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. 

Online Courses

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

• Introducing a religion and worldviews approach
• Introduction to subject knowledge

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

• Introducing the Philosophy of Religion
• An education in religion and worldviews
• Why not ‘World Religions’?

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

HarvardX:

• Religious Literacy: Traditions and Scriptures
• Buddhism Through its Scriptures
• Christianity Through its Scriptures
• Hinduism Through Its Scriptures
• Islam Through its Scriptures
• Judaism Through its Scriptures
• Sikhism Through its Scriptures

Humanists UK: Courses on Humanism

Alison Courses:

• Introduction to Theology and Religious Studies
• Comparative Study of Religion
• An Introduction to Philosophy

Reed: Exploring Comparative Religion (there is a small cost)

Podcasts

The RE Podcast
BBC Radio 4 Beyond Belief
BBC World Service – Heart and Soul
BBC Radio 4 In Our Time
World of Belief

Webinars

University of Chester TRS Seminars:

• TRS Chester Religious Studies Webinars Season 3
• TRS Chester Religious Studies Webinars Season 4
• TRS Chester Religious Studies Webinars/Videos (2020)

Websites, including exam specifications

AQA
BBC: Religions
EDUQAS
GCSE subject content
National Association of Teachers of RE
OCR
Pearson GCSE
Pearson A level
Philosophy of Religion
RE:ONLINE
Religious Education Council
Religion Media Centre
The British Association for the Study of Religions (BASR)
The University of Nottingham Video Gallery

This resource has been compiled by several ITT providers and published by Culham St Gabriel’s on their behalf. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list, but a guide.