I have copied the article from Independent and the letter from The Telegraph mentioned in a recent thread, adding some of the best submissions etc. I've highlighted important bits. Do keep up the pressure and forward these to Mr Gove, to your MP to chase Mr Gove with + anyone you know who may be willing to do the same, I think this time is really critical and a lot of people will be like me, up to the neck with other duties, so its hard to fit in the time. Good Luck and happy summer

More reports submitted to parliament for the Ebacc Review. I have stated the number of pages in the documents and my impression of the quality of the argument regarding the position of RE in the English Bacc - as part of the file names. This section is a continuation of the previous resource as only 20 documents can be uploaded within one resource. As always I request that you give comments, feedback and ratings to guide me when producing resources and help others who may be interested in this resource.

All the details from the Festival website - but in larger font - easier to read. All the 150 speakers + general info Timetable and blog. sounds interesting!

I'm sharing this to give others who want to write some ideas. I have tried to cover as much as I can here - in my original letter of 28th May - which is probably too much - but others may like to take some of the points to use in their letters. Still no answer about RE and the Bacc so I'll continue to share any correspondence resulting from this email the MPs 'campaign.' It may be of interest to post 16 / KS4 Citizenship and RE Thanks DurgaMata

I aim to list of all the MP's and members of the House of Lords - with their contact details. I have just found a couple of good lists on internet so I am uploading info about these too. Contact details added for all the A - G surnames so far - more to follow I’ve uploaded a copy of my email and am adding any replies and correspondence from this as a separate resource.

I am uploading it for other RE teachers to share and perhaps discuss. The email is mostly about the importance of RE and the English Bacc but covers some other subjects too, I feel passionately concerned about the current threat to RE posed by its exclusion from the English Bacc so I am happy for others in Management and Governors etc to read this. And please never give up the fight.

My approach aims to be practical and experimental. students who can be hostile towards other religions because of an atheist mentality are quite interested in Buddhism because it is such a practical faith which does not require belief in God. Buddha spoke of Truth and Nirvana. Many Hindus interpret this as God in the abstract form of qualities such as Truth, Peace and Bliss. I will add to the files in this folder

Great resources which you can adapt for any age. Power Point Slide Show has over 80 slides and covers many topics. Save with different headings then delete slides to give many shorter slide shows - and show with music. Stories are versions of traditional stories about episodes in the lives of deities or the Ramayana and Mahabarata. Over a week’s work in these - and I’ll add to them. Don’t forget to give ratings and comments/feedback to help others find what they need. Contact if you would like a workshop - info@bluelotus.co

Here are some reports and articles which relate to the danger RE is facing. This is relevant to everyone who has a voice in managing a school or planning the curriculum. If RE is undermined then the quality of spiritual, moral, social and cultural education is under threat. Without good RE, our whole society becomes more intolerant, prejudiced, divided and dangerous. RE must keep its position as a core Humanities subject with Geography and History. We all need to work together to defend the position of RE. Contact me (PM) if you have related articles/reports and I will attach them.

Sue is an inspirational RE teacher who has found creative approaches to engage her students. Many of these are based on visualisation and role-play. They are all creative and deeply spiritual. I can not recommend them too highly. The attached information is just an introduction. If you can arrange to attend a workshop - or if you have done so in the past, you will know what I mean. BRILLIANT. Please add a comment if you have experience of Sue's work

A sweeping reflection on life which explores and celebrates the beauty and mystery of of our planet, introducing a range of concepts from different religions and world views. In art and music it may stimulate composition. The origins are in RE where the poem emerged from my struggle to get year 10 to engage with the question of God in a serious way - it was movingly effective - but I want to include the questions of suffering and evil and still struggle with this, to keep it a poem and not a book! I hope to publish eventually but do use it as a basis for discussion or creative response.

