Teacher — Secondary School — Religious Education

You would teach young people about different religions, philosophy and values and help them appreciate the global diversity of beliefs.

You would work with young people from 11 to 18 years old, in state and independent schools. You might also work in a college or learning centre.

As a religious education - or religious and moral education – teacher, you’d help your pupils recognise and understand religious diversity and non-religious beliefs and the importance of these in society.  You'd inspire and motivate them to explore different values and attitudes and consider moral and ethical issues to help them reflect on their own approach to making moral decisions.

You’d teach students of different ages and abilities and prepare young people to take the National Qualifications and Highers in this subject.

There is national guidance for Curriculum for Excellence religious and moral education, for religious education in Roman Catholic schools and for National Qualifications which you would use when planning your teaching.

You would:

• prepare lessons and teaching materials
• assess students’ progress and mark their work
• set homework
• manage classroom behaviour
• discuss students' progress with parents and carers
• organise study trips, social activities and sports events

You’d encourage the students to take pride in their achievements inside and outside school. You’d support them to build good relationships with other students and teachers and play a positive part in the life of the school and the local community.

You’d help them get the knowledge, skills and attributes they’ll need for a successful and positive life when they leave school.

Sometimes you will need to deal with challenging behaviour. It may be difficult to get some teenagers to study so you’d need to be imaginative and enthusiastic to keep them interested.

You’d need to attend meetings and training courses. You’d work closely with colleagues to plan the school’s timetables, and work with other professionals, such as education psychologists and social workers.