Teaching our children values | Cynthia Harper & Sarah Green | TEDxStMarysUniversityTwickenham

The question is whether actively promoting British Values means challenging opinions or behaviours in school. RE lessons can offer a structured and safe space during curriculum time for reflection, discussion, dialogue and debate. Excellent teaching of RE will enable pupils to learn to think for themselves about British values. This relates to the ideas around the Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC) development of children. The aim of this talk is to consider British Values from a pedagogical perspective using experience from working in schools, current documentation and ideas for the future. How does RE in our Primary schools promote the FBV? What do we think are FBV? Do these need updating? Are these values universal? Is tolerance a good word? Is it the responsibility of RE to teach them and if so, why is it not a core subject? How does SMSC understanding develop in schools and is this the responsibility of RE? What skills and attitudes should be developed to address FBV and SMSC?
‘Is it the job of schools to teach our children values?’
5:45 pm - 6:15 pm
Cynthia Harper will ask whether actively promoting Fundamental British Values (FBV) means challenging opinions or behaviours in school. Excellent teaching of RE will enable pupils to learn to think for themselves about British values and ideas around the Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC) development of children. Cynthia's talk will ask: how does RE in our Primary schools promote FBV? What are FBVs? Do these need updating? Are these values universal and Is it the responsibility of RE to teach them?
Cynthia is a Senior Lecturer in Primary Religious Education and the PGCE MA. She delivers modules across the undergraduate, postgraduate and work based route programmes and has achieved a prestigious Millennium Fellowship for Religious Education from the Farmington Institute in 2000.
Sarah Green will be presenting with Cynthia Harper on ‘Is it the job of schools to teach our children values?’ 5:45 pm - 6:15 pm
She is Senior Lecturer in Primary Religious education and has a wide range of experience teaching in schools and online from nursery to teaching KS2. She has worked as a Primary School teacher for twenty-four years in both Catholic and Community Schools. She co-ordinated RE, Maths, Physical Education and all key stages. Sarah was a Deputy Head Teacher for eight years during which time she mentored NQTS and managed professional development of both teachers and teaching assistants.
Sarah has a particular interest in educating children (and parents) about each other’s faiths and worldviews breaking down stereotypes and building up community cohesion. She is passionate about raising the profile of Religious Education in Primary schools. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx