Many students find it hard to engage with religious studies, because they are unable to relate to the content – humanism is an answer to this, says Maxine Beech - h/t Allan Hayes.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationopinion/11238166/Teach-humanism-in-religious-studies.html
Thursday, December 11, 2014
Monday, December 1, 2014
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
REC reaffirms commitment to non-religious worldview teaching
In our most recent curriculum document, Religious education: a national curriculum framework, we made clear our policy that religious education in schools and colleges should include the study of non-religious worldviews alongside religious traditions.
Dr Joyce Miller, Chair of the REC, said ‘The REC Board has agreed unanimously that the optional systematic study of a non-religious worldview should be introduced at GCSE level. We want to promote a rigorous and inclusive study of religions and beliefs that is relevant and challenging for young people of all faiths and none.’
source: http://religiouseducationcouncil.org.uk/educators/news/2014-11-07/religious-education-council-statement-on-exam-reform-consultation (accessed 18th November 2014)
Dr Joyce Miller, Chair of the REC, said ‘The REC Board has agreed unanimously that the optional systematic study of a non-religious worldview should be introduced at GCSE level. We want to promote a rigorous and inclusive study of religions and beliefs that is relevant and challenging for young people of all faiths and none.’
source: http://religiouseducationcouncil.org.uk/educators/news/2014-11-07/religious-education-council-statement-on-exam-reform-consultation (accessed 18th November 2014)
Friday, April 18, 2014
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 www.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:
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.
--
Sara Passmore
Head of Education, British Humanist Association
39 Moreland Street, London, EC1V 8BB | 020 7324 3070 | 07795 412765
www.humanism.org.uk | facebook.com/humanism | twitter.com/BHAhumanists | humanismforschools.org.uk
The BHA is a registered charity in England and Wales (no. 285987) and depends on donations and legacies from its members and supporters to carry out its work. You can join or donate or register for our free e-bulletin online.
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 www.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.
--
Sara Passmore
Head of Education, British Humanist Association
39 Moreland Street, London, EC1V 8BB | 020 7324 3070 | 07795 412765
www.humanism.org.uk | facebook.com/humanism | twitter.com/BHAhumanists | humanismforschools.org.uk
The BHA is a registered charity in England and Wales (no. 285987) and depends on donations and legacies from its members and supporters to carry out its work. You can join or donate or register for our free e-bulletin online.
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
BHA provides evidence to APPG on contribution of RE to good community relations
reference: https://humanism.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/APPG-on-RE-inquiry-into-the-contribution-of-religious-education-to-good-community-relations-comments-from-British-Humanist-Association.pdf
Pavan Dhaliwal at BHA says:-
Pavan Dhaliwal at BHA says:-
"Our main topic is the need to include non-religious beliefs in RE, and why it is harmful for RE and its contribution to cohesion for this to not occur."
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Towards a theory of moral education: Michael Hand delivers the 2014 Blackham Lecture
March 12th, 2014
It should be possible for schools to teach a form of moral education that imparts universally agreed and logical beliefs onto younger generations, and in fact, ‘all teachers are moral educators; all have a responsibility to respond to pupils when they raise moral issues.’ This was the central thesis of the 2014 Blackham Lecture given by Michael Hand, Professor of Philosophy of Education and Director of Postgraduate Research in the School of Education at the University of Birmingham.
The Blackham Lecture, organised by Birmingham Humanists with support of the British Humanist Association, is named in honour of Harold Blackham, philosopher, educator and founder of the BHA. Blackham also chaired the Social Morality Council, advocating a sort of moral education similar to that which Hand proposed in his lecture.
Hand started the lecture by pointing to the contradiction between the essentialness of moral beliefs (implying they should be imparted by schools) and their usually controversial nature (implying they should be avoided and left to parents). Blackham himself advocated teaching about different religions or beliefs but also inculcating social moral values that are universal.
Hand defined ‘moral standards’ as those that individuals not only hold as standards but also that we would wish everyone to hold to, and would wish to penalise those who do not do so. Some moral standards are plainly controversial, for example those related to theology, and therefore moral educators in schools should not endorse them due to this contentious nature. However, a subset of moral standards is universal in society and justifiable, and therefore should be taught as such – for example, cooperation-sustaining and conflict-averting standards of conduct.
Equally, teachers should object to unjustifiable moral standards such as homophobia. But they should leave open to exploration rationally disputed ideas; that is to say, not seek to inculcate those ideas but simply to educate pupils about them. In practice this reflects what high quality Religious Education looks like today.
Notes
- For further comment or information contact Sara Passmore, Head of Education, by email atsara@humanism.org.uk or by telephone on 07795412765.
- Read a conference paper by Hand on the same subject: http://www.jubileecentre.ac.uk/userfiles/jubileecentre/pdf/conference-papers/HandM-TheCognitiveAspectofMoralEducation.pdf
- Read a Storify of the event: http://storify.com/BHAhumanists/blackham-lecture-2014-towards-a-theory-of-moral-ed
- Read more about Harold Blackham: https://humanism.org.uk/2009/01/27/news-209/
- Get ideas for including Humanism in lessons in schools at our www.HumanismforSchools.org.uk website.
- The Blackham Lecture sits alongside the BHA’s annual lecture programme, which also includes the Darwin Day, Voltaire, Holyoake, Shelley and Bentham lectures.
- 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.
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