• Dharma in Manchester

    Dharma in Manchester

    We were welcomed at the Jain Samaj Manchester by Suresh Mehta, the Chair of Trustees at the temple. They are just building a large new annexe which has cost £1M. The centre was opened 18 years ago by Gerald Kaufman MP Suresh showed us a picture of the huge temple complex at Palitana.  Jains have…

  • Juma Prayers at Quwwat Ul Islam Mosque

    Juma Prayers at Quwwat Ul Islam Mosque

    The PGCE cohort visited the Quwwat Ul Islam Mosque in Preston as part of their subject knowledge development.  In addition to touring the mosque and observing Friday prayers, the group also had a fantastic opportunity to speak to some Yr10 pupils from Preston Muslim Girls High School about their experiences of Islam and what their faith means…

  • Merseyside Buddhism

    Merseyside Buddhism

    Year 2 QTS undergraduates spent a day looking at two forms of Buddhism in Merseyside. Our first visit was to the Triratna Buddhist Centre in Liverpool. Sumnadipa and Janet welcomed us and  offered us a drink. Sumnadipa explained her name meant graciousness and lamp, and she was given it when she was ordained. She reminded…

  • Fieldwork in Religion: Going Out and Finding Out

    Fieldwork in Religion: Going Out and Finding Out

    This last week has been very busy for our undergraduate students, who have benefitted from meeting and engaging with local faith communities. Year 2 Ethnography students are currently engaged in their own fieldwork projects, exploring a range of topics including witchcraft, perspectives on the after life in a care home, life in a convent, challenges…

  • Visit to Tübingen

    This summer I spent around ten days as a visiting lecturer at Centre for Islamic Theology the University of Tübingen, located on the edge of the beautiful and mysterious Black Forest in the German state of Baden-Württemberg. The University of Tübingen, now also known as Eberhard Karls University, was founded in 1477, and has a long-standing…

  • SKE 2018: Princes Road Synagogue & Liverpool Anglican Cathedral

    The group took a trip to Liverpool as part of their ongoing subject knowledge development course to look at the differences between the Jewish and Christian places of worship. First stop was the very grand and ornate OrthodoxJewish Synagogue. Trainees were able to hear about the history of the Jewish community in Liverpool, the features…

  • RE SKE 2018: Preston Gujurat Hindu Temple & Vajravarahi Kadampa Meditation Centre

    On Thursday we ventured up the M6 to visit the Gujurat Hindu Temple and Preston Buddhist centre as part of developing our subject knowledge about the Dharmic traditions. At the Gujurat Temple, we were able to learn about the importance of the temple in Hindu puja (worship) and the significance and stories of some of…

  • RE PGCE: Bradford Interfaith Visit 27.6.18

    As part of their pre-NQT enrichment week, RE PGCE trainees visited Bradford as part of an interfaith visit to a number of places of worship. The day began with a visit to the Gurdwara Singh Sabha where trainees were given a tour of the worship hall and able to see the rituals and practices associated…

  • RE PGCE: Liverpool Anglican Cathedral visit

    RE PGCE: Liverpool Anglican Cathedral visit

    On Friday 15th September the RE PGCE trainees visited Liverpool Anglican Cathedral to help develop their subject knowledge around Christianity and places of worship. We had a great tour from Helen, who told us about the history of the Cathedral and that without a ‘cathedra’ a Cathedral is just a big church! Trainees thoroughly enjoyed…

  • RE Subject Knowledge Enhancement 2017: Stenecourt Shul, Salford

    RE Subject Knowledge Enhancement 2017: Stenecourt Shul, Salford

    RE PGCE and UG students travelled to Salford to visit Stenecourt Shul with their tutors Sjay Patterson-Craven and David Arnold as part of the SKE course. The day gave students the opportunity to develop their understanding of Jewish belief, enjoy some challah, visit the shul, ask questions and ended with a very enjoyable Israeli-Kosher meal!