As National Lead for RE across eight schools, one of the RE:ONLINE resources I return to again and again is the searchable blog section. It is an invaluable way of keeping up to date with current thinking, policy developments and curriculum conversations across the subject. Recently, I found the curriculum and assessment resources particularly useful, especially those exploring the Curriculum and Assessment Review and national developments in RE.
Articles such as “A Bold Step for RE: Why the Review Got It Right” and Carpe Diem: Why Consensus in RE Matters Now More Than Ever have helped me reflect on how a potential future national curriculum could strengthen the place of RE while remaining academically rigorous and inclusive.
The wider guidance on a Religion and Worldviews approach sharing an infographic, films, exemplar resources and further reading on this approach have also supported me to consider a stronger place for RE in the curriculum. These pieces are especially valuable for leaders seeking to develop a Religion and Worldviews curriculum that is both scholarly and relevant to the diverse experiences of young people.
Another area of RE:ONLINE that is relatively new but has had a significant impact on my work is the Core Knowledge Essays section. During the development of our trust-wide curriculum, I regularly use the core knowledge essays alongside the accompanying glossaries. Cross-referencing these resources helps me to ensure that the substantive knowledge taught across our schools is accurate, uses appropriate disciplinary terminology and reflects current scholarship. As a result, we have been adequately supported to build a curriculum that is genuinely knowledge-rich and supports scholars to engage with religion and worldviews in a rigorous and meaningful way.
One of the most valuable parts of RE:ONLINE for me is the Leadership section. Working in a subject leadership role can sometimes be isolating, particularly when the role involves supporting colleagues across different schools and contexts. The opportunity to read about the experiences of other RE leaders is therefore invaluable. Their blogs offer honest reflections, practical insights and a welcome reminder that many of the challenges and opportunities I encounter are shared by others.
I particularly value content written by colleagues working in roles similar to my own. Their reflections encourage me to think critically about my leadership and provide ideas that I can adapt to suit my own context. Having recently established a local RE Hub, I also found the reflections on developing RE network extremely useful. They helped me to consider how the network could build a sustainable professional community in which colleagues feel connected, supported and able to learn from one another.
The funding and professional development guidance is another important feature. It helps leaders identify opportunities to strengthen both their own expertise and that of their wider subject communities. Through RE:ONLINE, I discovered the Culham St Gabriel’s Leadership Programme. I am now enrolled on the programme and am thoroughly enjoying the opportunity to develop my leadership skills, deepen my knowledge of RE and learn alongside other committed professionals.
These are just a few examples of what RE:ONLINE offers. Every visit seems to uncover another high-quality resource, making it an essential tool for anyone passionate about excellent Religion and Worldviews education.
About
Donna Lee is the National Lead for Religious Education at Astrea Academy Trust, supporting secondary schools across South Yorkshire and Cambridgeshire. She leads on curriculum development, subject leadership and professional development, working with both specialist and non-specialist teachers to ensure that every scholar receives a high-quality religious education. Donna is passionate about developing a rigorous, knowledge-rich Religion and Worldviews curriculum and supporting thriving professional communities for RE teachers. She has recently established a local REHub and is currently enrolled on the Culham St Gabriel’s Leadership Programme, which is helping her to deepen her subject knowledge and further develop her leadership practice.