Autumn 2016 Edition

RE NEWS

AUTUMN 2016 EDITION

Training & Resource Edition

Welcome to this Autumn’s fabulous addition of RE NEWS. Here you can find out about up and coming events, useful resources and some great activities for the Staff Room. Each addition will focus on a different area to help enhance your knowledge.

Diocesan Training can be found by clicking the link below: http://www.oxford.anglican.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/CPD-programme- 2016_17.pdf or The CPD booklet which has been sent to schools

To book any of these training courses please contact Donna Finlay via E mail [email protected] or 01865 208272

Contents Up & Coming CPD Courses...... 3 RE Network Meetings ...... 4 National Training Opportunities Part 1 ...... 5 National Training Opportunities Part 2 ...... 6 National Training Opportunities Part 3 ...... 7 Where to look for RE Support part 1 ...... 8 Where to look for RE Support part 2 ...... 9 New Resources for Primary Schools ...... 10 Resources for Secondary Schools ...... 11 An After Thought...... 12

Up & Coming CPD Courses.

Enquiry Based Bible Teaching

This is a one-day course exploring ways of using the Bible in class. Delegates will look at concepts, narratives and values and how the Bible can support the teaching of Christianity

22nd September, 9.30-3.30 Warfield Church, Church Lane, Warfield, RG42 6EE Schools in Diocesan SLA: £90 + VAT Schools not in Diocesan SLA: £135 + VAT

So you’re the new RE Subject leader

This one-day course is designed for anyone who has recently taken on the role of RE Subject leader and wishes to explore ways to make the most of the exciting opportunities it opens up.

7th October 9.30-3.30 Church House Oxford, Langford Locks, Kidlington, OX5 1GF Schools in Diocesan SLA: £90 + VAT Schools not in Diocesan SLA: £135 = VAT

RE Central – RE Conference

This conference will focus on encounter with believers in the classroom and will feature national speakers including Dilwyn Hunt, Kathryn Wright and Julia Diamond-Conway. There will be 4 workshop/discussion groups as well as a keynote and short plenary.

17th March 9.30-3.30 Oxford Belfry Hotel, Milton Common, Thame, OX9 2JW Schools in Diocesan SLA: £125 + VAT Schools not in Diocesan SLA: £150

Understanding Christianity

The newest RE resource from RE Today and the Church of England, the Understanding Christianity materials are only available to those who participate in 15 hours of training. The aim of the course is to revolutionise the way that Christianity is taught in schools, ensuring that it raises biblical and religious literacy. Exploring 8 key concepts and using big questions it deals with the salvation narrative that underpins much Christian teaching. This will be session 1 of 3 and attendance at all three is essential for gaining access to the full range of materials.

5th or 15th May 2017 9.30-4 (TBC) Location - Church House Oxford Schools in Diocesan SLA: TBC - Schools not in Diocesan SLA: TBC Cohort 1 (Cohort 2 is planned to start in autumn 2017)

RE Network Meetings The focus at each of these meetings will be on the latest developments in RE, resources, assessment and we would particularly like people to share examples of good practice. These meetings are for you so if you have ideas or requests for a particular topic, please let me Anne Andrews know and we will endeavour to tackle all your requests. Please make sure that you book in plenty of time for the sessions you wish to attend Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes: * Meetings from 3.45pm-5.15pm Please book with: [email protected] Hazlemere School, Amersham Road, Hazlemere, High Wycombe, HP15 7PZ Autumn: 11/10 /16 Spring: 18/01/17 Summer: 26/04/17 St Mary & St Giles CE Junior School, King George Crescent, Stony Stratford, MK11 1EF Autumn: 23/11/16 Spring: 09/03/17 Summer: 06/06/17 Weston Turville School, School Approach, Main Street, Weston Turville, HP22 5RW Autumn: 01/11/16 Spring: 06/02/17 Summer: 22/05/17

Oxfordshire: *Please book with: [email protected] Meetings are from 3.45-5.15 St John the Evangelist CE Primary School, Bluebell Way, Carterton, Oxfordshire, OX18 1JF Autumn: 6/10/16 Spring: 02/02/17 Summer: 18/05/17 Benson CE Primary School, Oxford Road, Benson, Oxfordshire, OX10 6LX Autumn: 04/10/16 Spring: 31/01/17 Summer: 23/05/17 Church House Oxford, Langford Locks, Kidlington, OX5 1GF Autumn: 27/09/16 Spring: 25/01/17 Summer: 09/05/17 St Edburg`s CE Primary School, Pioneer Way, Bicester, Oxfordshire, OX26 1BF Autumn: 09/11/16 Deddington CE Primary School, Earls Lane, Deddington, Nr Banbury, Oxfordshire, OX15 0TJ Dates to follow Abingdon St Nicolas CE Primary School, Boxhill Walk, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 1HB Autumn: 10/11/16

