excited about the varied new teaching and learning experiences that they have experienced within the gym. It has created a very healthy ‘buzz’ amongst pupils and the department is seeking to build upon this with numerous, varied ideas for its use. The philosophy gym has proved to be very interesting and intriguing to pupils and staff alike in MACS and also in the wider community. A number of teachers from other schools (secondary and primary) have already come to see for themselves what a philosophy gym in their own school could look like and how lessons in it could benefit their own pupils learning and enhance the delivery of teaching in their schools.
Mr. Church will be ‘ sharing good practice ’ in regards to the philosophy gym with fifteen staff at MACS in the autumn term. Mr. Church will be studying P4C levels 2 & 3 over the next two years.
Two articles written by Mr. Church on the creation of the philosophy gym in the RS department at MACS and the vision behind it will shortly be published in ‘ RE News ’ (circulation of over 8000+ copies) and the ‘ ESIS Headteachers’ Bulletin ’.
If you are interested in coming to look at the philosophy gym at MACS, to see how you might have your own philosophy gym in your primary or secondary school, visits can be arranged with Mr. D. Church who would be happy to give you a ‘ tour ’.
RS School Trips/ Visits/ Visitors
The Department has made numerous visits to places of worship. These include:
Numerous visits to St. Margaret’s Church, Mountain Ash
St. David’s Cathedral, St. David’s
Heath Evangelical Church, Cardiff (Sermon on ‘Suffering and Evil’)
The Liberal Synagogue, Cardiff
The Orthodox Synagogue, Cardiff
The Liberal Synagogue, Swansea
The Hindu Mandir, Cardiff
The Hindu Temple, Neasden, London
Theatre
‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ New Theatre, Cardiff
‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ Lyceum Theatre, London
‘Joseph and the Technicoloured Dreamcoat’ New Theatre, Cardiff
‘Heaven’s Gate, Hell’s Flames’ Coliseum Theatre, Aberdare
Other trips
Numerous visits to Llancaiach Fawr Manor House, Nelson. A2 Level ‘Ghost Hunting’ tours in preparation for the A2 Synoptic module (‘Assess the evidence for the existence of life after death).
‘The Hypnotic World of Paul McKenna’ St. David’s Hall, Cardiff (A Level Religion and Psychology).
Visitors
The department has had representatives of the Christian, Jewish, Muslim and Buddhist religions teach our pupils. The department has held pupil workshops with members of the clergy and also local churches. Christian unions have been held in MACS lunchtimes in the past for pupils who have wished to attend.
Pantego Church – Texas, USA
In June of 2004, twenty young people and a pastoral team from pantego Church in Texas spent the week at MACS. The young people split their time between sharing their Christian testimonies in lessons with pupils in the RS department and coaching MACS pupils in baseball and American football in the PE department. On the last evening of the visit, the group held a concert in MACS upper hall, which was full to the rafters of MACS pupils!
RS International School Trips
Mr. Church has organised and led three RS/Geography/Art trips to Italy.
In 2001, thirty-two pupils accompanied by Mr. Church, Mr. McEgan and Mrs. Cleaves visited Rome and Assisi on a nine-day excursion.
In 2005, forty pupils accompanied by Mr. Church, Mr. Hoffland, Mr. Barry, and Miss. Thomas and Miss. Parker visited Verona, Rome and Venice on a nine-day excursion. Our pupils were in the Vatican City itself witnessing history on the day that his Holiness, Pope John Paul 2nd passed away. One pupil also gave an interview to MTV!
In 2007, forty pupils accompanied by Mr. Church, Mr. Hoffland, Mr. Barry, Mrs. Cleaves and Miss. Thomas visited Rome, Venice and Florence on a nine-day excursion
In 2009, forty pupils, accompanied by Mr. Hoffland, Mr. Barry, Mrs. Cleaves and Miss Hacker visited Sorrento on a five-day excursion.
RS Department at MACS ‘In the News’
- An article on the RS trip to Italy 2001 featured in the ‘Cynon Valley Leader ’.
- An article on the RS trip to Italy 2005 featured in the ‘Cynon Valley Leader ’.
- An article on the SPUC RS essay competition won by a MACS pupil featured in the ‘Cynon Valley Leader ’.
- An article on the SPUC RS essay competition won by a MACS pupil featured in the ‘Pro-Life Times’ magazine.
- An article on the SPUC essay competition won by a MACS pupil featured in the ‘RE News’ (Wales) magazine. This has a circulation of 8,000+ copies.
- SPUC Website – ‘Robin McNair Essay Competion Winner 2003’
- An article on the ‘MACS Ambassadors to Auschwitz’ (2008) featured in the ‘Cynon Valley Leader ’.
- ITV Wales footage of the footage to Auschwitz 2008
- An article on the ‘MACS Ambassadors to Auschwitz’ (2010) featured in the ‘Cynon Valley Leader ’.
Coming soon:
An article written by Mr. Church on the creation of the ‘Philosophy Gym’ in the RS department at MACS. This will be featured in the autumn term edition of ‘RE News’ (Wales). This has a circulation of 8,000+ copies.
