Religious Studies is compulsory at GCSE?!

[AnnaK]

DS is in Yr 8 and is choosing his options. RE is a compulsory GCSE subject. He hates it! And surely it is illegal? According to the Gov.uk website children can be pulled out of it in KS3.

DS is super bright, expected grades ranging from 7 to 9 in all subjects and would rather concentrate on something useful to his future.

Any thoughts on how to proceed? I really do not want him wasting his time on RE when it could be better spent elsewhere.

Many thanks!

My kids went to the school that made GCSE part of the options blocks - neither did it
but they have been brought up listening to Radio4, discussing ethics and the world so I don't think they missed much

DS did Computing instead, DD did Latin.

You can withdraw your child but the school may not be able to accommodate a different subject. Have a chat with the school and see what they suggest.
Our school no longer has a compulsory gcse in RE instead they do a whole week a year of RE which includes visits and experiences and weekly tutorials cover a constant programme of RE associated topics.
I dont see the need for RE at gcse level unless you have a genuine interest in the subject.

The short course wasn't that interesting if I recall but the exam was alright (only one I got an A* in, and that's even with writing on the final essay question that "I refuse to answer this question as it goes against my religious beliefs" ) but the full course was apparently much more ethics and philosophy.

A Level RS is where its at though, I did the whole thing in one year after my old RS teacher persuaded me to do it and it was really interesting - there were only 3 of us doing it though.

Education is about more than getting a career. Every day in life he will encounter ethical and moral issues. It's fantastic to have an opportunity to form opinions, construct an argument and join in healthy debate. My dc all studied it and dd says it's the one that best prepared her for university as there was no rote learning and it enabled you to think for yourself. Encourage him to look on it as an opportunity.

If it's compulsory then he will be unable to take up a different subject as there will be no option groups running at that time for DS's year group.

For those saying IT is a waste of time (especially given he is taking CS) due to the change of curriculum throughout all key stageswe will soon be facing a severe skills shortage as ICT is very different just as the OP has acknowledged, but that is for a different thread

DS is doing RS in his own time as an extra GCSE. He really enjoys it but then again, his strengths appear to lie in essay based, critical thinking types of subjects.

On a slightly different note I am amazed at all these children who are predicted level 9s. Does anybody even know what a level 9 will actually look like

Think of it as ethics and philosophy more. Its becoming a much more respected subject with higher numbers also choosing it for A level i read somewhere.
Its alot more debating etc and subjects covered can even help them to "have an opinion" and some knowledge on dome gritty subjects, which all helps with some uni and job interviews.

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.

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 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).

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

RE is included in Progress 8

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.

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

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.

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