Religious Studies
King's College Taunton - Somerset
01823328200
South Road, Taunton, TA1 3LA
Course summary

This A-level course is officially called Religious Studies but it is essentially the philosophy of religion and ethics (hence the name of the department at King’s). During the two-year A-level, pupils learn that merely holding an opinion is not good enough. Hitler had opinions. Islamic State has opinions. Pupils will also learn that tolerance is insufficient as a guiding principle for life. There are many things we ought not to tolerate: slavery, racism, sexism, terrorism, genocide. Commitment to an unexamined set of opinions and tolerance of every other unexamined set of opinions will not get us very far if we want to become deep thinkers and live good lives. As Socrates said, ‘An unexamined life is not worth living.’ The aim of this subject is to turn pupils into a deep thinker, critically aware not just of the world around them and the variety of religious and other belief structures, but of the world of ideas that serve as its foundation. We aim above all else to make pupils into interesting conversationalist, able to talk about and share ideas. Is it necessary to say that every employer highly values those who can think well and share ideas? To be the best you can be – whether that is a lawyer, doctor, business leader or academic – you need to discipline the mind and train in philosophy.

Entry requirements

To embark on A-levels or a BTEC pupils should have five grades 6 (b) in GCSE/IGCSE and at least grade 4 (OR C) in Mathematics and English in exceptional circumstances the Head Master may allow pupils to join the sixth form without achieving this hurdle as long as motivation can be guaranteed. Such an arrangement be reviewed termly. We strongly recommend pupils start A-levels having achieved a grade 7(or A) GCSE/IGCSE in each of the subjects they have chosen, or in subjects similar to those they have chosen. In addition, pupils should not start Mathematics or a Science A-level Without having achieved a grade 7(or A) in Mathematics

How you'll be assessed

School Info

About Education Provider

RegionSouth West
Local AuthoritySomerset
Ofsted Rating
Gender TypeCo-Educational
ISI ReportView Report
Boarding Fee£41,355
Sixth Form Fee£27,480
AddressSouth Road, Taunton, TA1 3LA