Why does an education in Religion and Worldviews (R&W) matter?

Voices of children and young people.

This was the question that many teachers posed to their pupils last term for our inaugural Blog Competition. We had an amazing number of entries and it is clear that everyone has a view on Religion and Worldviews (or Religious Education). At the end of this blog you can see the names of all the winners, but here I want to draw out some of the key themes and creative ways in which pupils want to advocate for our incredible subject. An education in Religion and Worldviews enables us to understand diversity in our world. The diversity of our complex world was a recurrent theme. Bloggers spoke of everyone being different, having different worldviews and the importance of appreciating this. Many felt that studying Religion and Worldviews brought a genuine, real and authentic understanding of the lived experience of being a religious or non-religious believer. For many blog writers, Religion and Worldviews is about the nature of humanity; understanding who and what we are as human beings with all the complexity and divergence that this brings. An education in Religion and Worldviews increases our knowledge, providing global and historical perspectives. The importance of knowing about and understanding religious and non-religious worldviews came through very strongly in many of the blogs. Young people spoke about the importance of understanding historical contexts to comprehend the way things are today. They highlighted the interweaving of history with religion. Many felt that knowledge acquisition led to respect and to challenging some of the media stereotypes of some worldviews. An education in Religion and Worldviews supports development of positive values. Bloggers talked about the many values they felt an education in Religion and Worldviews promoted. These included peace, respect and empathy. A number talked about the way in which this was modelled in their schools by safe spaces being created to talk about controversial issues. An education in Religion and Worldviews helps you with your future career. From the youngest to the oldest, bloggers highlighted the value of Religion and Worldviews in terms of future career paths; professions highlighted included law, international development work, counselling, mental health services, diplomatic roles and journalism. Many more spoke about the importance of the subject for simple daily interactions with people they meet. An education in Religion and Worldviews offers something more….. For many of our bloggers though the subject offers something more…. It sparks the imagination and curiosity, it empowers and opens doors of communication, it unlocks a tapestry of ideas and enables young people to develop their own patchwork of views. It gives each one of them confidence to talk about religious and non-religious worldviews in the public sphere. For our bloggers, an education in Religion and Worldviews is considered vital so they are prepared for the real, complex society in which we all live. They want to be able to navigate this world and begin to make sense of it. They want to have knowledge, understanding and skills, but also values and attitudes which will enable them to be confident, free- thinking participants in this ever-changing global landscape. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OUR WINNERS!! Key Stage 1 Winners Areilla, Newbold and Tredington Primary School Abhijot, Clifton Primary School Harnoor, Clifton Primary School Highly Commended Namanpreet, Clifton Primary School Ishana, St Andrews (Barnsbury) Church of England Primary School Key Stage 2 Winners Soha, Old Trafford Community Academy Catherine, Lythe Church of England Primary School Nancy, Newbold and Tredington Primary School Emily, St Andrews (Barnsbury) Church of England Primary School Highly Commended: Sohani, Clifton Primary School Farzad and Idris, Old Trafford Community Academy Avineet, Clifton Primary School Hunter, Pickhurst Junior Academy Key Stage 3 Winners Matthew, Thomas Gainsborough School Abby, Saint Francis Xavier School Arwen, St James’ Senior Girls School Maxwell, The Bishops’ Blue Coat Church of England School Cara, King’s Rochester Preparatory School Highly Commended Skye, Prenton High School for Girls Maisie, The Morley Academy Brooke, Prenton High School for Girls Niamh, The Bishops’ Blue Coat Church of England High School Vanessa, Goldington Academy Ella, Lincoln Christ’s Hospital School Olivia, St Mary’s Catholic School Key Stage 4 Winners Scarlett, Fulston Manor School Caitlin, Goldington Academy Lucy, Cox Green School Maisy, Hagley Catholic High School Highly Commended Meadow, Saltash Community School Jordan, Saint Francis Xavier School Lily, Albany Academy Pennie, St Hild’s Church of England School Zama, Bradford Academy Key Stage 5 Winners Ashton, Old Hulme Grammar School Ella, Highworth Grammar School Jessica, Highworth Grammar School Anna, Hagley Catholic High School Megha, Langley Grammar School Highly Commended Reva, Langley Grammar School Philippa, Old Hulme Grammar School   You can read all of the winning blogs on RE:ONLINE   Kathryn Wright, on behalf of the Judging Team 2021