Islam in the RE Classroom

A movement away from reified representations of Islam can create spaces to engage with the aesthetic, artistic, mystical and poetic expressions of faith over time and geography. The lived manifestations of Islam are a mosaic, one comprising a multitude of interpretations, traditions, spaces, and practices. This approach to engaging with religion promotes critical engagement with traditions and invites curiosity and creativity on the part of teachers and students.

Adopting a nuanced approach that takes into account cultural differences, this CPD will provide the much-needed stimulus to the critical discussion of Islam in a RE classroom. Intending to bridge the gap between theoretical discussion and the professional practice of RE teachers in the classroom, this conference employs a comprehensive approach whereby teachers gain an in-depth understanding of the approaches to the study of Islam and pedagogical tools and relevant resources.

The mode of engagement will be workshops and interactive sessions that will be delivered face-to-face. Teachers will be engaged in interactive workshops where they can experience pedagogical content knowledge, engage with best practices in RE classrooms, and explore relevant classroom resources.

CPD will be targeted towards KS1/KS2/KS3 mainstream school teachers who would like to learn about RE in general and Islam in particular. We also encourage RE Subject Leaders, PGCE RE trainee teachers and other educators who support RE at their schools.