We are thrilled to welcome Morag Carrie from Beeslack High School to the line-up! Morag will be presenting her innovative project designed to weave literacy and RME together through the study of ‘Movers and Shakers.’ If you are looking for ways to increase personalisation and choice in your classroom while maintaining clear links to Read more
The face behind the STARME emails, normally seen running around the Festival of Learning making sure everything is running smoothly. This year Steph is sharing her recent research in RME and the findings from her podcast ‘What Even is RME?’. What to expect in this Session? Following a year-long research Read more
We are so delighted to have Orlaith Payne at the Festival of Learning this year. Orlaith is a Teaching Fellow in RME at the University of Strathclyde and supports student teachers in their placements. Orlaith is a wonderful speaker and always has a brilliant anecdote or two to share! What Read more
We are delighted to have Sue Thomson, from the Scottish Bible Society back at the Festival of Learning. This is her third year presenting and her sessions always are very well received with great tips that you can take straight back to the classroom. Both Primary and Secondary RME. What Read more
This week the Scottish Parliament voted against the proposed Assisted Dying Bill, once again bringing the issue of end-of-life choice into discussion. The Bill aimed to allow certain individuals with terminal illness to seek medical assistance to end their lives, under strict conditions. While the outcome is political, the questions 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
This RMPS in the News focuses on the recent events regarding the Israel-Iran conflict. Recent reports of Iranian missile and drone attacks, alongside retaliatory airstrikes in the region, have once again brought the reality of conflict into the global spotlight. News coverage focuses on military strategy and political consequences, but 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.
Looking to bring a breath of fresh air to your RME lessons this spring?
Join the Scottish Bible Society for a fast-paced, 30-minute CLPL Speed Meet! Designed specifically for Primary and Lower Secondary practitioners, Taking Easter Outdoors is packed with quick, practical, and engaging ideas to help you explore the Easter narrative beyond the classroom walls. Grab a cuppa, connect with peers, and leave with ready-to-use outdoor learning activities that will bring the Easter story to life for your learners.
On February 17th, 2024, as faith communities across Scotland entered seasons of reflection—Ramadan for Muslims and Lent for Christians—the RME community reached a landmark of its own. With the passing of the Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill, the landscape of our classrooms has fundamentally shifted.
For years, the “withdrawal clause” acted as a symbolic barrier, often conflating academic Religious Education with Religious Observance. By allowing students to be opt-out of the subject, the system inadvertently framed RME as a confessional activity rather than an academic discipline.
The Turning Point
That era has ended. As stated on the Scottish Government website:
“It is no longer possible to withdraw from RME.” (Scottish Government, 2026)
This change is not just a policy update; it is a validation of RME’s legitimacy. We are moving away from the precarious positioning of the 1960s and the “conscience-based” absences of the 1980s toward a pluralistic, robust curriculum that reflects modern Scotland.
Looking Ahead
Following in the footsteps of Wales, Scotland is now tasked with ensuring our curriculum is fit for a nation where traditional religious identification is evolving. As we enter this “Curriculum Improvement Cycle,” one thing is clear: RME is no longer an optional extra. It is a necessary, academic, and vital tool for understanding the complex world our learners inhabit.