Inspired by….Tutoring others

What possesses a madly busy Head of RE and SLE to take on extra work tutoring for Culham St Gabriel’s ‘Teach:RE’ course? Excellent question, especially in these Covid times.

The ‘passionate advocate of the value and relevance of RE’ reason. RE, done well, is essential if young people are to understand the world around them and interact positively with it. Most teachers come into the profession wanting to improve a young person’s life chances and yet many come with their own preconceptions of RE and fail to see how RE connects to this goal. Working alongside a HTLA or non-specialist teacher, primary or secondary,  as they encounter the aims of the subject over time and develop their own vision of RE and seek to implement it through planning and curriculum design.

The practical reason – secondary non-specialists find themselves teaching RE whilst a NATRE report revealed how minimal subject specific training can be as part of a primary ITT programme. Pressures on school budgets mean less SLE working 1-1 with a teacher and fewer training courses. Tutoring for, and recommending ‘Teach:RE,’ is one way I can help to upskill and boost confidence. Many schools will pay for modules to be completed although it has to be done in a teacher’s own time (unless they can secure extra gained time – nothing ventured, nothing gained if you don’t ask!).

Assorted selfish reasons – As an experienced teacher and trainer I am often running RE specific CPD and school-led CPD is often generic. Where do I go for my development needs? An in-depth study exploring aspects of Buddhism on death rituals

The ‘What’s going on in the wider RE world’ reason – focussing on the ‘bigger picture’ is inspiring and helps keep a broader perspective. ‘Teach:RE’ has allowed me inside schools and academies across the country, with different Locally Agreed Syllabi, giving me ideas to take back to my own school. As a teacher representative on my local SACRE it is crucial to know what is going on in schools and what teachers need – this course allows me to do so.

The ‘paying it forward’ reason – it comes as a shock to realise I am now nearer retirement than my NQT year! I have been very blessed to work with, and benefit from, many ‘movers and shakers’ within the RE world who have helped me to grow and develop my practice so how do I show my gratitude? ‘Paying it forward’ to the next generation by sharing my wisdom and experience.

To answer my own question – of course I will carry on as a tutor. If you also subscribe to the view that you are always learning and developing as a teacher think about becoming a tutor or taking a module as a stimulus to developing your own practice.