Year 11: GCSE Religious Studies

What Year 11 Is About

Year 11 completes your GCSE Religious Studies course (AQA Specification A, 8062). You'll study Islamic practices (completing your study of Islam from Year 10), then move to the thematic studies that span Christianity and Islam. In the summer term, you'll revise both religions and exam papers intensively in preparation for your final GCSE exams. This is the year where evaluation skills truly matter, and where you'll become confident in handling complex questions about belief, practice, ethics, and contemporary issues.

Unit 25: Islam — Practices (Part 1)

Autumn 1 — The Five Pillars: Shahadah, Salah, Sawm, Zakah, and Hajj preparation

Lesson 1

The Five Pillars of Islam

Lesson 2

Shahadah: The Declaration of Faith

Lesson 3

Salah: The Five Daily Prayers

Lesson 4

Sawm: Fasting During Ramadan

Lesson 5

Zakah: Obligatory Charitable Giving

Lesson 6

Assessment: Islam Practices Part 1

Unit 26: Islam — Practices (Part 2)

Autumn 2 — Hajj, Jihad, Id-ul-Adha, Id-ul-Fitr, and Ashura

Lesson 1

Hajj: The Pilgrimage to Makkah

Lesson 2

The Rituals of Hajj

Lesson 3

Jihad: The Struggle

Lesson 4

Id-ul-Adha: Festival of Sacrifice

Lesson 5

Id-ul-Fitr and Ashura

Lesson 6

Assessment: Islam Practices Part 2

Unit 27: Thematic Study — Themes A & B

Spring 1 — Relationships & Families; Religion & Life

Lesson 1

Marriage, Divorce, and Family Life

Lesson 2

Sexual Relationships and Contraception

Lesson 3

Gender Equality and the Role of Women

Lesson 4

Origins of the Universe and Human Life

Lesson 5

Abortion, Euthanasia, and Life After Death

Lesson 6

Assessment: Themes A & B

Unit 28: Thematic Study — Themes D & E

Spring 2 — Peace & Conflict; Crime & Punishment

Lesson 1

Peace, Justice, and Reconciliation

Lesson 2

War and Weapons of Mass Destruction

Lesson 3

Victims of War and Peace Organisations

Lesson 4

Crime and Punishment

Lesson 5

The Death Penalty and Forgiveness

Lesson 6

Assessment: Themes D & E

Unit 29: Revision — Paper 1

Summer 1 — Christianity and Islam beliefs, teachings, and practices; Paper 1 exam strategy

Lesson 1

Christianity Beliefs & Teachings Revision

Lesson 2

Christianity Practices Revision

Lesson 3

Islam Beliefs & Teachings Revision

Lesson 4

Islam Practices Revision

Lesson 5

Paper 1 Exam Strategy

Lesson 6

Paper 1 Mock Exam

Unit 30: Revision — Paper 2

Summer 2 — Thematic studies revision and final exam preparation

Lesson 1

Theme A Revision: Relationships & Families

Lesson 2

Theme B Revision: Religion & Life

Lesson 3

Theme D Revision: Peace & Conflict

Lesson 4

Theme E Revision: Crime & Punishment

Lesson 5

Paper 2 Exam Strategy

Lesson 6

Final Mock Exam

How Year 11 Works

Complete Islamic studies — Units 25–26 finish your study of Islam with practices. Combined with Year 10's beliefs, you'll have comprehensive knowledge of Christianity and Islam for Paper 1.
Thematic studies (Themes A, B, D, E) — Units 27–28 introduce how Christians and Muslims respond to real-world ethical and social issues. These form the basis of Paper 2 questions.
Paper 1: Study of Religions — 192 marks covering Christianity and Islam beliefs, teachings, and practices. Assessed in Unit 29 mock.
Paper 2: Thematic Studies — 192 marks covering four themes (you choose one). Assessed in Unit 30 mock.
Evaluation and application matter — Both papers test your ability to analyse, evaluate, and apply religious teachings to contemporary situations.
Summer revision is intensive — Units 29–30 focus on bridging gaps, practising exam technique, and building confidence before your final exams.