• RE PGCE Judaism & Islam subject knowledge development 8.3.19

    RE PGCE Judaism & Islam subject knowledge development 8.3.19

    As part of their subject knowledge development, RE PG trainees partook in a subject knowledge development day, focusing on Islamic and Jewish teachings.  Before the sessions, they completed subject knowledge audits of both topics (using a GCSE specification) which enabled the sessions to target specifically those areas which they have identified as in need of…

  • 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…

  • A Hopeful school experience

    A Hopeful school experience

    Year 1 Undergraduates QTS students gained their first experience of school with a day at Hope Academy.  We were met in the foyer by Rachael Critchley (Head of RE), Catha Seddon (Assistant Head of RE) and Jayne Cantwell (A very experienced RE Curriculum Mentor) and given a tour of the school. We met the Head…

  • Back to the Sixth Form

    Back to the Sixth Form

    Final Year Undergraduate QTS students visited Carmel  College to discover how it is different to teach in a Sixth form college.  We were met by Sarah Daley, who is in charge of 10:10 RE, the general RE provision for all students, and a Glenn Skelhorn, who is in charge of the A Level Philosophy and…

  • GCSE Expertise

    GCSE Expertise

    Year 3 undergraduates visited Lowton CE High school to spend a day looking at teaching GCSE. Having battled through the traffic, we were met by Heather Clare, a very experienced RE teacher and Senior Teacher at the school. Our first task was to look at the Specification (From AQA) and decide what religions and themes…

  • 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…

  • A Level Experience

    A Level Experience

    Year 3 undergraduate RE with QTS students spent a day at Haslingden High school, looking at how to teach A Level RS in a school with a sixth form.  Ben Wood the Head of RE and the Chair of NATRE welcomed us and offered us pastries and coffee! We then were able to observe a…

  • RE ITT Conference @ Stretford High

    RE ITT Conference @ Stretford High

    For another year the RE PGCE trainees were able to attend the ITT conference at one of our outstanding partnership schools, Stretford High  in Manchester. Trainees were involved in a range of sessions such as developing their teaching persona (led by Faisal Ahmed, Professional Mentor and Head of Humanities/Social Sciences Faculty),  interview hints and tips…