Subject Knowledge Enhancement Resources

Background

As there is no longer funding for subject knowledge enhancement courses for those applying to RE PGCE courses we are aware that ITE providers will be looking for ways to support applicants to address gaps in their subject knowledge. To assist with this below is a list of largely free online courses, podcasts, webinars and websites that might be useful in putting together packages of support for applicants to develop subject knowledge prior to enrolment onto teacher education courses. These resources are also of use to teachers with other specialisms who are teaching RE and to primary teachers. You might also find this blog by Karen Steele from the University of Worcester useful New to RE? Developing Subject Knowledge

We thank Karen Steele for providing this comprehensive list of resources to develop subject knowledge. Whilst they have been written from an English context there is much that will be useful across the four nations.

Below is a menu (rather than a prescription) of resources for you to select from. They have been separated into sections to help you. Each section includes a range of resources. Those listed first are more accessible and those further down the list are more detailed. This list is not exhaustive but should provide you with a good introduction using reliable sources.

If you are on an ITT course your provider will give you a subject knowledge audit and help you track the development of your knowledge across your training year.  In this situation the resources listed can  be used to support and guide that development.

Tips

  • Complete the subject knowledge audit (see download below) and use this to prioritise. Use the resource lists below to select the resources that will help you to fill the gaps in your knowledge. You can judge if you need to begin with the more simple resources, or need the more advanced one.
  • Keep a record/ journal to record your progress (trainee teachers will be required to show the development of their subject knowledge, so this will be really helpful)
  • Look at GCSE/ A-level specification and examination materials (more guidance below)
  • Subscribe to the REOnline newsletter
  • Subscribe to the Religion Media Centre news bulletins here:
  • Join the National Association of RE Teachers (NATRE) – there is a student subscription – to get the latest news  and access to resources.
  • If you are in Scotland you will also want to join STARME

Introduction to the subject

Culham St Gabriel’s Short Courses Start with the introductory courses and move on to the Digging Deeper modules if appropriate:

The Open University Religion, Belief and Worldviews Learning hub The following courses and videos may be of particular help:

Future Learn: Why Religion Matters: Religious Literacy, Culture and Diversity

Alison Courses:

Reading

  • Holloway, R (2016) A Little History of Religion
  • Holt, J.D. (2022) Religious Education in the Secondary School

Buddhism

Video Resources

Reading

  • Holt, J.D. (2022) Religious Education in the Secondary School, chapter 8

Websites

RE Online: Buddhist Worldviews essays and links

Podcasts

The RE Podcast: S1 E8 The One With The Middle Way

The RE Podcast: S7 E12 The One About Decolonising Buddhism

Christianity

Video Resources

Reading

  • Holt, J.D. (2022) Religious Education in the Secondary School, chapter 9

Podcasts

Websites

RE Online: Christian worldviews essays and links

Hindu Dharma

Video Resources

Reading

  • Holt, J.D. (2022) Religious Education in the Secondary School, chapter 10

Podcasts

Websites

Islam

Video Resources

Reading

  • Holt, J.D. (2022) Religious Education in the Secondary School, chapter 11

Websites and online courses

Judaism

Video Resources

Reading

  • Holt, J.D. (2022) Religious Education in the Secondary School, chapter 12

Podcasts

Website and online courses

RE Online: Jewish Worldviews essays and links 

Jewish Living Online

Non-religious worldviews

Video Resources

Podcasts

Websites and online courses

Sikhi

Video resources

Reading

  • Holt, J.D. (2022) Religious Education in the Secondary School, chapter 13

Podcasts

Websites

Other religions and worldviews

Disciplines in RE

Many people thinking of teaching RE will have a background in a particular disciplines or ways of knowing (Theology, Philosophy, Social Sciences, History etc.). RE draws on a range of disciplines and all contribute to the richness of the subject. It is important that we think carefully about the disciplinary knowledge we need to study religion and worldviews and where we have particular strengths, or areas that need development.

Philosophy of Religion

Podcasts

Reading

  • Warburton, N (2012) A Little History of Philosophy

Video Resources

  • Meols Cop RE Disciplinary Conversations webinar (Philosophy)

Websites and online courses

Theology

Video resources

  • Meols Cop RE Disciplinary Conversations webinar (Theology)
  • Why Study the differences between Theology and Religious Studies with Alison Milbank video

Podcasts

Websites

Online courses

Human & Social Sciences

Video Resources

Podcasts

Websites

GCSE Religious Studies

Here are links to the GCSE exam boards. Each will have links to the specification and assessment materials. Although there are differences, there is a lot of common content and skills. Do not worry too much, just choose one to explore. Have a go at an exam paper to help you get a feel for what it is like and then find the mark scheme and have a go at marking your work. You could also look at the examiner’s report to see what the common mistakes were etc.

There are many materials available to support the GCSE that you might find helpful for your subject knowledge and to help you understand what is required at GCSE level. For example:

  • Ben Wardle does subject knowledge videos and walk-through exam papers on YouTube
  • Series 17 of The RE Podcast has a number of episodes dedicated to GCSE RS

A-level Religious Studies

Here are links to the A-level exam boards. Each will have links to the specification and assessment materials. Although there are differences, there is a lot of common content and skills. Do not worry too much, just choose one to explore.

There are many materials available to support the A-level that you might find helpful for your subject knowledge and to help you understand what is required at A-level. For example:

Further Development

Here are useful links for you to explore further

Reading

Websites

Podcasts

  • The RE Podcast – explore hundreds of episodes on a wide range of topics related to RE
  • In Our Time podcasts – hundreds of episodes on religion and philosophy
  • Theos podcasts – podcasts on a wide range of topics related to religion and worldviews
  • Beyond Belief podcasts –a wonderful archive of episodes about many aspects of religion and lived experience
  • The Moral Maze – debate examining the moral issues behind one of the week’s news stories

Online Courses

Teaching Resources

This resource has been compiled by Karen Steele from the University of Worcester. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list, but a guide.