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Should children be forced to take RE for gcse?

Lars360

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i had to take it and didn't really enjoy the subject, i'm not religious and i don't like essay writing- however RE is compulsory until KS5 anyway so it makes sense to do the GCSE and get something out of it. it's also not massively difficult as essay writing skills transfer from english etc and there's not masses of content- i don't see the harm in having an extra gcse tbh but i dont think it should be forced if someone's already struggling with workload as obviously english/maths etc are more important

tldr i don't have much of an opinion

(edited 2 years ago)

Reply 3

username5319484

It wasn't compulsory at my school and not doing RE hasn't affected my life so far so no. I'm more of a science person anyways essay subjects aren't my thing.

Reply 4

username5794123

No. In the grand scheme of things, the GCSE RE curriculum is too shallow to really have any meaningful impact on anybody, bar from the exams.

Reply 5

londonmyst

No.
RE, PE, sports studies, music and foreign languages should all be optional to study at gcse.

Reply 6

nikkiblonsky

Original post by londonmyst

No.
RE, PE, sports studies, music and foreign languages should all be optional to study at gcse.

@Reality Check (my son) is choosing his gcse options soon I am totally not going to force him to do any subjects :colone:

Reply 7

rxyaltyx

no, i dont think it's necessary

Reply 8

Violet5567

I think its important to know about other religions espescially in the uk where so much misinformation gets spread.
but i think they should change the exam style though or just make it like PE where we have to do the work without doing an exam or being graded.
i understand other peoples povs why should they learn about something they dont even believe in, but i think it helps break down social barriers and again prevents misinformation that could lead to more serious things like racism and violence

Reply 9

Reality Check

Original post by nikkiblonsky

@Reality Check (my son) is choosing his gcse options soon I am totally not going to force him to do any subjects :colone:

Mum....this is like super embarrassing....

Reply 10

nikkiblonsky

Original post by Reality Check

Mum....this is like super embarrassing....

(slaps you across the head) oh hush im just trying to make small talk with the other adults, oh look isnt that your friend over their? Lets go say hello!

Reply 11

Admit-One

Universities Forum Helper

I did RE at high school before GCSE’s. It wasn’t an interesting or useful subject so it would also be a no from me.

Reply 12

the bear

yes it is the most important of all school subjects :yep:

Reply 13

nikkiblonsky

Original post by the bear

yes it is the most important of all school subjects :yep:

explain your reasoning for this (12)

you may use
quotes to support your arguments
religious teachings
your use of english will be assessed as well

Reply 14

Reality Check

Given that kids aren't forced to take a MFL or something like history for GCSEs, then a niche subject like Religious Studies certainly shouldn't be mandated. We don't force religion down people's throats like this in the UK, thank goodness.

Reply 15

uglyplushy

no, if people want to learn about it then they should take it. otherwise i don't see the point of forcing it onto everybody who isn't willing to learn it. i don't really know how the stuff i'm learning in RE will help me in the future.