A GCSE or A-level lesson exploring four pro-choice arguments for abortion; personhood, women's rights, self-defence and the double effect doctrine. Students are asked to investigate and then respond to these arguments in terms of their moral and ethical value. This is a peer-teach lesson where students are split into groups and carousel from teacher to teacher to gather content. I usually pick the most able students as peer teachers and the whole class enjoys a 'day off' from their normal teacher.

An introduction to the moral issues of abortion and euthanasia for KS3 based around the concept of P4C (philosophy for children) with a very learner centered approach. This works excellently as a 'no-pen lesson' to support literacy. Students are asked to respond to questions such as; what is the value of human life? who has the right to decide between life or death? what might be arguments for and against abortion and euthanasia? I find this works best with the use of contribution tokens (maths counters work very well) where each student is given a set number of tokens at the start of the lesson and has to pay a token for each contribution.

A lesson suitable for GCSE or A-level to introduce John Stuart Mill's development of Jeremy Bentham's concept of Utilitarianism. Introduces 'Rule Utilitarianism' as well as the notions of higher and lower pleasure and allows students to compare the 'Principle of Utility' with the 'Greatest Happiness Principle'.

A lesson suitable for GCSE or A-level as an introduction the Jeremy Bentham's Hedonic Calculus in moral decision making. Introduces the concept of calculating pleasure through a number of daily routines which will make it easier for students to get to grip with each of the 7 factors in the calculus, before going on to applying them to moral dilemmas. Students then have a chance to assess the benefits and drawbacks of the Hedonic Calculus in writing. A scrabble themed plenary adds some literacy and a competitive element to the lesson.

A lesson suitable for GCSE or A-level to introduce Jeremy Bentham's Act Utilitarianism. The main focus is on Bentham's 'Principle or Utility' and how it can be applied to moral decision making. The lesson gives a comprehensive introduction to action based Utilitarianism and includes several moral dilemmas for students to apply to the theory. The main task gives students a range of essay based questions to choose from to argue either in favour or against the 'Principle of Utility'.

A lesson suitable for GCSE or A-level Philosophy and Ethics to introduce Jeremy Bentham and his concept of Hedonism in moral decision making. Includes an introduction to the notions of Teleology, Utility and happiness in Utilitarian morality. Includes a 'peer teach' activity which always goes down extremely well with students - I usually choose the most able students in a class to become 'teachers' and ask them to relate the information to the rest of the class in groups, which then rotate from teacher to teacher every few minutes. (NOTE: at GCSE this PPT will take 2 lessons of 60 minutes, whereas A-level students normally manage in 1). There are also 3 moral dilemmas for students to apply Bentham's ideas to which engages even the most dis-disillusioned students.

A visual and creative lesson which can be adapted to suit all abilities and all Key Stages, but is especially effective at GCSE level. Focusing on the symbolism of the Hindu Deity Ganesha and how he links to the overall concept of Brahman in Hinduism. Includes a brilliant video that explores the different aspects of Brahman as well as an opportunity for students to be creative and draw and colour their own Ganesha template (lower ability) as well as to analyse the symbolism of Ganesha in more depth (higher ability). The main task allows students to explore Hindu Deities through De Bono's hats, which is a great differentiation tool.

A lesson exploring the relationship between the Tri-Murti and Brahman in Hinduism focusing on the characteristics of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva in relation to Brahma as a whole. Suitable for all Key Stages - but especially effective at GCSE or A-level. Video clip to play in conjunction with slide 4 - what is a mum?.

A GCSE or A-level lesson focusing on the nature of Brahman in Hinduism based on sources of wisdom and authority from the Puranas, Upanishads and Vedas. A creative main task for students to compose their own hymn to Brahman.

A GCSE or A-level lesson introducing the Hindu deity Brahman and the concept of unity under one God. Includes a visual starter for students to analyse pictures of Hindu deities to understand Brahman's characteristics through symbolism. Main task focuses on the use of sources of wisdom and authority from the Upanishads. Students then get a chance to be creative and practice their persuasive writing by creating a 'letter of application' from Brahman's perspective for the position of God.

