Religious Education at Woodstock

Since I was a little girl religious and philosophical questions have interested me and I was blessed in having teachers who took my questions seriously. My father also prayed with me very night before going to sleep. Maybe these influences are what led me to become a teacher of religious studies myself. I find that I am not alone in my early search for meaning and purpose in life as some of these "Children's letters to God" show (cite reference). To engage with children and older students in discussing the issues these children's questions highlight has been my privilege for the last thirty years and I am still learning alongside my students.

Palmer J Parker in his book "Education as a Spiritual Journey" has recently articulated to me what I have long felt in my heart - that we should be educating our children spiritually - and he offers practical ideas for doing this. Palmer talks of the experience of the desert fathers seeking wisdom in quiet places and of one father, Abba Felix, who refused to teach his pupils as they were not making any progress in the way they treated each other. They were so mortified and respected him so much that they begged him to teach them and that they would be more responsive. If only we as teachers today would be such wise role models, and that our students would be so desirous to put their learning into practice.

In this feature, we have included reflections from three of the Religious Studies teachers about their work. I hope you gain a flavour of what it feels like to be studying RE in Woodstock today.

Someone once said, "Tread softly, for you tread on my dreams". This is especially true in RE, and even more so in Woodstock, where the world comes to us. RE lessons provide a space where students feel able to question and open themselves up to great possibilities. For that to happen there needs to be a community of trust in the classroom. We have a wonderful chance to help our students become spiritually mature citizens of the 21st century. Can there be a greater privilege?

Dot Wildman, Head of Religious Education