Elizabeth Newton

Association of University Lecturers in Religion and Education
History of Education Society, UK

Conference Papers

Newton, E. M. A. (2011) Religious Education in Historical Perspective. Presented at the European Educational Research Association (EERA) Histories of Education Summer School Conference, University of Birmingham.

Newton, E. M. A. (2011) Testimony and Religious Education Teachers: a historical and philosophical perspective. Presented at the University of Worcester Research Student Conference, University of Worcester.

Newton, E.M.A. (2010) Privileging the voice of the teacher in the historiography of religious education. Presented at the History of Education Society Annual Conference, London.

A Teachers’ History of Religious Education in Birmingham, the long 1970s

Volunteers Wanted

Did you teach religious education (RE) in Birmingham secondary schools during the 1960s or the1970s? 

Would you be willing to share your memories of what it was like to be an RE teacher during those years?

If so, please get in touch with Elizabeth Newton e.newton@worc.ac.uk who will explain more about the project and arrange to meet with you to talk about your experiences.
Address: Elizabeth Newton, Graduate Research School, University of Worcester, Henwick Grove, Worcester WR2 6AJ

The project

RE in Birmingham has a fascinating history. In 1975, Birmingham City Council Education Committee released its new and somewhat controversial Agreed Syllabus of Religious Instruction. This was the first syllabus of its type in the UK, the only syllabus at the time that could be said to be multi-faith for all pupils throughout their schooling. 

The syllabus was produced because it had become clear to those working in education that the religious landscape of Birmingham had changed. Immigration of the 50s and 60s had brought world religions to the City in a conspicuous way, whilst Christianity and churchgoing was in decline, with many people turning to secular ideologies to underpin their lives. In this context, Christian instruction was no longer thought to be an appropriate aim for an educational subject and therefore a new direction for RE was required. 

This new direction was a huge change for a subject that, historically, had been exclusively Christian. It was also a huge change for the teachers who had to put this new curriculum into practice in the City’s classrooms. Until now the stories of these teachers have never been heard and this project aims to correct this omission. Through listening to the voices of former teachers of RE, a collaborative oral history of RE will be produced to form A Teachers’ History of Religious Education in Birmingham, the long 1970s.

History of Religious Education Network (HOREN)

The Teachers’ History of RE in Birmingham project sits within the wider research of the History of Religious Education Network. Click on the links below to see the work and publications of the lead researchers within this network:

Dr Stephen Parker
Dr Rob Freathy