pilgrimage
4 detailed 50-minute lessons with teaching scripts, worked examples, parent guides, and assessment criteria.
Lesson Overview
Total Lessons: 4
Tier: Foundation and Higher
Duration: 50 minutes per lesson (200 minutes total)
Exam Boards: AQA, Edexcel, OCR, Eduqas, CCEA
Tier: Foundation and Higher
Duration: 50 minutes per lesson (200 minutes total)
Exam Boards: AQA, Edexcel, OCR, Eduqas, CCEA
Learning Objectives
- Explain the key ideas of pilgrimage
- Apply pilgrimage to exam-style questions
- Develop independent study skills
- Build cross-topic connections
Prerequisites
- Read the revision notes for pilgrimage first (GCSE Revise summary)
- Key vocab to pre-teach: Exam Tip, RS Exam Tips — Pilgrimage
- Basic skills: reading the summary notes and answering the practice questions there
Materials & Equipment
- Exercise book, coloured pens
- Ruler
- Printed revision notes (link below)
- Internet for videos (see Resources)
Lesson 1: Introduction: pilgrimage
Duration: 50 minutes
Starter Activity (5 minutes)
Quick Recall
Write down everything you already know about pilgrimage. Then check against the key terms: Exam Tip, RS Exam Tips — Pilgrimage. Use a mini-whiteboard or paper.
Main Content (35 minutes)
Parent/Teacher Guide:
Before lesson: Read the script below. Pre-teach key vocab: Exam Tip, RS Exam Tips — Pilgrimage.
If stuck: Re-read the revision notes (link above), then break the content into smaller steps.
Extension: See the Stretch & Challenge ideas in Lesson 4.
Before lesson: Read the script below. Pre-teach key vocab: Exam Tip, RS Exam Tips — Pilgrimage.
If stuck: Re-read the revision notes (link above), then break the content into smaller steps.
Extension: See the Stretch & Challenge ideas in Lesson 4.
Teaching Script (35 mins):
Mins 0-5 - Hook: "Today: pilgrimage. By the end you will be able to answer exam questions on it unaided. It connects to the rest of Religious Studies because the ideas here recur across the spec."
Mins 5-20 - Direct Instruction: Work through the core ideas below one at a time; after each, ask your student to explain it back in their own words.
Mins 20-30 - Guided Practice: Model the worked example together, then let your student attempt the first practice question with guidance.
Mins 30-35 - Independent Practice: 2-3 practice questions from Lesson 3 below, with immediate feedback.
Mins 0-5 - Hook: "Today: pilgrimage. By the end you will be able to answer exam questions on it unaided. It connects to the rest of Religious Studies because the ideas here recur across the spec."
Mins 5-20 - Direct Instruction: Work through the core ideas below one at a time; after each, ask your student to explain it back in their own words.
Mins 20-30 - Guided Practice: Model the worked example together, then let your student attempt the first practice question with guidance.
Mins 30-35 - Independent Practice: 2-3 practice questions from Lesson 3 below, with immediate feedback.
First Look
Start with the revision notes summary, then attempt: Explain why Lourdes is an important place of pilgrimage for Catholics.
Plenary (5 minutes)
Check Out
Your student states one thing they learned and one question they still have about pilgrimage.
Lesson 2: Core Concepts: pilgrimage
Duration: 50 minutes
Starter Activity (5 minutes)
Review Previous Lesson
Quick recap: write 3 key points from Lesson 1 on pilgrimage. Check them against the notes below.
Main Content (35 minutes)
Key Fact: Pilgrimage is not a sacrament and is not required by Christianity, but many Christians find it deepens their faith. Key reasons for pilgrimage include: seeking spiritual renewal, asking for healing, expressing devotion, walking in Jesus' footsteps, and connecting with Christian history.
Exam Tip: When comparing Lourdes and Iona, focus on the contrast: Lourdes is Catholic, associated with Mary and healing miracles, and attracts millions seeking physical cures. Iona is ecumenical, associated with contemplation, peace and social justice, and attracts those seeking spiritual renewal. Both are journeys of faith but with very different emphases.
