United Kingdom Year 10 Religious Education (Key Stage 4)

Religious Education (RE) in Year 10 (Key Stage 4) in the United Kingdom is a statutory subject, meaning all state-funded schools must offer it unless parents choose to withdraw their children. While there isn't a national curriculum for RE, schools often use locally agreed syllabuses or exam board specifications to guide their teaching.

Key Stage 4 Structure

Key Stage 4 encompasses Years 10 and 11, typically for students aged 14-16. While RE is compulsory, students aren't required to take a GCSE exam in the subject. However, many schools offer GCSE Religious Studies as an option.

GCSE Religious Studies Options

Several exam boards offer GCSE Religious Studies qualifications, each with its own specification:

• AQA: AQA offers two GCSE specifications (A and B), covering a range of religious and philosophical topics.
• Edexcel: Edexcel also offers two GCSE specifications (A and B), allowing students to study different religions and themes.
• Eduqas: Eduqas' GCSE focuses on developing learners' understanding of religious and non-religious beliefs.
• WJEC: WJEC offers a GCSE in Religious Studies, with the new specification available from September 2025.

GCSE courses typically involve the study of specific religions (e.g., Christianity, Islam) and exploring broader themes such as ethics, philosophy of religion, and religious experiences.

Non-GCSE Religious Education

For students not taking GCSE Religious Studies, schools continue to provide RE lessons throughout Key Stage 4. The content and structure of these lessons may vary depending on the school's locally agreed syllabus.