What Should We Teach Our Children? Reforming RE a conversation with Mark Chater

Religious education in England has come a long way, but has much further to go. Bristol Humanists member Matt Evans will explore this with the leading RE expert Prof Mark Chater. 

The discussion will include -

          How did RE get to be organised in the way it is today?

         What are teachers obliged to teach under the current system?

         What is taught in faith schools, versus other schools?

         Why is the law governing this so old?

         Which reforms have succeeded and which have failed?

         What should we call this subject? “Worldviews”? “Philosophy and ethics”?

         Have the humanist community and Humanists UK proven helpful – or unhelpful - in reforming RE?

         What part does “critical thinking” play within RE?

There will be a question & answer discussion with Mark questions in the second half of the session.

Dr Mark Chater has four decades of experience as a teacher, researcher and consultant on worldviews in education, and is the lead author of the 2020 book “Reforming Religious Education”. He is now Professor of Practice in Worldviews Education at the University of Cumbria. He was for seven years director of Culham St Gabriel’s Trust, and has a PhD in theology and education from the Universities of Edinburgh.

Matt Evans is a Bristol Humanists member, former committee member, and a Humanists UK school speaker. He recently became Chair of the Bristol Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE).

This is an online only event. See below for the link

Want to come? - find Zoom link on MeetUp - and to RSVP see: https://www.meetup.com/Bristol-Humanists/events/295154890

Our meetings are open to anyone and everyone. They are FREE to members; we ask others to make a modest contribution.