Teachers and school leaders from across the diocese came together in Wells for the Religious Education Conference, which this year centred on enhancing RE through thoughtful reflection on teaching methods and practical exploration of the worldviews approach. It also provided valuable opportunities for professional networking and collaboration.
Gillian Georgiou from the Diocese of Lincoln, who is a national expert in the development of the worldviews approach to RE, delivered the keynote address. Louise Jenkins, Bath and Wells Lead Education Adviser, says, “Gillian delivered an inspiring and deeply engaging presentation titled "Inspiring Curiosity: A Religion and Worldviews Approach." Her talk challenged and encouraged teachers to reimagine how we help young people understand diverse beliefs and perspectives.”
Cathy Collings, RE Lead at Thurlbear Primary School, shared practical strategies for applying the worldviews approach when planning a unit of work. Cathy’s session encouraged those present to think about bridging theory and classroom practice, offering clear insights that teachers could implement straight away.
Part of the day was dedicated planning time, giving those teachers who attended an opportunity to reflect on the day's learning and collaborate with their peers, supported by Gillian’s expertise. Louise says, “These meaningful discussions led to tangible plans and ideas for implementing the worldviews approach within individual school contexts.”
Reflecting on the day Louise said, “The conference atmosphere was one of shared purpose, professional growth, and community. Everyone enjoyed the opportunity to connect with colleagues from across the diocese, and the beautiful weather provided the perfect backdrop for lunch in the garden at Flourish House, further enriching the day’s sense of renewal and reflection.
“We are confident that the conference will have a lasting impact—not only deepening understanding of the worldviews approach but also equipping teachers with the tools and confidence to bring it to life in their classrooms.”
Louise thanked those who had contributed to the meeting, she said, “Our heartfelt thanks go to Gillian Georgiou and Cathy Collings for their exceptional contributions, and to Shell Sullivan and Rebekah Guy, our Somerset SACRE advisers for secondary and primary RE, for their invaluable support building up to and throughout the day. We would also like to thank everyone who attended. We are truly grateful for their continued dedication and for all you do to champion RE for young people across our diocese.”