This document provides information about a series of Religious Studies courses for AS/A2 level students being offered between October 2010 and March 2011 by Teachers First. The courses are designed to support teachers in delivering the Religious Studies curriculum using active learning methods. Topics covered include Business Ethics, Ethics of Sex and Human Relationships, Edexcel and OCR exam specifications, improving student outcomes, and guidance for new A-Level teachers. Guest speakers and experienced tutors will lead discussions and provide resources to help teachers develop their subject knowledge and classroom strategies.
1. AS/ A2 Religious Studies
Teacher Courses
London and Manchester
October 2010 - March 2011
RS
HE
FI
TEAC
RST
www.teachersfirst.org.uk There’s always something
new to learn
2. Welcome to Teachers First
Welcome to the Teachers First programme of Religious Studies courses for 2010/11. Our
aim is to offer a programme of one-day courses and conferences that support the teaching
and learning of Religious Studies using active learning methods through paper-based and
technological approaches.
The courses are specifically designed for all teachers, experienced as well as NQTs, who wish
to develop their subject knowledge through our specialist days and for those looking for new
strategies to stimulate and engage their students.
These workshops are also suitable for graduates who are completing their training in a school
environment under the school-centred initial teacher training (SCITT) scheme. PGCE and final
year students would also find our courses very heplful.
We look forward to meeting you on one of our courses.
AS/A2 Religious Studies
Kind regards,
Christine Neary
Chrisine Neary
t
Conference Director.
Course contents:
AS/A2 Religious Studies: Business Ethics
AS/A2 Religious Studies: Ethics of Sex and Human Relationships
Edexcel AS Religious Studies- Unit 2 Investigations
Edexcel A2 Religious Studies: Unit 4 Implications
OCR AS/A2 Religious Studies: The lessons from the June 2010 examinations
and moving ahead with the specification.
OCR AS/A2 Religious Studies: improving learning and teaching in the more
challenging topics
AS/A2 Religious Studies- a guide to the first years of teaching A-level
AS/A2 Religious Studies: AfL, Differentiation, improving grades and the A*
AS/A2 Religious Studies: promoting and developing excellence in students’
essay writing.
3. AS/A2 Religious Studies: Business Ethics
Course Features
Guest speaker: Julian Baggini
Business Ethics is a new topic area that has been
included in the A-level specifications. This course has Co-founder and editor of the Philosophers’ Magazine,
been specifically designed to provide delegates with Julian is a regular contributor to both television and
an opportunity to reflect on this new area and how radio discussion programmes including, Thinking
best to approach its delivery. Time will also be given Allowed, BBC Radio 4 and The Sunday Edition, BBC 3. He
to the application of Ethical theories and guidance on writes regularly for the Guardian and his publications
the development of examination skills to help improve include Welcome to Everytown: A Journey into the
results. English Mind (Granta 2007). Julian is a Fellow of the
We are delighted to welcome Julian Baggini who will Committee for the Scientific Examination of Religion and
give a keynote presentation on an aspect of Business was a commissioner on the Joseph Rowntree Charitable
Ethics followed by questions from delegates. Trust’s inquiry into destitution among asylum seekers
which reported in 2007.
Tutor: Jon Mayled
Delegates will receive a file and/or CD
containing detailed notes of the course Jon has been involved in the development of the
new specifications and has been involved in public
examinations as a teacher and an examiner since
1984. He has been Chief Examiner for one of the major
Venue and date awarding bodies at ELC, GCSE and A-level and is a
consultant for QCA. He now works for both Pre-U and
London, Friday 5 November 2010 IB. Jon has extensive experience as an INSET leader and
has written over eighty religious studies titles including
Course fee £195 plus VAT the highly successful Philosophy and Ethics titles
from Routledge. He is a contributor to REOnline and
also writer and editor of BBC GCSE Bitesize RS books,
videos and webpages. He is also a tutor for the Culham
Institute.
