Religious education in the UK is a prime subject in secular schools, as well as church schools. Christian beliefs, doctrines and rituals are central, but teaching about other religions is also part of the syllabus, as well as reference to not having a religion at all. And some schools are allowed to teach other religions as their prime object – Judaism, Islam, Hinduism being examples.
The teaching of Religious Education can benefit from a variety of different experiences outside the classroom. Each religion has its own traditions and schools will have their own needs and wants in terms of relating each religion to the other. Teachers should be aware that religion and particularly places of worship can be sensitive and taking a large group of noisy children into such an environment will take plenty of forethought and planning.
Some ideas and tips for planning such trips include...
Before you go:
Make initial contact: find out if you can visit and when is the best time – both for you and the faith community concerned.
Preliminary visit: Try to visit the faith community yourself to explore learning opportunities and to discuss your needs with the person who will be involved in the visit. Share with him/her what you hope pupils will get out of the visit. Clearly planned aims help to fit the visit into a scheme of work. A general ‘look around’ is the least likely activity to be successful. If possible try to arrange for the pupils to meet some believers other than the ordained leaders. Talk about how long you will stay. As a rule of thumb, under an hour is usually too short to make the most of the learning opportunity.
Get parental permission: Schools should send a letter home with each pupil to make clear that this is an educational visit and that pupils will observe, not participate, in worship. Invite parents and other adults to help out on the visit.
Prepare pupils: It is likely to be a completely new situation for them. Provide guidance about appropriate attitudes and any dress requirements such as removing shoes, covering heads. Encourage pupils to ask and respond to questions during the visit. Talk over, in advance, questions they may wish to ask during the visit. Identify ways in which the visit will be followed up back in the classroom.
Some key points to remember when visiting faith communities:
Photographs: many places of worship will allow photographs to be taken at the appropriate time but prior permission should be sought.
Behaviour: normal good behaviour standards are appropriate. In all places of worship it would be disrespectful to chew, talk loudly, run around or touch things without invitation. In places where sitting on a carpeted floor is usual, it is disrespectful to sit with legs open facing the focal point e.g. a deity, a holy book, Qibla wall etc.
Hospitality: a number of places of worship will show hospitality to visitors by offering food or refreshment. It is important to prepare pupils for this: Hindu: prashad – this may take the form of crystal sugar, almonds, sweets or snack food. It is not sacred and should be accepted with thanks and eaten on the spot. Gurdwara: Kara prashad – a semi-solid cold food made from butter, semolina, sugar and milk, or a cup of tea boiled with milk. This is not a sacred food and should be accepted with thanks. Kara prashad can be kept for eating later.
It is possible to arrange visits to local churches, chapels, mosques, temples and synagogues. Most of the cathedrals have education or visitor centres and resources for schools which can be viewed on their websites.
Main organisations:
The Religious Education Council
National Association of Teachers of Religious Education
Inclusion: NASEN
Thought of visiting?
A Neolithic chambered tomb with an enigmatic 'false entrance'.
This barrow, also known as Rodmarton Long Barrow, is of early Neolithic date (4000–3500 BC).
It seems that the site was used for burials well after the Neolithic period as Roman pottery and coins of Claudius Gothicus (AD 168–70) have been found.
Three fine late Neolithic or early Bronze Age stone circles arranged in a line, a grouping unique in England.
Probably the best examples of ceremonial circles in the south west, they are traditionally reputed to be the remains of men petrified for playing 'hurling' on a Sunday.
Please note: Parking is quarter of a mile walk away.
The remains of a Bronze Age settlement, side by side with several sacred sites, including three stone rows, a stone circle, standing stones and burial cairns, probably constructed over a long period between c. 2500 BC and 1000 BC.
The Chapter of Guildford Cathedral welcome school children of all ages and backgrounds to learn about this modern centre of Christian worship.
Come and explore the last Anglican Cathedral consecrated on a new site, in 1961. Guildford Cathedral’s Schools’ Department is dedicated to making your visit memorable, experiential and educational.
How can we help?
Saint Paul's Cathedral is a cathedral church on the island of St Helena and is part of the Diocese of St Helena. It is located approximately 2 miles south of Jamestown in the district of St Paul's.