RS Exam Tips — Pilgrimage: 1. For Pilgrimage questions, always include specific scriptural or source references where relevant 2. Explain both religious and non-religious viewpoints 3. Use specialist vocabulary precisely (e.g. terms from the specification) 4. Evaluate by analysing strengths and weaknesses of different views before reaching your conclusion 5. Link your discussion of Pilgrimage to its real-world impact on believers and society
Practice (10 minutes)
Q: Explain why Lourdes is an important place of pilgrimage for Catholics.
Answer: Lourdes is important because the Virgin Mary appeared to Bernadette Soubirous there in 1858. Mary revealed a spring of water that is believed to have healing properties — the Church has officially recognised 70 miraculous cures. Catholics go on pilgrimage to Lourdes to seek healing, to pray at the grotto where Mary appeared, to bathe in the water, and to join in processions and Mass. It is a place where Catholics feel especially close to Mary and experience God's healing love.
Plenary (5 minutes)
Explain Back
Your student teaches the key points back to you without looking. Fill any gaps immediately.
Lesson 3: Application: pilgrimage
Duration: 50 minutes
Starter Activity (5 minutes)
Quick Recall
Recall the key terms: Exam Tip, RS Exam Tips — Pilgrimage. Define each in one sentence.
Main Content (35 minutes)
Parent/Teacher Guide: Let your student attempt each question alone first, then compare with the model answer. Award method marks for correct working even if the final answer is wrong.
Q1: Explain why Lourdes is an important place of pilgrimage for Catholics.
Answer: Lourdes is important because the Virgin Mary appeared to Bernadette Soubirous there in 1858. Mary revealed a spring of water that is believed to have healing properties — the Church has officially recognised 70 miraculous cures. Catholics go on pilgrimage to Lourdes to seek healing, to pray at the grotto where Mary appeared, to bathe in the water, and to join in processions and Mass. It is a place where Catholics feel especially close to Mary and experience God's healing love.
Q2: "Pilgrimage is a waste of time and money." Evaluate this statement.
Answer: Some argue pilgrimage is wasteful because the money spent on travel could help the poor, and God can be worshipped anywhere (Matthew 18:20). However, Christians who go on pilgrimage say it deepens their faith in ways that ordinary worship cannot — visiting sacred places connects them to Christian history and the experiences of other believers. At Lourdes, many find comfort and healing. At Iona, pilgrims find peace and renewed commitment to justice. Whether it is wasteful depends on whether spiritual experiences have genuine value.
Plenary (5 minutes)
Error Review
Review any questions answered incorrectly. Identify whether the error was knowledge, method, or reading the question.
Lesson 4: Exam Practice: pilgrimage
Duration: 50 minutes
Starter Activity (5 minutes)
Command Words
Review what these command words require: state (one point), describe (say what happens), explain (say why), compare (both sides), evaluate (judgement).
Main Content (35 minutes)
Exam-Style Question
Attempt a past-paper style question on pilgrimage from the exam board past paper finder (see Resources), then mark it against the scheme.
Exam Tips: Always refer to specific sources of authority (scripture, sacred texts, religious leaders) | Explain contrasting beliefs — different views within and between traditions | Use key terminology precisely (e.g. tawhid, atonement, sanctity of life) | For 12-mark evaluation questions, consider both sides before reaching a justified conclusion | Link beliefs to their impact on individuals, communities and society | Acknowledge diversity — no religious tradition has a single, uniform view
Common Errors: Watch Out! Students often think all Christians celebrate the Eucharist in the same way. Wrong: "All Christians believe the bread and wine literally become Jesus' body and blood." Correct: "Catholics believe in transubstantiation; Protestants have different views including consubstantiation and memorial symbolism."
Stretch & Challenge (Grade 8-9):
- Synoptic links: explain how pilgrimage connects to another Religious Studies topic you have studied
- Real-world: research one real-world use or example of pilgrimage
- Critical: "What are the limitations of the models used in pilgrimage?"
Plenary (5 minutes)
Assessment Criteria
- Got it: Confident explanation + correct worked examples
- Getting there: Main points OK, needs support with detail
- Not yet: Confused on key concepts - re-run Lesson 2
Homework & Consolidation
- Consolidation: Re-answer any Lesson 3 practice questions answered incorrectly (20 mins)
- Retrieval: Write flashcards for the key terms: Exam Tip, RS Exam Tips — Pilgrimage (10 mins)
- Exam practice: One past-paper question on pilgrimage from the board websites (15 mins)
- Extension: Explain pilgrimage to someone else in your own words (10 mins)