Humanist Education in England Luke Donnellan, Head of Education, BHA luke@humanism.org.uk, @HumanismEdu

How and where can we teach about Humanism? Primary school (4-11) Secondary school (11-18) Religious Education (RE) Spiritual, Moral, Social, and Cultural development (SMSC) Personal, Social, Heath Education (PSHE) Citizenship Philosophy for Children (P4C)

Support ‘The phrase ‘religions and worldviews’ is used in this document to refer to Christianity, other principal religions represented in Britain, smaller religious communities and non-religious worldviews such as Humanism. The phrase is meant to be inclusive, and its precise meaning depends on the context in which it occurs, eg in terms of belief, practice or identity.’ (Page 11) Religious Education council of England and Wales, National Curriculum Framework (2013) ‘Religious Education should move ‘towards a situation in which RE has to cover a wider range of religion and belief … including the study of humanism’ A New Settlement: religion and Belief in Schools, Charles Clarke and Linda Woodhead (page 39).   ‘The content of many syllabuses is inadequate... a great many fail to include non-religious worldviews, for example humanism, and do not deal with competing truth claims. They do not, that is to say, deal with the full spectrum of religion and belief issues.’ Living with Difference: The Rt Hon Baroness Butler-Sloss CBE (4.15)

Who decides what to teach in RE? SACREs (173) - locally agreed syllabuses Academies and free schools Faith schools Private schools The impact of examinations

What does the law say? High Court Judgment (November 2015) Education secretary made ‘error of law’ on new religious studies GCSE – high court Judge rules in favour of three families who argued Nicky Morgan failed to reflect the pluralistic nature of the UK in curriculum Guardian 25/11/15 High Court Judgment (November 2015) ‘the state has a duty to take care that information or knowledge included in the curriculum is conveyed in a pluralistic manner… the state must accord equal respect to different religious convictions, and to non-religious beliefs; it is not entitled to discriminate between religions and beliefs on a qualitative basis; its duties must be performed from a standpoint of neutrality and impartiality as regards the quality and validity of parents’ convictions.’ (Paragraph 39)

Understanding Humanism Teaching Resources Lesson plans Classroom activities Presentations Videos Humanist perspectives School Speakers Teacher Training / CPD understandinghumanism.org.uk Twitter: @HumanismEdu

Resources

Beliefs and evidence I believe… Henry VIII had six wives Plants need water to survive Ghosts exist Dinosaurs lived millions of years ago Sugar is bad for your teeth Aliens have visited Earth Penguins live in Antarctica The world will end tomorrow Because… My friend told me I saw it I really want it to be true I did an experiment to test it I read it in the newspaper A political leader said it I’ve read it in lots of books Most scientists believe it

Possible ingredients of happiness £

A recipe for happiness Ingredients: Good health Friends Being good to other people Curiosity   Method: First, add a heaped tablespoon of good health to a bowl (be careful not to damage it). Add a healthy mix of good friends (as many as you can manage but don’t spread them too thinly). Most importantly, stir in a large cup of kindness towards others. Before you bake, sprinkle a dusting of curiosity on top to add a little surprise to the finished flavour. Warning: Money can help sweeten the mixture, but be sure to avoid letting it overpower the other ingredients or your happiness can turn sour.

Understanding Humanism Teaching Resources Lesson plans Classroom activities Presentations Videos Humanist perspectives School Speakers Teacher Training / CPD understandinghumanism.org.uk Twitter: @HumanismEdu

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