The Religious Studies Department at Nonsuch is a well-established and
rapidly growing department. Currently it consists of the Head of Department,
two full-time subject specialists and one part-time member of staff.
Religious Studies at Nonsuch is multi-faith in focus, in line with legal
requirements, and our schemes of work are based on the Sutton Agreed
Syllabus. There is an emphasis on active learning where students are
encouraged to investigate new ideas and information; lively debates
and discussions help students to appreciate a variety of views on a
given subject. The subject is well received by all students who are
motivated and challenged by the subject matter.
Religious Studies is taught throughout the school. At Key Stage 3 students
examine the major world religions through a combination of systematic
and thematic study. They are also given an opportunity to consider significant
moral and philosophical issues. All students follow a short course GCSE
in Religious Studies and those who wish may opt to do a full course
GCSE (following the Edexcel specifications). At Key Stage 5 all students
follow some lessons of Religious Studies as part of the General Studies
programme. A Level Religious Studies has proved to be a popular course
with the introduction of the Edexcel course in Philosophy of Religion
and Religious Ethics.
In 2004 the examination results were excellent. 82% of students attained
an A grade at Alevel. The remaining 18% students achieved B grades.
At GCSE 83% of students gained an A* or A grade for their short course
qualification, and 95% of students who sat the full course examination
were awarded an A* or A grade. These results are well above the national
average.