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Humanism
and Education This
section of our website contains resources for teachers and students. Several
members of our group visit schools in South Cheshire and North Staffordshire to
speak about Humanism. Tricia Budd represents Humanism on Staffordshire's SACRE
(Standing Advisory Committee on Religious Education). She has written three children's
story books, the Rosie Stories,
which sensitively introduce humanist baby naming, weddings and funerals. In
2006 Sue Willson received an award for her work in Staffordshire schools. Click
to see Sue's certificate...  |
Arguments
for including Humanism in Religious Education: - Many
pupils come from non-religious backgrounds or have no religious beliefs themselves
(61% of 13-15 year olds are atheist or agnostic according to one survey). They
will find much in Humanism that is of personal significance, and which will contribute
to their moral and spiritual development and search for identity, meaning and
purpose in life (what Scottish syllabuses call "personal search".
- Pupils
who have religious beliefs need to learn about Humanism as a world view they will
encounter outside their communities and school. Pupils should learn that atheists
too can have an ethical worldview. (We still encounter students - and adults -
who, after years of RE, are surprised to learn that atheists can be moral or have
ideals!)
- To
teach about Humanism is not the same as turning children into humanists. RE teachers
know this, of course, but many others seem to think differently (and not just
about Humanism). Humanist pupils report finding learning about "other people's
beliefs" interesting, but often wonder why that interest is not reciprocated.
- The
study of Humanism can offer an interesting, and sometimes challenging, balance
to the study of religion. It can contribute to thinking skills and creativity.
- Many
of RE's problems (including teacher recruitment, the declining interest amongst
adolescent learners, Ofsted concerns about standards) could be alleviated by making
it a more inclusive and stimulating subject. Humanism alone can't do that, of
course, but it can contribute.
- There
is also a human rights argument for including Humanism: existing education legislation,
which mentions only religion, should now be interpreted in the light of the Human
Rights Act which prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion or belief.
Source:
The British Humanist Association (BHA) A
useful section with advice for teachers on how to include a Humanist perspective
in mainstream religion can be found on the BHA
website.
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RESOURCES FOR TEACHERS
and PARENTS
RE
National Framework 2004 Order
the "Rosie Series"
of Children's Books
NEW! School
visits by a humanist "What
is Humanism?" Worksheet Staffordshire
LEA SACRE British
Humanist Association Website for Teachers Humanism
on the web Poetry
and Writing PowerPoint
Presentations Inspirational
texts |
