Religious Studies is compulsory at GCSE?!

I suppose it depends which you think would be 'better for his future' - either being able to produce a balanced argument about tricky moral issues or being able to set up a spreadsheet in excel.

I love how you keep reiterating how bright he is. Like some subjects are beneath him and only less able students should do them while he has the entire timetable rewritten around him.

And you do realise that kids with an arts / humanities / languages background have to do at least two science GCSEs don't you? Do you think my dd (who loathes science and has no intention if a career in anything vaguely scientific) should be given special dispensation as well? (As it happens she got 2As and just got on with it)

It don't kill him. It's an "extra" gcse, and once he's in 6th form nobody gives s stuff that his GCSEs were in anyway.

Katurah, don't you think that the title for the course is an issue though? When DD said she wanted to take it as a GCSE, especially considering her school wouldn't allow any pupil, even the brightest to take more, I was quite taken by surprised as indeed, she has never expressed an interest in taking up religion. Like many, I assumed RE was about the teaching of the different religions from a faith perspective. It's not until DD described the curriculum that I realised it was more about philosophy, psychology and sociology all combined in one and an extremely valuable subject, especially when combined with science.

Which reminds me, DD said that there was quite a lot of overlaps between Biology and RE, as there was with PE.

You seem to have a complete misunderstanding of the curriculum. It's not about learning about religion per se. it's learning about the impact of religion in our cultures and societies.

The fact that your DS is very bright has nothing to do. DD is very bright too, studied triple sciences, and computer sciences, get As in all, and now studying Maths, Further Maths, Biology and Chemistry for a A levels. She chose RE as a GCSE and she said she probably learnt more about life with this course than all the other combined.

We are not a religious family, ironically, couldn't be more non practicing! I can't think of anyone in our family practice a faith, however, DD and DS are being brought up to respect people's different attitudes and diversity and I think that RE is the best subject to learn to be respectful of others around us.

DD wants to study medicine and become a doctor. One of the attributes medical schools are looking for in candidates is an understanding of Ethics. Having studied RE will give her an edge from that perspective.

I would highly value a school that makes RE compulsive!

At dds school everyone has to do it in year 10 and 11 for an hour. The more academic kids do a gcse, the others just have a lesson.

Dd loves it and is doing it for a level hopefully. Def more of a philosophy and ethics imho than religion.

I loved my RE teacher katurah she was the best, always had her office open for any pupil who needed a break from the rest of the school (quite often you'd find the 'naughty' ones in there doing their class work quietly away from the influence of their class) and she always had time for a chat.

Would just like to say as an RE teacher I found this thread to be a really great read - nice to see so many positive attitudes to my subject! We do still suffer from prejudice that is quite underserved from "the past" so it is great to see lots of support!

RE is NOT compulsory, either as a subject or GCSE. it is compulsory to be covered to a certain level during school time. Although I appreciate all the good aspects of this subject, I think it should NOT be classified as "religious". I am a committed atheist and member of the Humanist Association and I think it would be great if all the great things mentioned:
"ethical and moral issues. ....an opportunity to form opinions, construct an argument and join in healthy debate."
could be covered NOT under the umbrella of religion

However teen is correct in that it doesn't count as a humanity for ebacc. I think it should but as an option, not compulsory.

My Dd is an atheist but did A level RE, now has a degree in Philosophy.....lots of ethics in RE and a very valuable subject to do

All GCSE's are included in Progress 8.

RE is an excellent GCSE for those students who are good at essay writing, constructing an argument etc.

It's not for everyone.

RE is included in Progress 8

I don't think I ever opted DS1 out. He just didn't choose it in his options. He's out so can't ask him to confirm that.

To clarify RE is compulsory unless you opt out.

It is not compulsory via government to take a GCSE in it (the Gov doesn't even include it in ebacc (or has that now changed?)), but many schools take the view that if you have to study it you might as well get a qualification, and thus make it compulsory to enter the exam.

Summer
RE has always been compulsory
unless parents sign to opt out
DCs school made that last bit easy
and made the free slot useful

I did it at GCSE and quite enjoyed it and DP, a noted atheist, studied it at A level.

I'm glad to hear it is now compulsory, I took it for GCSE just over 10 years ago when it wasn't and it opened my mind to other religions and what they are about. There was absolutely no preaching in the subject, but instead it was more of a way of teaching us about the different beliefs and having grown up debates about what we believe/agree with and don't and why it's important to be accepting of other people's beliefs even if they're contradictory to our own; an important lesson I feel many adults could benefit from tbh, especially with the changes in our country and others over the past few years.

I'm extremely glad that neither of my kids had to waste a ear 10/11 slot on RE

they had had a gut full by year 8

but I totally support compulsory RE till year 7 as it creates Atheists by the thousand - just what the USA needs

I think it's a great GCSE. My DD is an atheist and it's her favourite subject, brilliant for honing your debating and critical thinking skills.

Most teachers I have spoken to are reluctant to predict anything at the moment AlexanderHamilton , bands or otherwise, especially at the higher end because it is so difficult to predict how things will look.
Maybe its different in other parts of the UK.

That's quite common cowgirls. Several teachers at dd's school are predicting bands rather than individual grades as its all a bit unknown. I was told by several teachers last year that dd should be in the 7-9 Grade band. Others were told their children were in the 4-6 band.

AlexanderHamiliton As well as yourself, the OP says her ds is predicted level 7-9.

I also agree with some of the other posters who say this subject is well rounded, it gives an education on so many different aspects of life today, its really not just about god (s).

Dp and I had this exact discussion this morning about compulsory gcse RE. I thought it was just me as I went to a catholic school. Although our syllabus didn't cover any other religions apart from Christianity. It may not be an interesting subject but it does also cover a range of moral topics as other posters have mentioned. Also it's pretty easy. I barely listened to any of the Christian garbage and still managed a B grade.

I don't think lots of people have mentioned Grade 9 cowgirls. I know I did, but dd is a bit of a one off. She has aspergers but a MENSA level IQ & she's been predicted an 8 but told to aim for a 9. This was after her RS teacher showed some of her work including under exsm conditions to a university theology lecturer who said it was compatible to what his undergrads produced.
Now being aspie means it could all go horribly meltdowny wrong on the day of course so no chickens or eggs are being counted.