Church of England commissions training resource for teaching core Christian beliefs in schools

The Church of England has introduced a new training resource to help schools in teaching core Christian beliefs. This came after concerns were raised that classes do not always touch the heart of the Christian faith.

"RE is primarily about teaching religious literacy," Rev. Nigel Genders, Chief Education Officer for The Church of England, said in a statement. "The ability for young people to have informed conversation and dialogue about belief and faith is key to building a peaceful society and helps combat ignorance and extremism. We recognise that within the rich Christian heritage of Britain, a particular responsibility of the Church of England is to ensure Christianity is well taught in our schools. This large-scale resource promotes  theological literacy and a deep understanding of the whole Christian narrative for children and young people."

Called "Understanding Christianity," the training resource was developed through the joint effort of RE advisers from RE Today Services and more than 30 academics and expert teachers. The project's editor and RE Today Adviser Stephen Pett said that it has a wide range of materials and ideas that teachers can apply in any religious education class in order to help students gain a better understanding of Christianity and its beliefs and practices.

"We're living in an age of increasingly discussion and interest in religion - which is often quite negative - and it's important that all adults are able to hold an informed conversation about religion," said project leader Derek Holloway, according to Premier. "They can only do that if they have got a good understanding of what those religons teach."

According to the Church of England website, the project includes up to 15 hours of professional development support. It is composed of a teacher's handbook, the "Big Frieze" illustration and guide book, and 29 units of work from Foundation Stage 2 to Year 9. Teachers will be trained by accredited trainers so they can use the material in their own setting. 

By exploring core theological concepts, the resource aims to help students aged 4 to 14 years learn and understand Christianity "as a living world faith," and enable them to develop skills to be able to make sense of Biblical texts as well as understand the impact of these text in a Christian's life. It also aims to "develop pupils' abilities to connect, critically reflect upon, evaluate and apply their learning to their own growing understanding of Christianity, of religion and belief more widely, of themselves, the world and human experience." According to Premier, it explores practices and festivals as well as topics like the creation, the fall of man, incarnation, the Gospel, and salvation. 

A trial was done in more than 50 schools, including four in Exeter diocese.

"As an RE (religious education) specialist, I am convinced that this resource will have a significant impact on the quality of RE taught in church and community schools," said Tatiana Wilson, the Exeter Diocesan Education Officer.

The project was commissioned by the Church of England Education Office and is supported by The Sir Halley Stewart Trust, the Jerusalem Trust, Culham St Gabriels, and an anonymous donor. Thus far, many schools have signed up to receive it, including more than 100 in the St. Albans diocese alone.

"There is a great excitement when people see the resource and the potential that it has to enhance, improve and make more creative the lessons which teachers are delivering around Christianity," Holloway said.