Learning to teach Religious Education at Key Stage 4

The improvements at Key Stage 4 Religious Education (RE) are significant. The numbers of pupils taking GCSE examinations in the subject have grown considerably; in 2004, Ofsted reported numbers having risen to around 400,000. This chapter charts recent developments in RE at Key Stage 4 and seeks to explain the reasons for the improvements in recent years. Issues over teaching and learning at KS4 are explored, in particular, effective planning and assessment. We look at how to ensure that ‘teaching to the test’ and preparing pupils for GCSE examinations embody

excellent practice. The question of appropriate pedagogy is explored in relation to the questions of relevance, motivation and academic rigour.