9.30am: Registration and coffee
10.00am: Issues in Business Ethics
Business and consumers
Employers and employees
Business and the environment
Business and globalisation
11.00am: Morning coffee
11.15am: Resources for Business Ethics
Books, films and the internet
Ethical theories and case studies in Business Ethics
12.00am: Ethical theories and case studies in Business Ethics
Training candidates in the application of Ethical theories to issues of Business Ethics
12.30pm: Lunch
1.30pm: Keynote speaker Julian Baggini - “Business Ethics” followed by questions from delegates
3.00pm: Bringing it all together
Including contemporary examples in the delivery of Business Ethics
3.45pm: Day ends
4. AS/A2 Religious Studies:
Ethics of Sex and Human Relationships
Guest speaker: Julian Baggini
Course Features Co-founder and editor of the Philosophers’ Magazine,
Julian is a regular contributor to both television and
radio discussion programmes including, Thinking
Sex and human relationships is an important topic area
Allowed, BBC Radio 4 and The Sunday Edition, BBC 3. He
that has been included in the A-level specifications.
writes regularly for the Guardian and his publications
This course has been specifically designed to provide
include Welcome to Everytown: A Journey into the
delegates with an opportunity to reflect on this new
English Mind (Granta 2007). Julian is a Fellow of the
area and how best to approach its delivery. Time will
Committee for the Scientific Examination of Religion and
also be given to the application of Ethical theories and
was a commissioner on the Joseph Rowntree Charitable
guidance on the development of examination skills to
Trust’s inquiry into destitution among asylum seekers
help improve student outcomes.
which reported in 2007.
We are delighted to welcome Julian Baggini who will
give a keynote presentation on an aspect of the Ethics
of Sex and Human Relationships followed by questions
from delegates.
Tutor: Jon Mayled
Jon has been involved in the development of the
Delegates will receive a file and/or CD new specifications and has been involved in public
containing detailed notes of the course examinations as a teacher and an examiner since
1984. He has been Chief Examiner for one of the major
awarding bodies at ELC, GCSE and A-level and is a
Venue and date consultant for QCA. He now works for both Pre-U and
IB. Jon has extensive experience as an INSET leader and
London, Thursday 11 November 2010
has written over eighty religious studies titles including
the highly successful Philosophy and Ethics titles
Course fee £195 plus VAT
from Routledge. He is a contributor to REOnline and
also writer and editor of BBC GCSE Bitesize RS books,
videos and webpages. He is also a tutor for the Culham
Institute.
9.30am: Registration and coffee
10.00am: Issues in the Ethics of sex and human relationships
Issues surrounding sexual ethics-premarital & extra-marital sex, contraception and
homosexuality
The application and different approaches of ethical theories listed above to sexual ethics
Different faith views in relation to Sexual Ethics
11.00am: Morning coffee
11.15am: Resources for Sexual Ethics
Books films and the internet
11.45am: Ethical theories and case studies in sexual ethics
Guiding candidates in the application of Ethical theories to issues of Sexual Ethics
12.30pm: Lunch
1.30pm: Keynote speaker Julian Baggini - “Sexual Ethics” followed by questions from delegates
3.00pm: Bringing it all together
Including contemporary examples in the delivery of Sexual Ethics
3.45pm: Day ends
5. Edexcel AS Religious Studies - Unit 2 Investigations
Course features
Tutors: Sarah Tyler & Gordon Reid
The day has been specifically designed for all those
teaching the new Edexcel unit 2 specification. It provides
an opportunity to examine the unit in detail and The course will be led by Gordon Reid and Sarah Tyler
consider what material should be taught in addition who are both highly experienced teachers, authors and
to the skill levels demanded. Feedback from the unit 2 senior examiners. Gordon, an experienced Principal
summer examination will also be given. Examiner for Religious Studies has also been Head of
Religious studies for over 16 years. Sarah is also Principal
examiner for a major examination board and has been a
very successful Head of Religious Studies for many years.
Delegates will receive a file and/or CD They are co-authors of Advanced Religious Studies, a
containing detailed notes of the course popular textbook for AS and A2 students.
