Bexley schools are seeking speakers to enhance religious education (RE) by inviting individuals from diverse backgrounds to share their perspectives with students.
To facilitate this, Rizwana Rehman is compiling a list of school visits and speakers in the borough, which will be distributed at the start of the new academic year. This list aims to support schools in incorporating diverse perspectives into their RE curriculum.
The Bexley Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) convened on Wednesday, 9 July 2025, to address local and national updates on religious education. One key focus was identifying local speakers for school visits, aiming to enrich students' learning experiences.
According to the Public Reports Pack, primary schools have expressed a continued interest in hosting guest speakers. The council recognised the value of establishing a local network of speakers who can visit various schools, offering insights into different faiths and beliefs. Rizwana Rehman and Joan Woodham are working to support this initiative.
It would be great if Bexley could have its own bank of speakers to go to different local schools,
the Public Reports Pack stated, highlighting the need for a readily available resource for educators.
In March, Rizwana Rehman and Joan Woodham provided local and national updates to the SACRE. Ms. Rehman informed the board that primary schools are still requesting for speakers to come and visit schools. She explained that there was a website which had some accredited speakers from different faiths, however it would be great if Bexley could have their own bank of speakers to go to different local schools. She added that this also refers to places of worship in the local area, if they are able to have schools come and visit. Councillor Perfect commented that her Church often accommodate school visits and that it would be great for more to get involved. Ms. Rehman added that it would be great to build a body of organisations and individuals that could be used by local schools going forward.
Individuals or organisations interested in volunteering as speakers can forward their information to Rizwana Rehman at rizwana.rehman@bexley.gov.uk. Schools can also recommend speakers or places to visit by contacting Ms. Rehman at the same email address, ensuring that others can benefit from tried and tested resources.
To further enrich RE, the council also discussed the Bexley Spirited Arts Competition. The themes for the 2025 competition are:
- Living in a Diverse World
- Stories that change lives
- Thinking about God
- Sacred Places
- All God's Creatures
- Making Sense of Life
Entries can include drawings, artwork, poetry, photographs, sculptures, musical compositions, or recorded choreography or drama. The borough-wide deadline is Thursday 31st July 2025.
These initiatives reflect Bexley's commitment to providing a comprehensive and engaging religious education that broadens students' understanding of diverse beliefs and perspectives.