A View on the World: Competition Winners

Our competition this year as part of the Religious Education Council of England and Wales 50th Anniversary Celebrations asked three questions… How have religious and non-religious worldviews changed over time where you live? How would you describe the mix of worldviews in your community today? What might it look like in 50 years time? So what did children and young people say? Increasing diversity in local areas It will probably come as no surprise that our entries all highlighted the ways in which their local areas had become more diverse in terms of religious expression over the last 50 years. Some children talked about the ways religious buildings had changed in their use e.g., from a church to a Jain temple, or how new ones had been built to support the needs of belief communities. Many children spoke about the way their local villages and town had expanded, and how this had impacted on the diversity of religion and belief. Some used census data to support their reporting and included perspectives indicating the increase in adherence to non-religious worldviews. Awareness of complexities of personal religious and non-religious worldviews It was lovely to hear from children about the different people they had interviewed as part of their film projects, including a range of views on the origins on the universe, as well as how their own beliefs had changed over their lifetime. Children also spoke about the influences – positive and negative-on peoples’ worldviews, and the impact this can have. Some children included perspectives from their parents or teachers, in some cases showing how they were different to their own views. Generational differences were highlighted by many children, but also showed that adherence to a particular worldview tradition from a young age did not necessarily mean that the person was an adherent now. Children, particularly in Key Stage 3 acknowledged that many people identify as spiritual, but not religious. They felt that this group might increase in number over the coming years. Hope for the future, but challenges we face too… Children talked about communities being more diverse, yet wanting them to be more cohesive and less divided. Several children spoke about the challenges of the climate crisis, and how we need to work together whatever our beliefs for the future of humanity. Children clearly valued diversity, seeing it as a positive, wanting to celebrate it and work towards creating respectful, harmonious communities. THANKYOU TO EVERYONE WHO TOOK PART!

Our winners!

Overall Winner: Zephan and Jonah – judges loved the creative approach, the inclusion of diversity of worldviews in the local area, as well as reference to changes over time and the stories of the families who made the film. Watch their film Key Stage 2 winners Florence, Chiltern Primary – Read Florence’s script Year 3 Group, Warren Road Primary – Watch their video Key Stage 2 Highly Commended Daniel, Chiltern Primary Nikki, Chiltern Primary Survey Group, Thorner Church of England Primary Year 5 Group, Warren Road Primary Key Stage 3 and 4 winners Millie and Isla, Litchfield Cathedral School – Watch their video Zara Jamal, Rushey Mead Academy – Read Zara’s script Key Stage 3 and 4 Highly Commended Navneet Wilkhu, Kings Norton Girls School Tormorden High Group, Tormorden High School Winning entries can be found on our website. Kathryn Wright CEO, Culham St Gabriel’s Trust To find out more about the work of the Religious Education Council of England and Wales https://www.religiouseducationcouncil.org.uk/