Persona dolls are a great way to introduce young children to ideas like other religions. Malkit is a Sikh persona doll. Downloadable here is a series of sessions designed for use with a persona doll to explore Sikhism through special times (birth, combing, Vaisakhi) special places (Gurdwara), special books (Guru Granth Sahib) and special people (Guru Nanak). Also available here is a PowerPoint presentation of Malkit's Gurdwara.

Persona dolls are a great way to introduce young children to ideas like other religions. Hassan is a Muslim persona doll. Downloadable here is a series of sessions designed for use with a persona doll to explore Islam through special times (prayer, birth, Eid and Ramadan) special places (the mosque), special books (the Koran) and special people (Mohammad). Also available here is a PowerPoint presentation of Hassan's mosque. (N.B. Out of respect for the Muslim prohibition on reproducing the human likeness Hassan doesn't appear in the mosque).

Persona dolls are a great way to introduce young children to ideas like other religions. Elizabeth is a Christian persona doll. Downloadable here is a series of sessions designed for use with a persona doll to explore Christianity through special times (Baptism, Christmas, Easter, Harvest, prayer) special places (nature/creation, church), special books (the Bible) and special people (Jesus). Also available here is a PowerPoint presentation of Elizabeth's church.

Early Years RE - Persona Dolls

Many teachers speak of the power of having familiar persona dolls in the classroom and the imaginative way in which young children can exercise their curiosity about difference. They can ask the doll questions and become familiar with her/his beliefs which provides an excellent start for RE.

Newly christened The Post announced today (April 19) that actress Prunella Scales will be awarding prizes on June 20 for the Bristol schools competition Celebrating Prayer in England. The competition celebrates the Book of Common Prayer and its 350th anniversary this year.

NEW LESSON PLANS DOWNLOAD: 6 lesson plans to cover KS2 Unit 9: How should we live and who can inspire us? for the Awareness, Mystery and Value scheme of work (as used by Bristol LA, North Somerset LA and BANES LA).

This term's newsletter from Director Jackie Waters-Dewhurst features updates on Academies, the Resource Centre, training courses and prayer for schools.

You can download it from the link below.

Spiritual Development - a key issue of the moment

"Inspectors also evaluate how well the school promotes the pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development."
Ofsted Framework 2012, paragraph 40

Getting to grips with AT2 to raise attainment in RE

Dilwyn Hunt

Dilwyn was, until recently, the RE Adviser in Dudley and now works as an Independent Consultant.  He has published books on the theory of RE and RE text books introducing children to philosophy and religion.  He is currently working on new materials.  He is a member on the Executive of the Association of RE Inspectors, Advisers and Consultants (AREIAC).

Assessment for Learning in RE KS3 + KS4

Esther Messinger
Julian Selman
Leah Osborne

Esther Messinger: "I recently began teaching at Bristol Cathedral Choir after leaving my position as Head of RE at Fairfield High. I moved to take on the opportunity of teaching A level Philosophy and Ethics and experience a totally different sort of school. I am in my 6th year of teaching and I am still thoroughly enjoying the challenge!"

Julian Selman is Head of the RE Department at Marlwood Community School in South Gloucestershire and he co-ordinates the Best Practice forum in the county.

Leah Osborne: "I am Head of Religious Studies and Leader of the Year 7 Project Based Learning curriculum at King’s Oak Academy.  I trained as an infant teacher in 2001 and moved to teaching secondary in 2005.  I love teaching; I think it’s a privilege to be around children learning."