Berkshire * Please Book Through the Appropriate LA - from 4.15pm-5.30pm Bracknell Forest – Easthampstead Park Education Centre, Wokingham, Berkshire, RG40 3DB Autumn: 10/11/16 Spring: 22/02/17 Summer: 25/05/17 RBWM: Meetings from 4-5.30 Other dates to follow Autumn 15/11/16 Wraysbury Primary School, Welley Road Staines, TW19 5DJ

National Training Opportunities Part 1

If you are reading this newsletter, then you are probably teaching RE already; like many RE teachers though you may feel that you don’t really know as much as you would like about the subject. If that describes you, then TEACH RE may be just the course for you. Do you feel that you have to teach about religions and world views that you know little about? Would you like to explore new ways of applying subject knowledge about religions and beliefs to actual classroom practice? There are 4 different courses to choose from, according to your needs and each course has 3 pathways: standard, fast track or super-fast track. Most courses have 3 or 4 modules.

Find out more information on the Teach RE website: www.teachre.co.uk

1. Teach RE Subject Knowledge This course is aimed at those who are about to embark on initial teacher training to become secondary school RE teachers. This course focuses specifically on developing subject knowledge. The modules take the form or essays and PowerPoint presentations. Cost: £150 Note: If you want to supplement this course with further subject knowledge modules, please speak to the course director when you register.

2. Teach RE Complete This course is for primary and secondary teachers working in all phases of education. It can be tailored to subject leaders who want to work towards RE Quality Mark, or can support a teacher who has another specialism and is required to teach GCSE Religious Studies. The course aims at helping all those who want to understand the purpose of RE, as well as developing different areas of expertise. Cost: £150

3.Teach RE Module Only This course is for serving secondary teachers who want to improve their subject knowledge to teach specific aspects of the GCSE and A level specifications. It is not available to those without qualified teacher status. Cost: £70 per module (up to a maximum of two modules)

4.Teach RE LITE This course is for those currently undertaking primary initial teaching training or for those in their NQT year in a primary school or academy. The course helps those entering the primary teaching profession to understand the purpose of RE and how to teach it effectively. Cost: £90

Further details about the course can be found by downloading the trainee handbook. You can also email [email protected] for more information

“I would thoroughly recommend the course to anyone wanting to increase their subject knowledge or confidence in RE. The support you get from Culham St Gabriel’s and from the tutor you are linked to is excellent and I can assure you that the benefits will be immeasurable!” Rhiannon Love, Senior Lecturer in Teacher Development, responsible for Primary RE and Philosophy for Children (P4C) on the BEd/MEd and PG programmes at Winchester University.

National Training Opportunities Part 2

Masters in Education 3forRE Scheme

Are you teaching Religious Education (RE) in a Primary, secondary or special school in the UK?

Are you hoping to become a subject leader or co-ordinator, or Head of an RE Department?

Are you looking for affordable, accredited professional development?

The 3forRE Scheme helps by highlighting Masters programmes that are part-time, classroom-relevant, research- informed and well evaluated. RE teachers taking these programmes go on to form the next-generation leadership of the RE professional community locally and nationally.

The Masters programmes offer a research-informed, inspection-relevant critical perspective on how to improve RE. They deliver up to date insights on current research and policy developments such as the Religion and Society project and the RE Council’s National Curriculum Framework for RE. The Masters programmes are relevant for many different school contexts including academies, community schools and schools with a religious character.

A Masters programme – is it for me?

Yes, it could be for you if you want to:

· Use research and critical perspectives to improve the quality of RE teaching in your school;

· Understand how the purpose, planning, teaching and assessment of RE have changed in the light of national and international developments;

· Work with other professionals in RE and other subjects to become part of the wider discussion about RE, and disseminate improvement;

· Develop your CV and prepare for greater responsibility as a subject coordinator or head of department.

How could a Masters programme help me improve RE?

The programmes in the 3forRE Scheme are specially chosen because they use research and inspection evidence to address the recurrent national weaknesses in RE by promoting:

· Appropriate breadth and depth in subject knowledge;

· Clear understanding of the purpose and pedagogy of RE;

· Assessment, attainment, feedback and pupil progress;

· Leadership capacity.

Check the website: http://www.cstg.org.uk/grants/3forre/ for more information about the programme and grants that may be available as they launch the next round. The scheme has been running since 2013

Please contact Anne Andrews: [email protected] if you are interested in applying for this scheme as Anne may be able to support your application and study.

National Training Opportunities Part 3

Is there an area of RE practice that you would love to research? Could your work benefit the RE world at large?

If you think so then explore a Farmington Scholarship and gain funding to do what you love.

The aim of the Farmington Institute is to support and encourage teachers of Religious Education in schools, and Headteachers working on values and standards. It is financed by the Farmington Trust.

