St Mary’s Inspires new RE Teachers

On Friday 23^rd January 2015, St Mary’s University, Twickenham will join forces with the National Association of Teachers of Religious Education (NATRE) to host a one day conference for aspiring Religious Education teachers. ‘Challenging RE: A day conference to inspire new RE teachers’ will challenge and engage those hoping to become newly qualified RE teachers through interactive workshops on innovative and creative pedagogies in RE. The free conference, held at the University’s Strawberry Hill campus, will be hosted by Cathy Hobday, St Mary’s Senior Lecturer in Secondary Religious Education, and presenters will include Lat Blaylock, RE Today Service’s Adviser and Editor of REtoday magazine, internationally renowned for his excellence in creative practice in RE. NATRE members will benefit from free entry to the conference as well as students on Initial Teacher Training (ITT) courses, including School-centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT), TeachFirst and other routes into teaching. The National Association of Teachers of RE is working with University providers of PGCE RE courses and other RE professionals to challenge and inspire new teachers of RE in 2015. The programme for these conferences provides exciting and inspiring RE ideas, vision, national perspectives and resources to new RE teachers and their mentors. This one day conference, provides active, up to the minute and inspiring practical examples for new teachers to use, and national UK perspectives on the current development of RE for new entrants as they join the profession. Dr Maureen Glackin, Head of the School of Education, Theology and Leadership, said, “The conference is one stop shop for practical and creative ideas for excellent RE teaching and is a great opportunity to network across the RE world. Do join us for what will be an inspiring day.” For more information and to book your place, please email catherine.hobday@stmarys.ac.uk. NATRE is the subject teacher association for RE professionals. It works to address the real concerns of primary and secondary RE teachers in all schools and institutions and at all stages of their career. Through its membership scheme, it provides a focal point for their concerns, a representative voice at national level and publications and courses to promote professional development. NATRE works through its Executive and it’s Executive Officer.