We are delighted to welcome Colin Whittet from The Salvation Army to the Festival of Learning line-up. As a key voice behind the Starfish mentoring program, Colin understands the unique pressures of the modern classroom, from Early Level all the way to Level 4. He joins us to share how one-to-one mentoring can become a natural Read more
STARME is looking for teachers and other practitioners (school leaders, researchers, community groups) doing something interesting relating to Religious Education in the early learning, primary or secondary sector and who would like to share their practice with others via an in-person session at our annual Festival of Learning event. Our Read more
Two years before the release of ‘Adolescence’, and around the time we started hearing about someone called Andrew Tate, our department planned a series of BGE lessons with the aim of helping our pupils to become better thinkers. We wanted our pupils to see that, in an increasingly polarised world, settling for easy answers is often a mistake. Two years later, this unit is receiving top feedback from S4 pupils and even increasing our SQA course uptake. This session will look at the process of planning the unit, its content, and will share details of how to access the lessons and documentary clips used.
Jonas Christensen from George Watson’s College will be discussing how to successfully introduce Philosophy to your curriculum, from BGE through to SQA certification. This session provides actionable advice on boosting student achievement and tackles some of the ‘big questions’ facing departments today including: Can Philosophy and RMPS coexist? Does Higher Philosophy Read more
This RMPS in the News example focuses on the recent shooting targeting a Jewish community during Hanukkah in Australia. Classes can use this to explore issues of religious prejudice, freedom of belief, and moral responsibility. While the event itself was distressing, it has provided an opportunity to address antisemitism, challenge misinformation, Read more
STARME member Gillian Dunsmuir is currently undertaking a Farmington Institute Research Scholarship with a focus on ‘Raising Attainment and Closing the Gap in Senior Phase RMPS’. Expanding on her insights from the Festival of Learning, Gillian aims to produce a practical Teacher Toolkit based on effective learning and teaching approaches in RMPS classrooms across Scotland. To make this a valuable, national resource, she would love to hear from as many colleagues as possible! Share your effective strategies and good practice via the survey below. All strategies shared will be fully credited. The survey is accepting responses until the 12th of December.
Join us for a special online speed meet session led by the fantastic Sarah Blair, a presenter at the 2024 and 2025 Starme Festival of Learning! Sarah will be leading a half-hour session on Monday, October 6th at 4pm to help us make RME more relevant and engaging in the Read more
Stephen C. Scholes (2025): The Marginalization of Religious Education: Solutions for a Shared Challenge from Scotland, Religious Education, DOI: 10.1080/00344087.2025.2541484 This journal article by Dr Stephen C. Scholes, Senior Lecturer in Education at Queen Margaret University, investigates the marginalization of Religious Education (RE) in Scottish schools, building upon international discussions within Read more
Following from her session at the Festival of Learning, Fiona Moss, Culham St Gabriels, will be sharing more about Religion and World View approach to RME. This will be an interesting session to consider and understand expecially in a time of curriculum change.
Following his successful workshop at the Festival of Learning, Michael Cholibi will be sharing more about the Ethics Cup. This Speed Meet will introduce Teachers to the Ethics Cup, a team-based oral presentation competition for high school students in which they investigate contemporary ethical controversies. Joining details for this session Read more