The Institute awards Scholarships to UK teachers of Religious Education in schools and headteachers, publishes discussion papers and arranges conferences. The Scholarships may be divided into two types: university-based and school/home-based. Teachers who live within a reasonable distance of one of the selected universities or colleges may be awarded a university-based Scholarship. The academic facilities of the colleges and universities are available for Scholars.

Who Is eligible? The Scholarships are for teachers of Religious Education currently teaching in secondary schools, and primary school RE co-ordinators or other primary school teachers involved in teaching RE, in the South-West region of England.

What subjects may be studied? Scholars are free to study any aspect of Religious Education they wish but preference will be given to applicants whose work can be seen to be of direct value to the teaching of RE in schools.

How much will it cost? The Scholarship will cover the cost of tuition, essential local travel and, by negotiation with the school, the salary of a replacement teacher up to point 6 of the main pay scale.

What is required of the Scholars? All Scholars are expected to produce an outline study plan of their project, which must be sent to the Director of the Farmington Institute before the start of the Scholarship. Towards the end of the Scholarship, the Scholar will give a presentation on their work at the University/School and again at our 2017 conference. All Scholars are expected to produce a written report on the work they have undertaken, which must be sent to the Farmington Institute on completion of the Scholarship. During the period of the Scholarship, there will be regular tutorials and at least one visit to the Farmington Institute. Scholars are required to attend the Scholars' Conference before their Scholarship and the Conference after their Scholarship. Scholars who are still actively involved with RE will be invited to all subsequent conferences.

Applications For more information please follow the link to: http://www.farmington.ac.uk/scholarships_and_awards/scholarships.html . The closing date for 2017-18 applicants has not yet been announced, but is usually in January, with interviews around April and a chance to attend the conference where the previous year’s scholars present their reports. The 2017 Conference will take place from 23 - 25 June 2017.

As with other national training programmes, if you are interested please email: [email protected] The Oxford Diocesan may be able to offer you support and opportunities to share your knowledge and your learning with colleagues across the Diocese, and put you in touch with others who may be participating in the same training.

Where to look for RE Support part 1

The Diocesan website, is a good place to make your first port of call for RE matters.

On the RE pages you will find links to the latest reports, the training programme for the Diocese, the Diocesan Scheme of Work and other helpful resources and links. There are sample RE policies for schools and support for RE subject leaders, as well as news from the Education Office of the Church of England. Please click on the link which will take you to the RE resources page: http://www.oxford.anglican.org/schools/religious-education- new/

The Diocese also provides support in person for staff training, curriculum development, RE reviews, lesson observations and more. Contact Anne Andrews on 07884 655097 or [email protected]

Membership of NATRE allows you to access the resources on their website and brings you a termly copy of RE Today and the curriculum book for the term. These termly resources deal with current issues and provide high quality teaching resources and ideas. NATRE is one of the bodies that is working nationally to promote RE and also offers training across the country as well as advertising national RE initiatives. The NATRE website also provides links to many other useful RE organisations such as the Religious Education Council, RE Online and Culham St Gabriel’s.

http://www.natre.org.uk/membership/membership/

This website is another source of all things connected to RE; there is a search engine covering all the major faiths and a wealth of background information. There are blogs from national names in RE, support for subject leaders and comments on the latest ideas. If you haven’t come across the “email a believer “section, you need to have a closer look. Classes love to have their emails answered by real live adherents to a range of faiths.

http://www.reonline.org.uk/

Where to look for RE Support part 2

For a wider view of the RE world the Religious Education Council website is a very useful place. There you will find information about the latest reports and the work of the Commission on Religious Education as well as information about REQM—the RE quality Mark, the young ambassador’s scheme for secondary school pupils. There are documents that exemplify the Teachers’ Standards for RE and other self-evaluation tools for teachers and schools. There is also a monthly newsletter which is available electronically. You can sign up for it so that you never miss a copy. http://religiouseducationcouncil.org.uk/

For a one stop shop for brief information about all the religious festivals, the website of the Shap Working Party is invaluable. It offers an online, month by month list of the festivals from Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Humanism, Islam, Jainism, Judaism, Paganism and Sikhism among others. There is an indication of the diversity of practice within faiths and different denominations are recognised in many of the faiths. Secular events are included sometimes as well. There is usually a brief description of the festival and often links and suggestions as to where to find out more. http://www.shapworkingparty.org.uk/

New Resources for Primary Schools

BETHLEHEM BOUND

A day of workshops or a Christmas production by your pupils During the workshops young people will explore the anticipation of the first Christmas through the eyes of the wise men and the angels - using dance, drama and discussion. Pupils will EXPLORE the poem ‘Journey of the Magi’ by T.S. Eliot. THINK and DISCUSS ideas about the journey of the wise men and the journey we make each year in preparation for Christmas Day. Learn DANCE steps relating to the story. Use their IMAGINATIONS. CREATE their own dance movements with expert guidance. Springs Dance Company specialises in R.E. and delivers workshops to develop spirituality, imagination, thinking and creativity. www.springsdancecompany.org.uk

