Religious Education Teachers’ Conference

Overview

Religious Education teachers know that for their subject to remain relevant and engaging it is vital that it includes non-religious perspectives alongside religious beliefs as part of a broad and balanced curriculum. This view is supported by the Secretary of State for Education and by the Religious Education Council for England and Wales.

Surveys consistently show that a high proportion of young people are not religious, and it is vital that these young people are able to explore their own beliefs as they develop their own moral and ethical framework that will take them through to adult life.

The case for including Humanism in RE as a non-religious worldview has never been stronger, but RE teachers will be the first to admit that they would value extra support and resources to be able to confidently include Humanism in lessons.

This day conference is aimed at Religious Education teachers, Head Teachers, Local Authority RE advisors, RE subject specialists and co-ordinators to increase teachers’ confidence and competence in planning and delivering lessons that include Humanism.

Attendees will:

• Increase their understanding of Humanism as a non-religious worldview and see how it can fit in to RE lessons and contribute to Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural development (SMSC)
• Get the latest update on the national picture and current state of play for Religious Education
• Hear directly from practitioners and teachers about how Humanism has improved pupils' and students' learning, in the context of practical ideas and examples
• Increase their own confidence and competence in delivering lessons on Humanism

Who should attend?

RE teachers, Head Teachers,  Local Authority RE advisors, and RE subject specialists.

Speakers and contributors: include Dr Stephen Law (philosopher and senior lecturer at Heythrop College, University of London), Dr Mark Chater (Culham St Gabriel’s Trust), Siobhán Anderson (3FF) will speak on encountering faiths and beliefs and the place for Humanism in dialogue, Sara Passmore (Head of Education and Promotion at the British Humanist Association) on support for schools and teachers, Maxine Beech (teacher and Farmington Fellow) speaking on developing resources, Karl Sweeney (Local Authority Education Adviser for Citizenship and PSHEE at Plymouth City Council) on dealing with difficult topics, Nora Leonard (Local Authority Advisor to Ealing SACRE) on working with SACREs and planning for including Humanism, Isabel Russo (Head of Ceremonies at the British Humanist Association) answering all your difficult questions, and Dermot Bolton, humanist SACRE representative and school volunteer. 

Registration:

Registration for this event is free. Light refreshments will be provided. For further information please contact sara@humanism.org.uk.

This conference would not be possible without the support Conway Hall Ethical Society:

Conway Hall is owned by Conway Hall Ethical Society and was first opened in 1929. The name was chosen in honour of Moncure Daniel Conway (1832 - 1907), anti-slavery advocate, outspoken supporter of free thought, and biographer of Thomas Paine.