Leading for Equity in RE: Building Connections and Challenging Misconceptions

From Walsall to Shropshire: A Shift in Context and Challenge

When I worked in Walsall, I was surrounded by a vibrant network: diverse classrooms, a dedicated team of four, and a wealth of voices and perspectives. Collaboration came naturally. But when I moved to rural Shropshire three years ago, I knew things would be different.
Leading as a Department of One: Building Equity from the Ground Up
Now, I’m a department of one in a small trust of one secondary and three primary schools. A quick glance at the census data reveals what I’ve come to see firsthand: our area lacks the diversity found in many other parts of Britain. Without intentional exposure and thoughtful curriculum planning, this can lead to misconceptions and even prejudice in the classroom.

Determined to stay connected and make a difference, I joined Shropshire SACRE, where I now serve as vice chair. I also founded the Local Groups Shropshire Gateway Hub, a space for educators to come together with humility and honesty; to share ideas, admit when we don’t know something, and support one another in our shared mission to provide equitable Religion and Worldviews education.
Curriculum as a Catalyst: Designing for Inclusion and Impact
As I reflected on how I could make the biggest impact as a leader, one answer stood out: curriculum.

By bringing together Religious Education (RE) leads from across the area, we’ve begun to critically examine our curricula; identifying gaps, challenging assumptions, and striving to build rigorous, inclusive programmes that help students grow into respectful, globally-minded citizens. I’m passionate about inspiring students to continue their RE journey into Key Stage 5 and beyond, and I believe that starts with excellent curriculum design.

Challenging Misconceptions: Why Context Matters in RE

One concern I raised at our hub’s first meeting was the persistence of misconceptions. During the Culham St Gabriel’s Leadership Scholarship programme, we read Justine Ball’s article “Decolonising the Teaching of Jesus in English Primary Schools.” It sparked a powerful conversation. A colleague shared how, during her first year at university, she called her mum and exclaimed, “Mum, why didn’t you ever tell me Jesus wasn’t white?”

This moment stuck with me. Too often, students arrive in Year 7 believing Jesus was a white European man. These misconceptions aren’t always due to poor subject knowledge, these misconceptions often stem from a lack of context. For example, understanding that Jesus was a Palestinian Jew is crucial. We need to create safe spaces where educators can ask questions, acknowledge gaps in their knowledge, and grow together.

Equity in Action: Conversations That Transform Practice

Equity of provision in RE is not optional, it’s essential. We must have open, honest conversations about curriculum and assessment to ensure we’re offering the very best to every pupil. One of the things I love most about the RE community is its openness. No question is too small, and there’s always someone willing to help.

Leadership in RE isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about creating a culture of support and humility. I recently saw this in action at Worcestershire SACRE, through the brilliant Stephen Pett and with Chris Giles as a teacher representative. The atmosphere was electric; everyone had a voice, and everyone was there to lift each other up.
This year, I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have Jane Yates as my mentor. Her knowledge is vast, but what stands out most is her humility. She’s never afraid to say, “I don’t know,” and always points me in the right direction. That’s the kind of leadership we need; leaders who empower others by admitting what they don’t know and helping them find the answers.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s how much I still have to learn. But I’m grateful to be part of a subject, and a community, where curiosity is celebrated and support is always within reach.

If you’d like to join our hub meetings, we welcome both online and in-person attendees. Keep an eye on the RE Hubs website for updates. We’ll soon be diving into the National Content Standard, using tools like the “Religion and Worldviews” infographic on page 21 of the curriculum writers’ handbook to guide our planning.

Let’s keep learning, leading, and lifting each other up.