Religious Education in schools continues to be the subject of debate and is especially topical in our multicultural and multi-faith society. This book is designed to give students and newly qualified teachers a contextual and theoretical background to this subject, by exploring and challenging assumptions about the place of religion in education. The book is divided into the following sections: Section 1 sets out the context for religious education in the curriculum. It looks at political, social and religious influences on legislation, particularly in faith schools, and raises questiuons about assessment. Section 2 focuses on Religious Education in the classroom, exploring our understanding of religion and the concept of development in Religious Education. It also looks at teaching Religious Education to pupils with Special Educational Needs. Section 3 examines Religious Education as a whole-school issue, considering its relationship to literacy, citizenship, collective worship and spiritual, ethical and moral development.
Issues in Religious Education Teaching will be important reading for student teachers at all levels, and will also provide a useful refresher for experienced teachers.