Religious Education teachers invited to a free day conference on including non-religious perspectives

The British Humanist Association (BHA) is presenting a free day conference for teachers on exploring Humanism and non-religious perspectives within Religious Education (RE) lessons.

The professional conference is designed to increase the confidence of RE teachers, head teachers, Local Authority advisors and subject specialists in planning and delivering RE lessons which include humanist perspectives.

Confirmed speakers for the event include Dr Mark Charter of Culham St. Gabriel’s Trust speaking on the national picture of RE, Beth Stillings Cohen and Saara Quested from 3FF (Three Faiths Forum) speaking about the ways to weave humanist perspectives into a rich and diverse RE curriculum, and Local Authority RE Advisor Nora Leonard speaking on local support for teachers and the development of agreed syllabuses.

Head of Education and Promotion at the BHA, Sara Passmore, said, ‘We are seeing an increasing demand for high-quality resources and professional support from RE teachers who want to ensure that RE is broad and balanced, and reflects the range of beliefs in our society. Many teachers recognise the importance of teaching Humanism alongside religions within RE, but need training and support to confidently include Humanism in lessons.

‘This conference is a first for the BHA, and is our way of supporting teachers. A growing majority of young people in Britain today are non-religious, and it’s important that they are able to explore their own beliefs and develop a moral and ethical framework which will adequately prepare them for adult life. Teachers who come to the conference will be able to hear directly about practical ideas and classroom activities which can improve pupils’ learning in RE, and how to deliver fully inclusive Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural development (SMSC) for all young people.’

The conference will take place on Wednesday 16 July, from 10am to 4pm, at Conway Hall in central London. The event is supported by the Conway Hall Ethical Society. Registration is free at www.humanism.org.uk/REconference – book now to reserve your place.

Notes

For further comment, detail or information, contact Sara Passmore by email at sara@humanism.org.uk . Guests are encouraged to visit www.humanism.org.uk/REconference and register early to reserve their place at the conference.

Statistics on religion and belief and young people

The 2011 Census found 31% of 0-19 year olds having no religion, with a further 8% not stated; the 2010 British Social Attitudes Survey records 65% of 18-24 year olds as not belonging to any religion; a 2004 Department for Education report found 65% of 12-19 year olds are not religious; and the 2003 Citizenship Survey found 46% of 11-15 year olds not having a religion (44% were Christian).

About the British Humanist Association

The British Humanist Association is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people who seek to live ethical and fulfilling lives on the basis of reason and humanity. It promotes a secular state and equal treatment in law and policy of everyone, regardless of religion or belief.
About our work in education

The British Humanist Association aims to ensure that Humanism is understood as an ethical and fulfilling non-religious approach to life involving a naturalistic view of the universe. Humanism has been included in Religious Education for over 50 years. We provide teachers with guidance and resources to help with planning lessons on Humanism at our dedicated website at humanismforschools.org.uk.

About Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural development (SMSC)

The Department for Education’s statutory guidance National curriculum in England: framework for key stages 1 to 4 states that: Every state-funded school must offer a curriculum which is balanced and broadly based* and which:

– promotes the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils at the school and of society

– prepares pupils at the school for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life

However, ‘spiritual’ is a problematic word for non-religious people. ‘Spiritual’ development became established in the Education Reform Act 1988 as one of the essential components of the curriculum, and was further established in the Education Act of 1992 as part of ‘spiritual, moral, social and cultural development’ (SMSC). The 1994 OFSTED Handbook stated that ‘spiritual’ was not synonymous with ‘religious,’ and this was further confirmed in OFSTED guidance in 2004.
About 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, out-spoken supporter of free thought and biographer of Thomas Paine.