Puddles Lends a Paw Emma Tapper Business Administrator Books at Press Telephone: 01594 516490 Email: [email protected]

People Who Help Us Topic Pack is the third in the series of RE-Think Topics, by Gill Vaisey of Books at Press. The complete resource provides the tools to deliver, easy, meaningful and topic based RE. This builds on the previous Minibeasts Topic Pack and the New Life Topic Pack which so many of you have recently enjoyed using with your pupils. Each pack contains: · Puddles Lends A Paw big book · Puddles Lends A Paw standard book · Puddles the soft toy cat · People Who Help Us 1 DVD · People Who Help Us 2 DVD Perfect for EYFS, with topic webs and lots of activity ideas.

Christchurch Cathedral

For information for Primary schools, follow these links to the Cathedral Website:

KS1: http://www.chch.ox.ac.uk/education-and-visiting/key-stage-1

KS2: http://www.chch.ox.ac.uk/education-and-visiting/key-stage-2

Resources for Secondary Schools

Judaism GCSE Religious Studies – The Definitive Resource Written by Clive Lawton and supported by the Board of Deputies of British Jews, this is a new educational resource – a guide for those teaching Judaism in GCSE Religious Studies.

Entitled, ‘Judaism GCSE Religious Studies – The Definitive Resource’, it provides an unbiased description of the diversity within the Jewish community, and highlights the issues that are of most importance. The 140-page resource is designed to be easy to use and provides information for both students and teachers. Each topic is headed by a list of key facts, which is followed by fuller explanatory material. Vocabulary for the key facts has been carefully regulated to ensure it is easily accessible to GCSE pupils.

It is available to download and buy at a price of £9.99 (online) and £14.99 (hard copy).http://www.bod.org.uk/judaism-gcse-religious-studies-the-definitive-resource-order-your-copy- here/order-form-for-judaism-gcse-resource/ Teaching Islam at GCSE or above?

RE Online has a really good section on subject knowledge written by three theologically trained Muslim scholars. Although the titles of the sections owe more to the QCA units in terms of themes, the basic information about Islam remains the same and this provides a very good starting place for those wishing to improve their knowledge of Islam. If it leaves questions unanswered, you can always email a believer on the same website. http://www.reonline.org.uk/knowing/what-re/islam/ REC—Young Ambassador’s Scheme

The RE Council run the young ambassadors scheme which gives students aged 11-18 opportunities to: · share their enthusiasm and interest for RE and gain leadership experience · give their perspective to adults who work to support RE at the highest levels, such as the RE Council and MPs in parliament · develop skills in communicating successfully to a wide range of audiences · build up relevant experience for college, UCAS or job applications · meet and debate with other young people about why RE matters If you would like to participate in this scheme more information is available on the REC website: http://religiouseducationcouncil.org.uk/young-ambassadors/what-is-the-young-ambassadors-for-re-scheme

Christchurch Cathedral

For information for secondary schools, follow these links:

KS3-4: http://www.chch.ox.ac.uk/education-and-visiting/key-stage-3-4

KS5: http://www.chch.ox.ac.uk/education-and-visiting/key-stage-5

An After Thought So, what’s the purpose of RE?

Is this a discussion that you have ever had in your staffroom? Do you know why you are teaching RE? Debate these suggestions and rank them as a diamond 9.

To enable children/ To enable children/ To pass on the truth young people to hold an young people to and traditions of a informed explore the meaning particular faith or conversation about of their existence belief system religion and belief and their purpose in life

To promote spiritual, To prevent To help children/ moral, social and extremism and young people work cultural development radicalisation out how to live a good life

To be equipped with To inspire life long To enable children/ knowledge and engagement with young people to understanding of a and/or study of flourish as citizens in range of religions religions and beliefs a pluralistic and and worldviews global community

How religiously literate are you?

Another activity you could try would focus on some religious vocabulary. Can you define and use the following:

Atheism Monotheism Polytheism Agnostic Pluralism Fundamentalism Secularism

Or try some specific Christian Vocabulary

Omnipotent Trinity Confession Absolution

Be careful—some of the words may be used in more than one sense. What about your pupils? Do they know any of these words? Which ones do you think they need to know? 12

Thank you so much for reading RE News Autumn edition and I hope you enjoyed it and found it a useful tool.

Any comments or suggestions for inclusion in future editions; any other questions or queries on RE, please email [email protected]

Anne Andrews (RE Adviser)

Oxford Diocesan Board of Education Church House Oxford Langford Locks Kidlington OX5 1GF 01865 208238