Description
Book SynopsisAlthough Religious Education (RE) is a legal requirement in UK schools, it is an oft-neglected and misunderstood subject. It is important to seriously re-think this key subject at this time of low religious literacy and rising extremism, to protect communities from the consequences of hatred and misunderstanding. This book promotes a public discussion of what exactly is needed from a new model of RE within our education system to benefit wider society.
In this edited collection, the chapters are diverse and future-facing, informed by theory and practice and written by a variety of key leading practitioners and emerging national leaders in RE. It covers the most pressing and urgent issues for RE such as hate speech, educational reform, and the weakening of moderate religious institutions. Linking the chapters together with recurring themes and joining passages, the editors create a flowing and coherent discussion about the state of RE and offer choices and routes for readers to consider in terms of its future course.
Trade ReviewThis diverse and accessible series of reflections provides an excellent route map navigating the complex terrain that is contemporary RE. It offers a range of radical solutions guaranteed to prompt debate about the future of the 'RE space' in a post-religious, post-secular contemporary world. -- Alan Brine, Former HMI and Ofsted National Adviser for Religious Education
This book, in the words of two of its authors, does the same as effective RE in classrooms. It offers 'demanding material... a framework for talk, thought, misconceptions and deep engagement' and a discussion of 'unsafe topics'. It is timely and informed and everyone who cares about RE should read it. -- Dr Joyce Miller Associate Fellow, WRERU
This timely book assembles huge amounts of wisdom and experience. It is a valuable addition to a growing literature on the place of RE in our schools. I strongly endorse the message captured in the Postscript : be absolutely clear about the purpose of RE and teach it well. The rest will follow from this. -- Grace Davie, Professor emeritus, University of Exeter
Teachers of RE - and, indeed, the general reader - will appreciate the honesty and clarity of We Need To Talk About Religious Education. There is a refreshing newness among the contributors to this important volume, most of whom either continue to teach RE, or have done so in the fairly recent past. -- Dennis Richards * Church Times *
This wide-ranging and very readable set of contributions is highly recommended to all involved with or interested in the subject of religion education or religious education in schools, and its future. As well as making an excellent introduction to relevant issues for those preparing to teach religious education or to develop policy, it will be of interest to many working with issues of religious/religion education in a variety of national settings. -- Robert Jackson * American International Journal, Reliigon and Education *
Table of ContentsContributor bios; Foreword - Linda Woodhead MBE, University of Lancaster; Introduction - Mike Castelli, Association of University Lecturers in RE and Mark Chater, Culham St Gabriel's Trust, Oxford; PART I. Context; 1. Time to Abandon RE: Ditching an Out-of-date Solution to an Out-of-date Problem - Clive Lawton, Former Chair of the Shap Working Party of World Religions in Education; 2. A European Perspective: How Educational Reforms Influence the Place and Image of RE - Peter Schreiner, Comenius-Institut, Germany; 3. Why We Need Legislative Change, and How We Can Get It - Mark Chater; 4. RE and the Knowledge Problem - Richard Kueh, Farmington Institute, Harris Manchester College, Oxford; 5. The Future of Catholic RE - Andrew Lewis, St Bonaventure's School, London; 6. RE-dressing the Balance - Gillian Georgiou, Diocesan Education Team, Lincoln and Kathryn Wright, Culham St Gabriel's, Oxford; 7. Towards a Core Integrity for RE - Sushma Sahajpal, Connectar Creative Education, Buckinghamshire; Part II. Futures; 8. Making the Case for More Demanding RE - Mary Myatt, education advisor, Wales; 9. Principles and Procedures for Classroom Dialogue - Mike Castelli; 10. Facing the Strange - Phil Champain, Three Faiths Forum, London; 11. RE as a Safe space for Discussing Unsafe Ideas - Neil McKain, Pipers Corner School, High Wycombe; 12. The Role of Religious Education in Addressing Extremism - Adam Whitlock, Ark Burlington Danes Academy, London; 13. Faith Communities as Stakeholders in RE: A Commitment to Generous Hospitality - Derek Holloway, The Church of England Education Office, London; 14. Does Research Matter in the Religious Education Classroom? - Dawn Cox, Manning Tree High School, Essex; 15. The 'Digital Turn': What does RE Teachers' Online Engagement Mean for RE CPD? - James Robson, Culham St Gabriel's Trust and Oxford University Department of Education; Index
