New RE resources offer insights into Christianity and Methodism
The Methodist Church has created new informative Religious Education resources for Key Stage 1-4.
The resources were developed by the Methodist Schools and Education Service over a two-year period and their release comes just weeks after Ofsted strongly criticised the quality of RE provision in schools.
They offer perspectives on Christianity from a Methodist perspective and include an introduction to Methodism by the Reverend Dr Martin Wellings and former Methodist Youth President Sam Taylor.
Other sections look at the distinctiveness of Methodism and the structure of the Methodist Church.
John Keast OBE, Chair of RE Council of England and Wales, said: "Good religious education in all our schools is more important than ever these days. Religion and belief have such a high profile in current affairs, community and social matters, and personal development nowadays that everybody needs to know, understand and be able to make sense of it."
Lat Blaylock, Adviser for Religious Education Today and author of the resources, said: "It has been a great privilege to work with such high quality staff from Methodist Schools and the Education service to create new materials for RE in Methodist schools. These materials give any teacher practically inspiring planning to use in their own classroom, enabling pupils to achieve more and learn about their Methodist and Christian heritage."
The resources have been successfully piloted in Methodist schools around the country.
Blaylock said: "There's a focus on pupils' open-hearted and broad minded spiritual development too. OFsted criticise schools for low standards, but the Methodist RE project has done something practical to help. RE in these schools will enable pupils to understand Christianity for themselves, and respond freely."
Jude Levermore, Head of Discipleship and Ministries, said: "We are proud of this top quality resource which will help teachers to engage with children in discussing things that really matter to them and will make relevant the heritage of Methodism to young people today."
