In this insightful session, Fiona Moss, Education and Programs Manager for Culham St Gabriel’s, delves into the “religion and worldviews” approach to Religious and Moral Education (RME) and Religious Education (RE). Drawing on her extensive experience, including her past roles with RE Today and the National Association of Teachers of RE, Moss outlines the origins and key tenets of this evolving pedagogical framework. She highlights its continuity with established scholarship (e.g., Robert Jackson, Andrew Wright) while emphasizing its departure from the traditional “world religions paradigm” to better reflect diverse lived experiences and changing demographics. The discussion differentiates between organized and personal worldviews, using compelling examples like the “Picturing Islam, Picturing Muslims” resource to illustrate the practical application of this approach in challenging stereotypes and fostering deeper understanding. Moss further explores substantive content and pedagogical methodologies, offering concrete examples, such as how to move beyond superficial mosque studies to a more nuanced exploration of location, voices, and diversity. The session concludes with practical advice on language use in the classroom and the importance of acknowledging the messy, overlapping nature of real-world beliefs, demonstrating how this approach empowers pupils to become responsible interpreters of diverse worldviews.