The Metropolitan Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption (or St Mary's Cathedral) is a Roman Catholic church located in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Soaring above the surrounding rooftops, Truro Cathedral is located at the heart of this thriving Cornish city and wonderfully situated in the middle of the Royal Duchy of Cornwall.
We are a vibrant Parish proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ through Witness, Worship + Service, brimming full of heritage and history, and surrounded by incredibly beautiful countryside. Killarney is famed throughout the world for its scenic treasures! With its stunning mountain range and lakes, it is known as beauty’s home.
Cathedral of Christ the King is a Roman Catholic Cathedral located in the Irish town of Mullingar.
However you approach Letterkenny – from Derry in the east, Gweedore and Glenties in the west, Fanad and Falcarragh in the north or Donegal and Ballybofey in the south – the tall spire of St. Eunan’s Cathedral greets you.
The Cathedral Church of St. Fachtna in the beautiful West Cork town of Rosscarbery stands on a site where Christian worship has been offered for over 1400 years. Here St. Fachtna founded a monastic school in AD 590. Pilgrims and scholars came from near and far and gained for Ross the title "Ross Ailithir" - the wooded headland of the pilgrims.
Dating from 1809 and re-designed in 1839 by renowned architect A.W.Pugin, St Aidan's Cathedral is rich in the history of the region.
The cathedral stands high on the town-land of Latlurcan, visible on all main roads approaching Monaghan town. Monaghan became a cathedral town in the mid 1800's and the plan for a cathedral in Monaghan proposed by Bishop Charles MacNally was accepted on 3rd January 1858.
The cathedral is one of Ireland's most important, yet understated, ecclesiastical sites. It is also Carlow's oldest working building. Nestling in the village of Old Leighlin, the Saint Laserian's is for many an undiscovered gem.
Saint Patrick’s Cathedral is the perfect destination for a school tour. With a history dating from the Norman construction of the Cathedral up to the present day, a visit is a fascinating look inside a Medieval Building in daily use.
Welcome to Lisburn Cathedral, where we are building a 21st century community in a beautiful and historic building, that celebrates the God who is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow!
St. Mary’s Cathedral dominates the landscape of Kilkenny, its great tower being visible from all approaches to the city. It stands as a reminder of the faith and growing confidence of a far off generation – a reminder and much more than a reminder.
Scripture Union is an international mission movement that was founded over 140 years ago. We work in over 120 countries making God's good news known to children, young people and families and encouraging people of all ages to meet God daily through the Bible and prayer
A partly reconstructed Neolithic chambered mound, 37 metres (120 ft) long, atmospherically sited overlooking the Severn Valley. 'Hetty Pegler' was its 17th century landowner.
The Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing is a war memorial in Ypres, Belgium, dedicated to over 54,000 British and Commonwealth soldiers who were killed in the Ypres salient in World War I and whose graves are unknown. The memorial is located at the eastern exit of the town and marks the starting point for one of the main roads out of the town that led Allied soldiers to the front line.
Experience RE out of the classroom
Chelmsford Cathedral is a beautiful house of prayer and a unique educational resource. The light, joyous and colourful atmosphere together with the varied, contemporary works-of-art, enable it to be explored in many ways.
What do we offer schools?
Portsmouth Cathedral welcomes visitors for services, tours or simply a wander around.
The Cathedral is normally open to the public from 10am on weekdays and from after morning prayer on Saturday and between services on Sundays. The Cathedral closes after Evensong or Evening Prayer each day.
Boscobel House and its Royal Oak tree became famous as hiding places of King Charles II after defeat at the Battle of Worcester in 1651. Visitors can also see the dairy, farmyard, smithy and gardens.
One of the finest accessible examples of a Neolithic chambered tomb, with its multiple burial chambers open to view. Stoney Littleton is a chambered long barrow built during the Neolithic period (roughly 4000– 2500 BC).
Although this is the third largest collection of prehistoric standing stones in England, the three circles and three-stone 'cove' of Stanton Drew are surprisingly little-known. Recent surveys have revealed that they were only part of a much more elaborate ritual site.
The Bushcraft Company offer residential school trips with a difference, taking students into the wild and giving them real back-to-nature experiences they will never forget.
A 15-year-old boy fell 60ft over the edge of a cliff whilst on a geography school trip, miraculously only suffering minor injuries.