NATRE working with
Culham St Gabriels Trust
The North of England RE Conference
Inspiring RE
158 teacher delegates,
18-19 May 2013
Teachers gathered in large
numbers in Bolton in May
for the NATRE CSGT North
of England RE conference.
“All sessions were useful. Gave me time to have professional dialogue with
colleagues- Time to challenge my thinking and reflect on what learning
means for me personally and in my school. All so useful and thoughtprovoking”
Verity Stobart, Christ the Sower Primary
“I loved the sense of confederacy amongst the many delegates from all
sectors of education....The stimulus to think philosophically and
pragmatically”
Janice Nickson, Yarm School
“Totally absorbing! The chance to immerse myself fully in everything RE;
consultant talks, seminars, resource swap shop, visual art and clothes,
meeting RE teachers...”
Frances Burton, RE Special School
“I loved everything, particularly meeting people, RE is generally isolating. I
have loads of ideas to implement but also lots to think about. Infectious
enthusiasm and sharing, quality leaders and speakers....so well organised
Eileen Roger Higher Lane Primary Bury
“The event has been amazing experience. I have learn heaps, been given
great ideas to use and loads of ideas to integrate into everyday teaching I
think personally I will become a better teacher- not just of RE”
Teachers deserve a good venue if they
give up a Saturday. The Last Drop
Mercure Hotel did us proud, and was
very pleasant.
The conference attracted 158
delegates, so the biggest rooms
were needed. 6 seminars in each
slot.
Teachers were very impressed to be part of
such a large professional event, and seemed to
gain strength and inspiration from it.
It is also good to provide
pleasant leisure facilities –
the Last Drop has a lovely
pool and spa.
Teachers enjoyed the
infinity pool!
Stephen Pett presented ideas about RE’s contribution
to pupils’ wellbeing and happiness. The idea was that
if a school is a happiness factory, then RE contributes
to the manufacturing!
The REC sponsored walks programme
was also part of the conference, with
4 of the leaders raising over £500
walking the West Pennine Moors
The Hotel was right on the
edge of Bolton,
overlooking the West
Pennine Moors
Teachers relaxed quickly
into our programme of 24
seminar options.
We had a fine lecture programme for the whole conference
from HMI, on religious understanding and on religion,
wellbeing and happiness.
Teachers enjoyed good
food as well.
Seminar leaders presented material
about RE online, and special needs,
gifted and talented work and RE for all.
Geoff Teece and Karen
Walshe presented recent
research
Teachers loved practical
seminars, including this
one on dance in RE!
Leaders were encouraged to be completely
available to delegates. A lot of the inspiration of
the conference happened between sessions.
To eat, meet, and think together was a
rare benefit for many of these hard
pressed teachers.
Teachers also valued the
chance to see and buy
excellent RE resources
Teachers bought over
£3000 worth of RE today
materials.
Ed Pawson, NATRE chair, hosted the conference with several NATRE
executive members involved in delivering seminars. This was a
feature the delegates particularly valued, for its grass roots
practicality
Our seminar leaders encouraged active and engaging
pedagogy in particular. We selected top practitioners who
have much to share
“Sessions were excellent. A good mixture of practical ideas and thoughtful
talks about the purpose and value of Religious Studies”
Andrew Priory
“The event has been an amazing experience. I have learnt heaps, been given
great ideas to use and loads of ideas to integrate into my actual teaching.”
Shaira Kauser MA institute
“I loved the joy of spending time devoted to RE...the experts were amazing
and inspirational”
Lynne Greenhow Longfield Academy
“I loved everything, particularly meeting people, RE is generally isolating. I
have loads of ideas to implement but also lots to think about. Infectious
enthusiasm and sharing, quality leaders and speakers... so well organised
Eileen Roger Higher Lane Primary Bury
“I came to the conference feeling very flat and within an hour I had
remembered why I wanted to teach RE”
Margaret Fenton Wilmslow Prep School
“Such an enjoyable weekend. Venue was excellent with excellent food, service
and facilities. The seminars were so helpful, I have gained so many ideas that I
cannot wait to implement when I get back to school. It was fabulous to have
such experienced, well known speakers to pass on their knowledge. Excellent
resources from speakers and everything has been so well organised”
Vicky Yarnell Alumwell infant School Walsall
NATRE would like to thank CSGT for supporting the North of
England RE conference: 78% of delegates said it was
excellent, and 21% graded it good.