Venue and date
London, Friday 1 October 2010
Course fee £195 plus VAT
9.45am: Registration and coffee
10.00am: Philosophy of Religion Options
11.15am: Morning coffee
11.30am: Ethics Options
12.30pm: Lunch
1.30pm: Feedback from summer exam
2.45pm: Afternoon tea
3.00pm: Other options: Study of Religion and New Testament
3.45pm: Day ends
6. Edexcel A2 Religious Studies: Unit 4 Implications
Course features
Tutors: Sarah Tyler & Gordon Reid
The day has been specifically designed for all those
teaching the new Edexcel Unit 4 specification. It
provides an opportunity to examine the unit in detail The course will be led by Gordon Reid and Sarah Tyler
and consider what material should be taught in addition who are both highly experienced teachers, authors and
to the skill levels demanded. Feedback from the unit 4 senior examiners. Gordon, an experienced Principal
summer examination will also be given. Examiner for Religious Studies has also been Head of
Religious studies for over 16 years. Sarah is also Principal
examiner for a major examination board and has been a
very successful Head of Religious Studies for many years.
Delegates will receive a file and/or CD They are co-authors of Advanced Religious Studies, a
containing detailed notes of the course popular textbook for AS and A2 students.
Venue and date
London, Friday 15 October 2010
Course fee £195 plus VAT
9.45am: Registration and coffee
10.00am: Overview of Unit 4
10.15am: Delegates must now choose either Philosophy or Ethics Options
Philosophy: Ayer
or
Ethics: Lafollette
11.15am: Morning coffee
11.30pm: Philosophy: Donovan
or
Ethics: Jamieson
12.30pm: Lunch
1.30pm: Philosophy: Westphal
or
Ethics: Scheenwind
2.45pm: Feedback from the summer examination
3.30pm: Individual questions
3.45pm: Day ends
7. OCR AS/A2 Religious Studies: Lessons from the June 2010
examinations and improving student outcomes
Course features
Tutor: Jon Mayled
This day is intended to give teachers the opportunity to
reflect on the June 2010 examinations and to identify
important issues which could help to enhance student Jon has been involved in the development of the
performance. In addition it provides an opportunity to new specifications and has been involved in public
review the demands of the new A2 units and how they examinations as a teacher and an examiner since
may be addressed. 1984. He has been Chief Examiner for one of the major
awarding bodies at ELC, GCSE and A-level and is a
consultant for QCA. He now works for both Pre-U and
IB. Jon has extensive experience as an INSET leader and
Delegates will receive a file and/or CD has written over eighty religious studies titles including
containing detailed notes of the course the highly successful Philosophy and Ethics titles
from Routledge. He is a contributor to REOnline and
also writer and editor of BBC GCSE Bitesize RS books,
videos and webpages. He is also a tutor for the Culham
Venues and dates Institute.
London, Friday 22 October 2010
Manchester, Thursday 14 October 2010
Course fee £195 plus VAT
9.45am: Registration and coffee
10.00am: AS/A2 – The First Aggregations
Reviewing examiners’ comments from June 2010
Identifying important issues for learning and teaching
11.00am: Morning coffee
11.15am: AS/A2: Planning Ahead
What’s new and how much does an A-level student need to know?
Identifying important issues for learning and teaching.
12.30pm: Lunch
1.30pm: Resourcing
What is new?
What is good?
2.00pm: New topics: Attributes of God, Religion and Science/Business Ethics
2.30pm: Active learning strategies for AS/A2
3.30pm: Day ends
8. OCR AS/A2 Religious Studies: Improving learning and
teaching in the more challenging topics
Course features
Tutor: Jon Mayled
This course is designed to help all teachers be up-to-
date with new ideas in key areas of the Philosophy
and Ethics specifications. There will be an opportunity Jon has been involved in the development of the
to review delivery of the more difficult concepts new specifications and has been involved in public
within the options. Group discussion will focus on the examinations as a teacher and an examiner since
misconceptions and misinterpretations which many 1984. He has been Chief Examiner for one of the major
AS and A2 students have in order to improve student awarding bodies at ELC, GCSE and A-level and is a
outcomes. consultant for QCA. He now works for both Pre-U and
IB. Jon has extensive experience as an INSET leader and
has written over eighty religious studies titles including
the highly successful Philosophy and Ethics titles
Delegates will receive a file and/or CD from Routledge. He is a contributor to REOnline and
containing detailed notes of the course also writer and editor of BBC GCSE Bitesize RS books,
videos and webpages. He is also a tutor for the Culham
Institute.
