Places of worship and spirituality
Religious buildings can act as a focus for understanding faiths and communities, as well as containing a wealth of historical, artistic and cultural treasures. Many ancient sites and natural places also have a spiritual dimension, and can provide children and young people with opportunities to look at the world in a different way.
Make its
Case studies
RE Online
The ‘places of worship’ pages provide encouragement to use both local and national religious resources outside the classroom in order to give pupils first hand experiences of religious buildings and the communities they serve. http://pow.reonline.org.uk/
National Association of Standing Advisory Councils on Religious Education
NASACRE has links to many religious education websites and also to regional websites that link to local SACRE members. These often provide directories of places of worship. Information about places of worship can also be obtained through local authority websites, some of which include virtual tours. www.nasacre.org.uk
Religious Education Council of England and Wales
Provides access to the Religious Education Directory and links to faith communities. www.religiouseducationcouncil.org/
BBC
This website provides information about many religions with links to more specialist sites and resources. www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/
Shap Working Party on World Religions in Education
Produces a pictorial calendar of festivals, a journal and offers an advisory service. www.shap.org
Christian Education
Publishes religious education resources in all faith traditions. www.retoday.org.uk
Churches Together in Britain and Ireland
Interdenominational organisation with 31 member churches. Successor to the former Council of Churches for Britain and Ireland, and before that the British Council of Churches. www.ctbi.org.uk
National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United Kingdom
Provides information and advice on regional communities and visits. www.bahai.org.uk
The Buddhist Society
Seeks to publicise the principles of Buddhism; produces a newsletter and journal. Includes a resources section for schools. www.thebuddhistsociety.org
The Clear Vision Trust
Promotes understanding of Buddhism through audio-visual media. It publishes teaching resources suitable for all key stages and can advise on visits. www.clear-vision.org
National Council of Hindu Temples
One of the main consultative bodies on matters relating to the British Hindu community and the Hindu culture and religion. Website provides information, advice and resources. www.nchtuk.org
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness Educational Services
Website providing a full range of educational resources and services for the understanding of Hinduism. www.iskcon.org.uk/ies/
Board of Deputies of British Jews
The Board is elected from the great majority of Jewish communal organisations in Britain, including synagogues, social and welfare organisations, local community bodies and many others. The website provides an information and resource service. www.boardofdeputies.org.uk/
Muslim Educational Trust
Advises on educational issues and needs of Muslim pupils. The website includes many useful publications and fact sheets on Islam. www.muslim-ed-trust.org.uk/
Sikh Education Council of the United Kingdom
The education section of the website has a range of resources useful for all key stages. www.thesikhway.com
