The saying goes that ‘nothing in life is free’. RE might just be the exception. The new REOnline website is a free, reliable and extensive go-to resource for teachers of RE at all stages of their career. The wealth of material available defies the limits of a blog, but here are my current top three.
1. Subject Knowledge Enhancement Resources
Developing subject knowledge in RE is a lifelong endeavour. For those coming to RE from other disciplines, however, knowing where to start can feel overwhelming.
The Subject Knowledge Enhancement Resources provide a structured starting point. They are particularly useful for those preparing to begin teacher training, trainees developing their subject knowledge, non-specialists teaching RE and primary teachers looking to strengthen their understanding of religion and worldviews.
The site provides a menu of free, reliable materials, organised from accessible introductory resources through to more detailed material. Resources are also listed by type, making it easy to find books, podcasts, online courses and other materials. It covers major religious and non-religious worldviews, alongside philosophy, theology and the human and social sciences.
The GCSE and A-level sections include links to the major exam boards and guidance to help teachers navigate exam board materials, which can be pretty confusing if you are unfamiliar with them.
Teachers can also use the accompanying subject knowledge audit to identify priorities, select appropriate resources and keep a record of how their knowledge develops over time.
My particular favourite is the collection of common misconceptions, organised by tradition. These are invaluable for thinking ahead about what pupils, and sometimes teachers, may misunderstand and ensuring these misconceptions are explicitly addressed in the classroom.
In short, this part of the website provides an excellent starting point for anyone teaching RE who wants to identify gaps, strengthen their subject knowledge and find reliable resources without having to search for them independently.
2. RE Glossary
Teaching RE requires an extensive vocabulary drawn from a variety of traditions and languages. This can be especially daunting for new teachers of RE. I am therefore delighted to be able to direct my trainees to this excellent resource, covering over 600 words and phrases relating to religion and worldviews.
You can search for individual terms or browse terminology by tradition. The Glossary
provides clear explanations of key concepts, beliefs and practices, alongside alternative spellings and useful ‘find out more’ links. It is particularly useful for checking subject knowledge, planning lessons and ensuring terminology is used accurately in the classroom.
It is an excellent, reliable and easy-to-navigate one-stop shop. I encourage my trainees to save the Glossary as a favourite and use it routinely. Have a look for yourself here:
https://www.reonline.org.uk/glossary/
3. Core Knowledge essays
RE:Online has always been a reliable source of information about religion and worldviews. A welcome development on the new website is the addition of Core Knowledge essays, designed to give teachers and trainee teachers a secure starting point for developing their knowledge of different religious and non-religious worldviews. See the Hindu one here as an example.
They provide accessible overviews of key ideas, beliefs, practices and terminology that teachers are likely to need when planning and teaching RE. For a busy teacher planning an unfamiliar topic, or simply needing a quick subject knowledge refresher, these are an excellent first port of call.
Importantly, they are a starting point rather than the final word. The Core Knowledge essays sit alongside more detailed In-depth Knowledge essays, allowing teachers to begin with the essentials before exploring greater complexity and diversity within traditions.
I could go on. Instead, I strongly encourage you to spend some time exploring REOnline and identify your own top three. Whether you are a trainee, an experienced RE teacher or someone teaching outside your specialism, there is plenty here that you will return to time and again.
Not bad for free!
About
Karen Steele has taught RE in secondary schools for over 20 years. She is a senior lecturer at the University of Worcester, where she leads the secondary RE PGCE. You can link to her other blogs which are full of recommendations to improve subject knowledge. https://missevareteacher.wordpress.com/blog/