Venue and date
London, Friday 10 December 2010
Course fee £195 plus VAT
9.45am: Registration and coffee
10.00am: The Specifications and the ‘problem’ areas
The Existence of God
11.00am: Morning coffee
11.15pm: Problem of Evil
Attributes of God
Religion and Science
Resourcing
Active teaching strategies
Assessment
12.30pm: Lunch
1.30pm: Ethics
Natural Law
Virtue Ethics
Conscience
Business, Sex and Environment
Resourcing
Active teaching strategies
Assessment
3.45pm: Day ends
9. AS/A2 Religious Studies
A guide to the first years of teaching A level
Course features
Tutor: Jon Mayled
The course aims to build up confidence and develop the
skills for teachers in their first terms of teaching AS and
A level. The day is suitable for all specifications and will Jon has been involved in the development of the
give teachers guidance on what is required for success at new specifications and has been involved in public
the new AS levels and how to equip themselves to step examinations as a teacher and an examiner since
up to A2. 1984. He has been Chief Examiner for one of the major
awarding bodies at ELC, GCSE and A-level and is a
consultant for QCA. He now works for both Pre-U and
IB. Jon has extensive experience as an INSET leader and
Delegates will receive a file and/or CD has written over eighty religious studies titles including
containing detailed notes of the course the highly successful Philosophy and Ethics titles
from Routledge. He is a contributor to REOnline and
also writer and editor of BBC GCSE Bitesize RS books,
videos and webpages. He is also a tutor for the Culham
Venues and dates Institute.
London, Monday 11 October 2010
Manchester, Tuesday 19 October 2010
Course fee £195 plus VAT
9.45am: Registration and coffee
10.00am: Introducing A level
Overview of specifications
Progression from GCSE to A level
Schemes of work
11.00am: Morning coffee
11.15am: Philosophy and Ethics
Skills and understanding
Strategies for successful learning and teaching
Achieving stretch and challenge
Resources
12.30pm: Lunch
1.30pm: Philosophy- strategies and ideas
2.15pm: Ethics
Utilitarianism
2.45pm: Afternoon tea
3.00pm: Assessment
Understanding what the examiners want
Making assessment part of learning
Past papers and mark schemes
3.45pm: Day ends
10. AS/A2 Religious Studies:
AfL, Differentiation, Improving Grades and the A*
Course features
Tutor: Jon Mayled
This course is designed for teachers who are
looking to make a direct impact with effective
strategies in their classroom. There will be Jon has been involved in the development of the
guidance on the demands of the examination and how new specifications and has been involved in public
to encourage the development of higher level skills to examinations as a teacher and an examiner since
improve outcomes and motivate students at all levels. 1984. He has been Chief Examiner for one of the major
Time will be given to debate and consider the awarding bodies at ELC, GCSE and A-level and is a
issues surrounding the A* grade. consultant for QCA. He now works for both Pre-U and
IB. Jon has extensive experience as an INSET leader and
has written over eighty religious studies titles including
Delegates will receive a file and/or CD the highly successful Philosophy and Ethics titles
containing detailed notes of the course from Routledge. He is a contributor to REOnline and
also writer and editor of BBC GCSE Bitesize RS books,
videos and webpages. He is also a tutor for the Culham
Institute.
Venue and date
London, Tuesday 9 November 2010
Course fee £195 plus VAT
9.45am: Registration and coffee
10.00am: Differentiation – Why and How?
Why do we need to Differentiate
How can this be done
Principles of Differentiation
10.30am: Resources
Resources: books, the internet and film for all levels of ability
11.00am: Morning coffee
11.15pm: Supporting Students
Developing essential skills for learning- independence and thinking skills
Assessment for Learning
12.00pm: Active Learning Techniques
Thinking outside of the textbook
12.30pm: Lunch
1.30pm: Differentiation Methods and do they Work?
