Workshops

Hearts, Minds & Making a Difference: YPI meets RME at Inverkeithing High by Celia Newton

YPI has gained considerable traction since its launch in 2008, approximately 300 schools now participate. We will look at the delivery of YPI in RME considering the aims of YPI, teaching and learning approaches within RME, encouraging active engagement with pupils, supporting the delivery of the “Values in Action” unit and “troubleshooting” concerns around its delivery. This workshop will support teachers who are running YPI, or supporting other departments doing so, whether they are seasoned veterans or newbies, hopefully giving some inspiration to take back to the classroom!

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Secondary school student perceptions of RMPS in a secular society by Rhianna Stewart

With Scotland becoming an ever increasingly secular society, the place for RMPS in the secondary school curriculum has become increasingly questioned. My research explores the extent of which secondary students believe RMPS contributes to their understanding of contemporary social and ethical issues in a secular society, factors which influence their perception of the subject and if students perceive RMPS as contributing to their personal development and moral reasoning.

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Using Dilemma Discussions in Moral Education in Primary Schools by Chantelle Boyle

Moral education is most effective when based on discussions and debate (Kohlberg and Hersh, 1977) but that can often be a challenge in the primary classroom. Time can be a barrier to exploring moral education topics (Clanachan and Matemba, 2015). But even as little as 10 minutes per day can be beneficial to students’ moral development. In this session, we will explore the use of dilemma discussions where free video resources will be shared that have been developed from my PhD research.

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Teaching About Judaism by Sydney Switzer, Jewish Council of Scotland

This This session will provide an overview of relevant Jewish topics and traditions, as well as looking at challenges that can come up when teaching about Judaism. We will be exploring some resources from the Jewish Council of Scotland which can be used in a classroom setting, and will have an opportunity to ask questions as well. We will also discuss how to support Jewish students and families in the classroom.

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“Supporting Differentiation in Religious Education: Insights into Curriculum and Assessment in Australian and Scottish Catholic Schools” by Laura Wilson

As we undertake educational reform in Scotland, including curriculum improvement, let’s learn from best practice elsewhere. This paper explores the similarities and differences in the delivery of Religious Education (RE) in Catholic schools across Australia and Scotland, focusing on curriculum design and assessment strategies. It examines how RE staff can be supported in differentiating instruction to meet the diverse needs of students, particularly in terms of religious background, learning styles, and abilities. Through a comparative lens, based on the lived experience of the presenter, the paper offers insights into effective differentiation practices that can inform the development of RE in Scotland’s evolving educational landscape.

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An Invitation to the High School Ethics Cup by Michael Cholbi

Our session will introduce RME educators to the Ethics Cup, a team-based oral presentation competition for high school students in which they investigate contemporary ethical controversies (https://ethicscup.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk). The session will explain the rationale, format, and logistics of the Cup competition, as well as providing practical advice about how to recruit and develop a team.

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Introducing N5/Higher Philosophy in Secondary Schools by Jonas Christensen

This session aims to give share some experiences about how to successfully introduce SQA certificate Philosophy classes secondary schools. This will include suggestions on how to give pupils the best chance of attaining and addressing some worries that schools (or teachers) might have, such as whether philosophy will cannibalise RMPS and whether there’s a pathway from Higher Philosophy to Advanced Higher RMPS.

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Scottish Interfaith Week 2025 & Competition for Schools by Jill Stevens Interfaith Scotland

As we aspire to the safe and thriving futures we want for faith communities in Scotland, we must prioritise the education of today’s young people.

Festival events for Scottish Interfaith Week 2025 will explore the key priorities of Scotland’s youth: Education, climate, mental health, poverty and discrimination.

Our hope is to encourage young people to engage in the festival, learn about other cultures and meet people from diverse religious and belief backgrounds.

When we make space for dialogue and understanding, our whole society flourishes.

Find out about our competition for schools and ways to engage young people in the festival.

By STARMEadmin, ago