How many times have you tried to explain what you do in your RME classroom, only to be met with the phrase, “Wow, I wish it was like that when I was at school!” EVERY SINGLE PARENTS NIGHT!
There’s often a huge gap between the public perception of Religious and Moral Education and the learning that we facilitate every day. Now , let’s be honest we know that there are budget cuts, time constraints, timetabling issues that mean RME isn’t getting the full justice it deserves. But there is some absolutely amazing RME happening in the country and we need to shout it from the rooftops!
I believe our subject needs a bit of PR. We need to share the incredible work happening in RME classrooms across Scotland, celebrate our successes, and open up a real conversation about our practice. We are so brilliant at doing this to each other, sharing in meeetings, the rare event we meet up at how awesome our subject is – but we need to externalise these conversations. Let people know what ACTUALLY happens in an RME classroom?
That’s why, as part of my Farmington Scholarship, I am launching the “What is RME?” project.
The first step is a national survey, and I need your help. I am asking all Primary teachers and Secondary teachers of RME to complete a survey that gives us an insight into your classroom. I want to know what you teach, why you teach it, and how you teach it.
What are the goals of this project?
My plan is to find out what is happening on the ground in Scottish RME and use this research to:
- Map the RME Curriculum: Understand what content is being taught and how teachers are interpreting curriculum guidance in practice.
- Debunk the Myths: Create a clear, evidence-based picture of what RME is in the 21st century… and what it is not.
- Celebrate and Spotlight: Showcase the excellent and innovative learning and teaching happening in our schools.
- Support Professional Learning: Help educators reflect on their own practice by hearing about tried-and-tested methods from colleagues across the country.
From Research to Resource: Introducing the Podcast
This research won’t just sit in a report. The findings will be unpacked and explored in a brand new podcast: LearningRMPS: The Podcast. This will be a space to capture the vital conversations between teachers and provide informal, relevant CLPL for our community.
Think of it as a way to capture the ‘coffee break conversations’ of RME teachers. ‘How’s your day going?’ ‘what are you doing with your first years?’ ‘any good ideas for teaching about worship?’.
If you are interested in featuring on this, there is a spot in the survey to note your interest!
Have Your Say and Shape the Conversation
This is your opportunity to contribute to a national picture of our subject. By sharing your experience, you are helping to promote the value of RME and support colleagues.
The survey is anonymous and will take approximately 10 minutes to complete.
[Click Here to Complete the Survey]
Thank you for being part of this important conversation.