Differentiated worksheets
Differentiated resources
Core and Extension
2.45pm: Planning a Scheme of Work to Cover all Abilities
A workshop activity to plan lessons and schemes of work
3.45pm: Day ends
11. AS/A2 Religious Studies:
Promoting and developing excellence in students’ essay
writing
Course features
Tutor: Jon Mayled
Advanced level Religious Studies is almost entirely
assessed by essays. This course aims to support teachers
in helping students to develop the necessary skills to Jon has been involved in the development of the
achieve success in this assessment. new specifications and has been involved in public
Time will be spent considering the essential skills examinations as a teacher and an examiner since
required by tackling the more challenging areas of the 1984. He has been Chief Examiner for one of the major
specification. There will be an opportunity to review awarding bodies at ELC, GCSE and A-level and is a
student exemplars combined with feedback from an consultant for QCA. He now works for both Pre-U and
examiner. IB. Jon has extensive experience as an INSET leader and
has written over eighty religious studies titles including
the highly successful Philosophy and Ethics titles
Delegates will receive a file and/or CD from Routledge. He is a contributor to REOnline and
containing detailed notes of the course also writer and editor of BBC GCSE Bitesize RS books,
videos and webpages. He is also a tutor for the Culham
Institute.
Venues and dates
Course fee £195 plus VAT
London, Thursday 3 March 2011
Manchester, Thursday 10 February 2011
9.45am: Registration and coffee
10.00am: AS Religious Studies
Teaching students to take notes
Teaching students to read to develop sufficient subject knowledge
Getting started – teaching students to write good essays
11.00am: Morning coffee
11.15am: Writing essays on the challenging topics at AS
Religion and Science
Religious Ethics
How to improve essays on these and all AS areas
What the examiner wants to see
12.30pm: Lunch
1.30pm: Writing essays on the challenging topics at A2
Business Ethics
Environmental Ethics
Virtue Ethics
How to improve essays on these and all A2 areas
What the examiner wants to see
3.00pm: Bringing it together
How to turn classroom discussions into great essays. Making sure students
present their best in the exams
Supporting key skills in the classroom to prepare students to write great
essays
Tracking, reviewing and ensuring good progress
3.45pm: Day ends
12. Teacher Day Booking Form
)0844 800 5292 20844 800 5295 8bookings@teachersfirst.org.uk
Or return the booking form to us at the address given below. We will then confirm your booking and issue an invoice.
Payment is required 2 weeks before the date of the workshop.
Course details will be sent out to you about 10 days before the course, after the receipt of payment.
Please telephone us if you have not received them by this time.
Further information on this and other events can be found on our website www.teachersfirst.org.uk
Teacher Courses Venue Date Course fee per Number of
head (plus VAT) places required
AS/A2 Religious Studies: Business Ethics London 05/11/10 £195
AS/A2 Religious Studies: Ethics of Sex and Human
London 11/11/10 £195
Relationships
Edexcel AS Religious Studies: Unit 2 investigations London 01/10/10 £195
Edexcel A2 Religious Studies: Unit4 Implications London 15/10/10 £195
London 22/10/10
OCR AS/A2 Religious Studies: Lessons from the June
£195
2010 examinations and improving student outcomes
Manchester 14/10/10
OCR AS/A2 Religious Studies: Improving learning and
London 10/12/10 £195
teaching in the more challenging topics
London 11/10/10
£195
AS/A2 Religious Studies - Teaching for the first time
Manchester 19/10/10
£195
£195
AS/A2 Religious Studies: AfL, Differentiation,
London 09/11/10
Improving grades and the A*
£195
London 03/03/11 £195
AS/A2 Religious Studies: promoting and developing
excellence in students’ essay writing
Manchester 10/02/11 £195
Delegate
School / College
Address & Postcode
RS
Telephone Mobile HE
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TEAC
Office e-mail address
RST
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Please return to:
There’s always something
Teachers First LLP, PO Box 659, Stockport, SK2 7WF. new to learn
Teachers First reserves the right to amend the programme where circumstances dictate.