The first file here tells the story of Jim Jones and his Temple which ended up in Guyana, with over 900 people dead. The second file is an excellent article about why RE is important. Next, The Nature of Love, can be used as a GCSE/post 16 revision aid. I include it here as it relates to what I have written about engaging students in the 4th file. The fourth file is an example of the way that good RE really can make a difference. Happy Christmas everyone.

This is a resource for all my great colleagues - to explore practical strategies that we can use to make our lives stronger and more peaceful. The idea behind this is that if we can become spiritually stronger and more peaceful that will impact on our students, classes, colleagues and schools - to say nothing of its effect on our families and our own happiness. So I am asking you all to send me your own favourite 'weapons for peace' which we all can share and benefit from. As always please give feedback and a rating.

...taking part in a forum discussion with the tile Poor behaviour = poor teaching - or is it vice versa? ... inspired to look for good articles - I particularly like the ten points and 'The truth is, behaviour in schools is a complex issue that needs co-operation between classroom teachers, school managers, parents, outside agencies... and the pupils themselves to make it better.- Not solve the problem, just make it better. There is no quick fix or magical solution. Only if the Leadership Team supports the staff, can poor behaviour be changed,

The most popular song from the CD All Shall Be Well by Jill Blackadder - my sister who is a Primary teacher in the Shetland Islands. for the CD and sheet music contact 'Jill Slee Blackadder' <Jill.blackadder@btinternet.com>, You can find a 'taster&' of this song and others on another resource on prev. page - http://www.tes.co.uk/ResourceUpload.aspx?storycode=6058026&navcode=98 This is a truly inspiring and very soulful song for all ages. It celebrates our world where the beauty is in the diversity. Great as a stimulus for art-work, too.

Here are the lyrics of another of Jill's songs from the aforementioned CD. I have used this a lot in teaching KS3 and KS4, it is funny and direct - engaging but very serious and quite soulful too. Please appreciate that my sister Jill has given me permission to share her songs - but only part of them. If she sees too many people downloading them free from here she may ask me to include only the first few lines of the music. She had to payva lot to get the recordings done. Once costs are covered all profits will go to charity. Contact - info@bluelotus.co (it is .co - not .com)

This Power Point slide show combines images and texts to encourage thought, reflection and discussion about important issues including evolution, family and relationship, peace and conflict, poverty and homelessness, global warming, disability, courage and hope.. It has evolved from the earlier slide-shows but this file is designed for use with GCSE, and older classes. There are images which could distress younger students - It's good for upper school assemblies I hope you enjoy this resource and find it valuable.

This is my favourite of all my sisters songs - and one of the earliest. She composed it at Christmas, in Bethlehem, in 1967 - where tourists pushed and shoved to get to the 'spot where Jesus was born&' and haggled over souvenirs - while snow fell on freezing streets and soldiers arrested her black African colleague and interrogated him three times that day. It is a powerful and moving meditation on the real meaning of Christmas. For the CD &';All Shall Be Well' original songs of peace, of winter and of Christmas, contact - 'Jill Slee Blackadder' <Jill.blackadder@btinternet.com>,

All songs from CD 'All Is Well' by Jill Blackadder, Shetland Primary teacher. For CD and Sheet Music Email 'Jill Slee Blackadder' <Jill.blackadder@btinternet.com>, Christmas Spell uses the letters in the word Christmas to explore its theme, Peerie Doo (Little Dove in &'Shetlandese&';) is a counting song about the nativity. In 'Wha&'s faa&';n asleep by the Christmas Tree?' a family prepare for Christmas. These songs are sung by Shetland children and great with Primary + encourage discussion with older students.

Songs by teacher Jill Blackadder - sheet music and CD from 'Jill Slee Blackadder' <Jill.blackadder@btinternet.com>, The song I've used most in RE here is &'It&';s Christmas, get cracking' which is a great and humorous way of introducing an exploration of the tensions between our pagan &'yule&'; festival of feasting and indulgence which celebrates the return of the physical sun - lengthening days and hopes of spring to come - in mid-winter and the Christian celebration of the arrival of the Son, the spiritual sun or Light of the World.