Scottish Education

When curriculum reform feels clear, messy, and everything in between: shared lessons from RME and RVE in practice with Stephen Scholes and Jennifer Harding-Richards

If you’ve been feeling a bit anxious about how Scotland’s Curriculum Improvement Cycle (CIC) is going to pan out, Stephen and Jennifer’s session was a we all needed. Joining us to share the highs and lows of the recent Welsh curriculum overhaul, they gave practitioners an incredibly eye-opening look at Read more

By STARMEadmin, ago

RME Digital Speed Meet: Practical Tools with Elaine Tait, Scripture Union Scotland

We are pleased to announce our next Digital Speed Meet, continuing our series of short, high-impact sessions designed for the busy educator. This 30-minute online event focuses on providing practical, ready-to-use resources that can be implemented in the classroom immediately. Featured Guest: Elaine Tait (Scripture Union Scotland) For this session, Read more

By STARMEadmin, ago

Free Resource – RME The Christmas Conundrum

The Christmas Conundrum: An RMPS Escape Room Looking for a festive end-of-term activity? STARME member Sarah Blair shares a new downloadable escape room! Students are recruited by the North Pole Council to solve clues, unlock Santa’s Workshop, and recover the “Key of Kindness.” Perfect for RMPS classes, this ready-to-use PowerPoint comes complete with solutions and teacher notes.

By STARMEadmin, ago

STARME Response to STARME: Position Statement on Future Inspection Frameworks and Inspectorate Practice

STARME is calling for fundamental reform of inspection practices for Religious and Moral Education (RME) and RERC. Inconsistent inspection is undermining the legal status of RME/RERC, leading to widespread non-compliance in Scottish schools.

Our position statement demands that future frameworks must guarantee Specialism, Clarity, Consistency, and acknowledgment of Systemic Challenges to finally secure high-quality, statutory religious education.

Read the full paper to see STARME’s four non-negotiable principles for the future of the inspectorate and RME/RERC provision.

By STARMEadmin, ago

Action Required – Stage 2 – Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill

Despite broad support from the Equalities Committee and MSPs for decoupling Religious and Moral Education (RME) from Religious Observance (RO), the Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill still threatens RME’s status. The core problem remains: the outdated right of withdrawal from RME is still retained, treating a core, non-confessional academic subject like an optional, confessional activity.

STARME is issuing an urgent call to action: We need every member to contact their MSPs now to ensure Stage 2 amendments are lodged and supported to remove the right of withdrawal from RME entirely. This is the critical window to safeguard the future integrity and mandatory nature of RME for all Scottish pupils.

By STARMEadmin, ago

URGENT: The Voice of RME Teachers Must Be Heard on the Children (RME Withdrawal) Bill

Critical Deadline: Stage 1 Debate is November 25th! The Stage 1 debate on the Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill is scheduled for Tuesday, November 25, 2025. This means we have a matter of days, to ensure the professional voice of Religious and Read more

By STARMEadmin, ago

Help Build the RMPS Teacher Toolkit: Research on Closing the Gap and Raising Attainment

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.

By STARMEadmin, ago
olly bray, starme 25 festival of learning

What does the Curriculum Review Cycle Mean for RME? Reflections from STARME Festival of Learning by Steph Whyte

At a recent Festival of Learning, Ollie Bray, the strategic director at Education Scotland, delivered a keynote address on the Curriculum Review Cycle and its specific implications for Religious and Moral Education (RME). He emphasized that RME’s position as one of the eight distinct curricular areas is secure and it will not be merged into other faculties like social subjects or humanities. Bray highlighted the unique and vital role RME plays in challenging students to think critically, engage with complex debates, and navigate unfamiliar intellectual contexts. The keynote served as a strong reaffirmation of RME’s importance in developing critically aware young people, noting that RME teachers have been actively involved in the curriculum review consultation process since May 2023.

By STARMEadmin, ago