Religious education newsletter - May 2025

Over recent weeks, much has been written about the remarkable life of the late Pope Francis. RE teachers will have their own views about which of his ideas are most significant for the classroom. He was an outspoken advocate for the rights of the poor and marginalised in society and he declared that destroying the environment is a sin, warning that humanity was turning the glorious creation of God into a polluted wasteland.

My favourite story features a little girl with Downs Syndrome who wandered forward during a service he was leading. Security quickly approached to bring the child back to her mother, but Francis stopped them and asked the little girl to come sit by him. So, she climbed up next to him and held his hand while he continued his homily.

One of the reasons Pope Francis’s popularity extended from Catholics to other Christians (and beyond) is that he seemed to ‘live out’ the Gospel in his own life. 

In Matt 19:14 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” and in Luke 5:30 the Pharisees criticise Jesus for enjoying the company of ‘sinners’.

Primary teachers: please complete this short survey to tell us about RE in your school.

LTLRE hub (twilight) meetings are free and open to all teachers of RE, primary and secondary. See LTLRE website for full details.

Cornwall hub: Thurs 12 June

North Devon hub: Mon 16 June

SWIFT professional community: Tues 24 June

South Devon and Torbay hub: Thurs 26 June

Embracing diversity and Inclusion through a religion and worldviews approach to RE

St Mellion, nr Plymouth

Revd Anjali Kanagaratnam: Understanding the Rich Diversity of the Global Christian Community

Fri 17 October, Cost: £80, Book here.

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RE CPD

Primary CPD: Ed Pawson is leading high-quality teaching and learning in primary RE on Tues 10 (Ivybridge) or Fri 13 (Exeter) June

Secondary CPD: Ed Pawson is leading high-quality teaching and learning in secondary RE on Mon 16 (Exeter) or Wed 18 (Ivybridge) June

RE Today: Lat Blaylock is leading a training day for secondary RE teachers at Exeter School on Mon 23 June.

RE Hubs

Visit the RE Hubs website for all your RE needs: accredited School Speakers, Places of Worship, Advertise RE Jobs, Resources, Calendar of CPD Events, Local Groups.

Access local Religion and Worldviews visitors for RE.

Visiting Exeter Mosque

If you want to enquire about booking a visit to Exeter Mosque, you can use this email: enquiries@exetermosque.org.uk

We are the church

This short film explains that, rather than a building, a better understanding of the word Church is a community of people who meet to worship, learn and encourage one another.

RE advisers’ conference 2025

Teachers are invited to attend the AREIAC (RE advisers) and AULRE (RE lecturers) conference at Exeter University on 26/27 June. Booking information here.

All teachers are welcome to attend the free Robin Shepherd lecture on Thursday late afternoon, given by Anna Strhan (more details to follow).

Understanding Muslims, Understanding Islam

This is an extensive new resource exploring lived Islam, using the voices of contemporary Muslims to open up what it means to be Muslim in Britain and beyond. The religion and worldviews approach applies different disciplinary tools, drawing on authentic sources from within Islamic tradition.

Audio book of religious terms

The Shap audio book is a comprehensive directory of religious terms. It includes a link to hear the accepted pronunciation for words you may encounter in RE.

The Bible in a Nutshell

The Bible in a Nutshell - High Bickington, North Devon EX37 9PN on Thurs 10 July.

This free course will take you from Genesis through the Old Testament.

Pilgrimage on the BBC

In this new series, seven celebrities of differing faiths and beliefs immerse themselves in a journey following the Austrian Camino, a revived medieval Catholic route. The programme includes some powerful and personal religious testimonies from Christian, Muslim and Baha’i voices.

Sikh supporters club

Manchester United is delighted to welcome the Stretford Sikhs to its growing family of 329 official supporters’ clubs across 90 countries.

I belong to Jesus

Liverpool player Cody Gakpo reveals ‘I belong to Jesus, message.

In conversation with Ofsted

One year on from the publication of ‘Deep and Meaningful’, what is Ofsted doing and what do we need to know? Join Hazel Henson for a free ‘in conversation’ with Fiona Moss.

Tuesday 13 May - 5-6pm

Hazel Henson HMI has responsibility for RE at Ofsted. Register here

Spirited Arts: do it!

From a recent post on an RE Facebook page:

I ran a Spirited Arts day with Year 11 for the first time and before I started, I was sceptical whether it would work … But the engagement, enthusiasm and the detailed and thoughtful work absolutely blew me away! If you are on the fence about trying it in your school, don’t be ... Thanks to Lat Blaylock and NATRE.

A Level RS teachers’ meeting

Free CPD. Join Karen Steele for a meeting with A level RS teachers 6-7pm on Thurs 8 May: revision tips and making links with Universities. Email.

A level RS webinars

Join the Chester University Theology and Religious Studies Webinars for A-Level students for Season 6.

Oracy in RE

Speak Up: Empowering Pupils to Find and Use Their Voice in RE. A practical and thought-provoking blog from Kelly Keatley with strategies to use with children from 7 upwards.

Philosophy for KS2 on the BBC

Stephen Fry narrates this illustrated series where a community of animals living in a fictional savannah navigate some tricky philosophical questions.

Questions about Judaism

RE teachers with questions about Judaism: a chance to ask anything you like. Open to primary and secondary teachers. Zoom passcode: 260906

Tues 13 May - 3.45-4.45pm