Chinmaya Academy is pleased to offer its GCSE Religiouos Studies (GCSE RS) course starting 22 September 2024 focussed on Hinduism and Sikhism for teenagers presently aged 13 or 14.
The objective of these in-person classes is to prepare students to gain a cohesive understanding of Hinduism and Sikhism within the context of the UK based AQA GCSE syllabus.
Why take up this course?
Since most schools do not offer this combination of subjects, our GCSE RS course is an opportunity for students to:
- opt out of the Religious Studies at GCSE level in their respective schools, which often do not allow for Hinduism and Sikhism to be studied and instead benefit from the GCSE through Chinmaya Academy’s offering of the GCSE RS focussed on Hinduism and Sikhism
- potentially attain the GCSE RS by the end of year 10, helping students gain experience and practice of GCSE exam techniques a year before they sit the remainder of their GCSEs through their respective schools (normally at the end of year 11)
- study the GCSE through an interactive and fun filled approach towards learning the age old traditions and values of Hinduism and Sikhism. The academic course will be enhanced with workshops and additional talks from practising Hindus and Sikhs
- benefit from an ideal environment for young budding individuals to question and enquire issues faced in modern life in the context of the principles of the most ancient religious traditions. The course is structured to give a practical application of the philosophy of Hinduism and Sikhism on a day to day basis.
Information about the course: See our information pack for information on the timings of the course, fees and other details
Please note the Venue will be: Chinmaya Kirti, 2 Egerton Gardens, Hendon NW4 4BA
Registration: We would be pleased to receive your child’s registration which you can provide by using the following registration link
Frequently asked questions
We would be pleased to receive your child’s registration which you can provide by using the following registration link.
Please register for the course by 8 September 2024. A discount of £15 off the first term’s fees is available for those that have registered and paid by 18 August 2024.
The course is open to students who will be 13 or 14 years old by 31 August 2024, with birthdays on or before 31 August 2011. This is usually students who are starting school year 9 or year 10 in September 2024.
This will not be possible. We are applying the age limits strictly. The students in the cohort starting in September 2024 will form a class of students who are of a similar age and in year 9 or 10 in school. This enables students to have a shared experience based on similar age groups and groundings based on their school experience.
The course covers material such as euthanasia and other social issues which are not appropriate for participation by younger students.
Shibani Kaushik will be the teacher who will be assisted by Meera Wadhwani and others. See slide 7 of the information pack.
The course starts on Sunday 22 September 2024 and will conclude with the GCSE exams in May / June 2026. The dates for the GCSE exam are not presently set. The teaching timetable is set out on page 9 of the information pack
The cost is £140 / term. Students in our Junior CHYK programme will have a concessionary rate of £100 / term.
An early payment discount of £15 off the first term’s fees is available for any students registering on or before 18 August 2024.
The cost includes all materials and the text book as well as a Microsoft365 account for the duration of the course.
Please note that we will not be providing meals. Students are expected to bring along their own packed lunch.
If any outings or trips are organised we will write to you separately for consent and informing you of the related cost.
Each student will need to bring:
- Writing materials
- A computer / tablet on which they can log into their Chinmaya Academy account
- Their text book that will be provided by Chinmaya Academy
The GCSE covers both fundamentals and more advanced subject matter for both faiths. Examples of fundamentals include worship rituals, festivals and sacred texts. Examples of more advanced subject matter include views on same-sex marriage and euthanasia
The GCSE exam requires questions to be answered in 2 religions. We are offering the course in Hinduism and Sikhism which are not available in most schools.
Yes. The course is not restricted to those that come from a Sikh background.
Yes. The course is not restricted to those that come from a Hindu background.
Students are expected to engage respectfully in class discussions and activities. We aim to create a safe and comfortable learning environment. They will have several breaks during the day.
The teaching day will start with opening prayers at 10am on the dates we have communicated and end with closing prayers at 4pm. If there is any deviation from this, it will be communicated in advance.
During the day, students will participate in approximately 4.5 hours of classes with 45 minute break for lunch and shorter breaks of 15 minutes each before and after lunch.
Lunch time will normally be between 12:25pm and 1:10pm. Students will need to bring some packed lunch but will be able to refill their water bottles during the day. All food brought to Chinmaya Kirti must be vegetarian. We request you to please take care that students do not bring any non-vegetarian products including fish and eggs into the building. No alcohol or tobacco is permitted in the building either.
No. On each of the relevant study dates students will need to be present at Chinmaya Kirti, 2 Egerton Gardens, London. NW4 4BA.
An online version of the GCSE RS course is being developed and details will be provided in due course.
Chinmaya Academy is not currently providing a GCSE RE course for adults. We are in the process of creating a non-GCSE course on Hinduism for adults. Details will be provided in due course
The exams for the proposed GCSE course will be in May / June 2026. The exact dates are not known yet
The course will be taught on 1 Sunday per month starting September 2024 and finishing in May / June 2026
Contact: Please feel free to contact the GCSE RS team on academy@chinmayauk.org for further information.