An article written by Mr. Church on the creation of the ‘Philosophy Gym’ in the RS department at MACS. This will be featured in the ‘ESIS Headteachers Bulletin’ which is sent to all the Headteachers in the counties of Rhondda Cynon Taf, Caerphilly, Bridgend and Merthyr Tydfil.
RS Competition Success
The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children
SPUC 2003
In 2003, one student entered the SPUC national essay competition for senior school students. The student wrote an essay entitled ‘ Is a human embryo a potential human life or a human life with potential? Discuss ’. Six months later, she was declared the first prizewinner in the UK of the competition. Her efforts were rewarded with £250 for herself, £250 for the RS department and a trip to the houses of parliament in London, to receive her prize from Mr. Alistair Burt MP in a ceremony held at Portcullis house. The winning essay became copyright of the SPUC. The student was the first ever welsh winner of this competition!
SPUC 2008
In 2008, one student entered the SPUC national essay competition for senior school students. The student wrote an essay entitled ‘Should a foetus that will be disabled be aborted? Discuss ’. Unfortunately, the pupil was not one of the three prizewinners but was credited with making up the list for the final ten schools from which the prizewinners were chosen.
Heythrop College, London – Philosophy Essay Prize.
An annual Philosophy essay competition is held every year for AS/A2 Level students with the first prize being £1000. One pupil entered this competition and made it through a number of judging rounds but did not reach the final shortlist.
NATRE: ‘Art in Heaven’ Poster Competition 2010
A number of pupils across the key stages are currently in the process of creating their submissions for this competition. Entries to Mr. Church in July please!
Ambassadors to Auschwitz
In 2008, MACS sent two sixth-form students to visit the concentration / death camps at Auschwitz-Birkenau in Poland. They went on this one-day visit as part of the ‘ Holocaust Educational Trust’, ‘ Lessons From Auschwitz ’ project. The students were part of the first ever welsh contingent that has participated in the program. The students returned to school and gave a PowerPoint presentation to GCSE and A Level students on the lessons that can be learned from The Holocaust. One pupil also gave a seminar and presentation to the local SACRE members as part of their annual meeting, which was hosted by MACS. An article about the MACS students’ visit was featured in the ‘ Cynon Valley Leader ’.
In 2010, another two students took part in this program. On their return to school, the students held a two-hour presentation / workshop which was delivered to the Y13 RS group, the MACS SMT, the schools’ chair of governors and local ESIS RE advisor. A presentation was also given to GCSE pupils. An article about the MACS students’ visit was also featured in the ‘ Cynon Valley Leader ’.
The school will hope to send another two students in 2011 and also in 2012.
RS Charity Fundraising
The RS department is committed to fundraising for various charitable organisations. MACS support a young boy in Tanzania to attend school through the charity ‘Action Aid’. Every Christmas time, Mr. Church seeks to raise £200 through a staff/sixth-form quiz, pupil donations and raffle prizes to provide Yasinni with another year of education at school. In the last four years, the £1000 required have been easily raised due to the generosity and continued support of staff and pupils alike.
Other Charities that have benefited from RS fundraising include:
Latch – £250
‘Everyone’s Child’ Romania – £357
The Salvation Army – £250
UNICEF Tsunami Appeal – £280
UNICEF Haiti Appeal £100
Comic Relief – £250
Children in need – £300
St. Margaret’s Church, Mountain Ash (‘Roof Appeal’) – £100
St. Margaret’s Church, Mountain Ash (General donation) – £150
The current total of funds raised by the RS department stands at over £3000+
RS University Success
Four previous pupils have successfully completed BA Hons degrees in Religious Studies/ Theology.
One of those pupils also gained an MA in Religious Studies.
All four pupils then undertook PGCE (RE) courses and are now qualified and practising RE/RS teachers in Wales and England.
One previous pupil gained a BA Hons degree in Philosophy.
One past pupil is currently studying for a BA Hons degree in Religious Studies at the prestigious Heythrop College, London.
One current Y13 pupil will be studying for a BA Hons degree in Religious Studies from September 2010.
Religious Studies and Careers
Some of the jobs linked to the subject include:
- Air Cabin Crew
- Charity Fundraiser
- Civil Servant
- Classroom Teacher (Primary)
- Classroom Teacher (Secondary RE/RS)
- Classroom Teaching Assistant
- Conference Organiser
- Diplomat
- District Nurse
- Doctor
- Health Promotion
- Hotel / Restaurant Manager
- Immigration Officer
- Import & Export Agent
- International Relations Officer
- Lawyer
- Market Research
- Politician
- Receptionist
- Religious Publisher
- Religious Leader e.g. Priest / Minister / Rabbi / Cleric
- Social Worker
- Travel Agent / Tour Rep
- Youth & Community Worker
Skills in Religious Studies include:
- The ability to read & write clearly
- The ability to express a personal viewpoint
- The ability to value an alternative viewpoint
- Understanding of other cultures
- Understanding of other beliefs, values and traditions
- Discussing ideas and formulating opinions
- Understanding current affairs
- Addressing the philosophical aspects of life
- ‘ Learning About Life ’
- Working independently
- Working in group situations
- Making presentations on a particular topic or theme
March 2011 – National month for ‘Showcasing’ RE/RS in schools
Watch this space for what will be happening in the RS department at MACS. . . .