An introductory lesson to morality and ethics revolving around 5 contentious moral issues, which students are asked to respond to through discussion. A very engaging lesson that motivates all students to participate and promotes debating skills. In my experience, this works best when students can discuss each issue in groups before feeding back to the class and allowing different groups to go into short 'head-to-head' debates. Alternatively, this works very well in a P4C format, where each student is given a set amount of contribution tokens for the lesson and has to 'pay' for every contribution and can then no longer contribute when they are out of tokens. This really forces students to consider when to put forward their view.

A quiz about Hinduism with 5 rounds of 6 questions each, covering; history, religion, culture, worship and deities. A fantastic visual and competitive revision tool for all Key Stages covering the main aspects of the religion to engage and stimulate all learners. Can also be used as a refresher activity or an introduction to the topic. With KS3 this should take a full 60 minute lesson. With KS4 and KS5 plan for 20-30 minutes max.

Excellent revision tool to use with GCSE and A-level students to stretch them in their written work and improve paragraph fluency, particularly in Humanities subjects.

NEW GCSE Edexcel RS specification on Matters of Life and Death. A lesson inspired by philosophical enquiry and focusing on the Humanist response to belief in life after death. An excellent lesson to get students thinking about 'life after death' in general and therefore suitable as a KS3 lesson on 'big questions' as well as for KS4 on non religious arguments against belief in life after death, or alternatively as a revision lesson for KS5. A very student centred lesson with plenty of opportunities for independent enquiry and team work as well as active participation.

NEW GCSE Edexcel RS specification on Matters of Life and Death. Lesson focusing on sources of wisdom and authority from Christianity concerning attitudes to and belief in life after death. The main task is a practice GCSE question following the new specification requirements with a broken down student-friendly mark scheme for self- or peer-assessment. Plenary includes a plenary wheel with eight possible plenaries which always goes down really well with students.

NEW GCSE Edexcel RS specification covering Matters of Life and Death. A lesson based on an investigation of near-death experiences, paranormal activity and reincarnation as non-religious beliefs in life after death. The main focus of the lesson is through visual learning with three video clips to guide students through each factor behind life after death. A creative main task gives students the opportunity to write a fictional first person account using one of the factors. If watching all video clips in full this lesson will take two sessions to complete.

Introduction to Christian denominations focusing on a comparison of conformist and non-conformist groups. Great as an introductory lesson for KS3 with the opportunity of a very creative lesson. Alternatively suitable for use as a GCSE lesson for students to form a fuller understanding of divergent Christian views. Also relevant as a KS5 revision lesson. Focusing on the Protestant and Catholic divide as well as introducing several non-conformist denominations including Quakers, Baptists, Presbyterians, Evangelicals and Church of England. Worksheet goes through some core beliefs so that students can pick out differences between each group.

NEW GCSE Edexcel RS specification. A lesson focusing on Christian attitudes to prejudice and discrimination, leading into a discussion on divergent Christian denominations and their views on women playing a leading role in the Church. There is a practice exam question built in at the end of the lesson for students to examine both sides of the argument for women as Church leaders.

NEW GCSE Edexcel RS specification. A lesson focusing on the use of sources of wisdom and authority to explain the role of women in the Christian family with divergent Christian views including a video clip about how men and women should divide work and family life.

NEW GCSE RS specification following the Edexcel curriculum. This lesson focuses on the ethical theories of Situation Ethics and Natural Law and how they can be applied to the moral issue of family planning as it appears in Christianity. A brief introduction to both Situation Ethics and Natural Law is followed by an opportunity for students to apply core principles of both theories to the issue of family planning. NOTE: This is a follow-on lesson based on previous student knowledge of family planning and Christian views and attitudes to this issue. Alternatively, it can work as a free-standing introduction to Situation Ethics and Natural Law.