The pitfall of happy answers Enquiry-based RE: The pitfall of happy answers

RE Topic titles Places of Worship Signs and Symbols

RE Topic titles Places of Worship Special Stories Leaders and teachers Celebrations Holy Books

RE Topic titles History topic titles Why did the Spanish armada fail? Places of Worship Special Stories King Arthur – fact of legend? Leaders and teachers What were the causes of the 1st World War? Celebrations Holy Books

Enquiry-based approach to history History topic titles Why did the Spanish armada fail? heroic lucky with the weather Key question which is pursued over several lessons noble King Arthur – fact of legend? honesty, frankness, honourable ask challenging questions chivalrous about views which one might favour What were the causes of the 1st World War? aggressive Germans rigorous examination of the evidence tensions in Europe provisional truths

RE Topic titles History topic titles Is it important for Muslims to have the Qur’an? Why did the Spanish armada fail? Holy Books Why do some people think Jesus is inspirational? King Arthur – fact of legend? Leaders and teachers What were the causes of the 1st World War? Why did Jesus tell stories? Special Stories

RE Topic titles Enquiry-based approach solid liquid gaseous Professor David Leat Is it important for Muslims to have the Qur’an? Prof. of Curriculum Innovation Newcastle University Enquiry-based approach Holy Books solid Why do some people think Jesus is inspirational? The enquiry answer is thought to be known. Little or no room for an alternative view. Closed enquiry. liquid The enquiry answer is thought to be more open. Some room is permitted for an alternative view. Leaders and teachers Why did Jesus tell stories? gaseous The enquiry answer is very open. Lot of room for alternative views. Answers tend to be provisional. Special Stories

RE Topic titles Happy Answers Is it important for Muslims to have the Qur’an? Yes because the Qur’an is their special book Holy Books a good teacher Why do some people think Jesus is inspirational? perform miracles I am the light of the world I am the bread of life Leaders and teachers Why did Jesus tell stories? easy to remember easy to understand a good teacher Special Stories

RE Topic titles Challenging enquiry Is it important for Muslims to have the Qur’an? Holy Books – revelation or inspiration? Holy Books Why do some people think Jesus is inspirational? Was Jesus God on earth? Leaders and teachers Why did Jesus tell stories? Jesus’ lost stories – what do they mean? Special Stories

What should children learn in RE lessons? 3 Dec 2012 What should children learn in RE lessons? It is important for young people, ‘to get a different perspective on the big issues of life – issues such as where we come from, what happens to us after we die, why poverty and war exist in our world, and so on.’ Joanna Moorhead ‘It's about getting pupils to engage with the big questions of life.’ Rosemary Rivett National Association of Teachers of RE ‘I don't think it should be about filling children with facts and figures – it should give them a chance to engage with the big questions of life, such as 'how did the world begin, and what happens after we die'?’ Andrew Copson British Humanist Association Community cohesion Leslie Prior Senior lecturer in religious education at the University of Roehampton

Big Questions How are we to live? What happens to us after we die? Is there a God? Where have we come from? Have we been created for a purpose? Why is there so much suffering?

RE provides… ‘something absolutely fundamental to the education of young people. The creation of a space for serious critical exploration of the meanings and values by which we live. To live good lives, individually and collectively, we need to be able to make sense of the world and of ourselves. Prof. James Conroy University of Glasgow And religious education, still for all its failings, is the only site that systemically and systematically tries to give a place in the curriculum for that.’