Materials used in schools to teach world religions

This project was undertaken by WRERU on behalf of the Department for Children Schools and Families (DCSF). The starting point was an acknowledgement of the commitment made in all sectors of school education (maintained, independent, voluntary aided, academies) to the promotion of community cohesion, and tolerance and harmony between different cultural traditions. The project intended to build on this by working with schools across England to find out what materials were available for use in religious education classes, and to assess their potential for creating greater understanding of religion, beliefs and religious diversity in a plural society. It brought together for the first time perspectives on, and experiences of, religious education from maintained schools, independent schools and schools with a religious character. The project used both quantitative and qualitative methods and was divided into three inter-related strands: a review of materials available; a quantitative Survey of materials used in schools; qualitative case studies in 10 primary and 10 secondary schools, selected from maintained and independent schools of all types, in order to provide more detailed information on the use and reception of materials in the classroom and examples of good practice. Also available are the appendices to the report (http://publications.dcsf.gov.uk/default.aspx?PageFunction=productdetails&PageMode=publications&ProductId=DCSF-RR197A& ) and an audit of books published since 2000 and a listing of selected electronic resources will be out at the end of March 2010.