FAQs
- I can do anything, why should I teach RE?
- Can I afford to train?
- Isn't teaching poorly paid?
- How can I find out what RE teaching is like?
- Yes, but aren't the students really difficult to control?
- But don't I have to be religious to be an RE teacher?
- Do I need a theology / comparative religion degree?
- How do I become an RE teacher?
- My qualifications aren't from a university in the UK, does that matter?
- I gave up teaching some time ago and want to start again - is that possible?
- I trained to teach another subject but want to transfer and teach RE, what do I do?
- What would my prospects be as an RE teacher?
I can do anything, why should I teach RE?
It is precisely because you could do anything that you should teach - and RE ought to be an interest if you're looking at this site!
If we want society to improve, if we want our young people to be motivated, caring and resourceful, surely we should employ the best people to teach? And you wouldn't be happy working in the City anyway! . Have a look at the 'People' section on this site to see the variety of people who teach RE - and the range of reasons why they find it satisfying.
Go to top
Can I afford to train?
The government no longer pays trainee RE teachers a bursary, however the Association of Churcha place of worship or congregation College Trusts has agreed to assist with bursaries to help with finances, especially if you've left university with lots of debt.See also'How to Become an RE Teacher' in the 'Teaching' section.
Go to top
Isn't teaching poorly paid?
Not really. A teacher in their first year earns over .£19,000 and pay does increase. As you take on more responsibility, pay increases accordingly. Some teachers earn in excess of .£70,000. . But nobody goes into teaching just for the money.
How can I find out what RE teaching is like?
Look at the 'People' section of this website.
Or visit one of the schools in the Good Schools Directory
Go to top
Yes, but aren't the students really difficult to control?
There is a popular feeling that kids are getting more poorly behaved. This is a mythA narrative used to explain natural events using supernatural language . As long as you are fair and patient, young people will respect you. Most of the time!
But don't I have to be religious to be an RE teacher?
No. RE is a subject that teaches students about religion and what it means to be religious, not as a means of becoming religious.
Go to top
Do I need a theology / comparative religion degree?
No. In fact you don't even need theology (although it is certainly helpful). Many RE teachers begin with a limited knowledge of some of the religious faith traditions of this country, but you have to be able to teach them, not write books about them.
How do I become an RE teacher?
Go to: 'How to Become an RE Teacher' .
Go to top
My qualifications aren't from a university in the UK, does that matter?
The basic requirements for becoming a teacher are at:
www.tda.gov.uk/Recruit/becomingateacher/basicrequirements.aspx
You should check with the National Academic Recognition Information Centre (NARIC) at: www.naric.org.uk to see if your qualifications are recognised as equivalent to those required for teacher training.
Go to top
I gave up teaching some time ago and want to start again - is that possible?
As long as you still have Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), yes.
Before you start making applications make sure you can give good reasons for why you stopped teaching when you did. Particularly, if it didn't work last time, what's changed for you?
It might also be worth visiting a local school - or one of those in the Good Schools Directory - and getting an idea of what teaching is like today. Going into classrooms (perhaps working voluntarily) and talking to teachers will give you a real picture of what teaching is like.
More information on returning to teaching is at:
www.tda.gov.uk/teachers/returners.aspx
I trained to teach another subject but want to transfer and teach RE, what do I do?
Probably the main issue you will have to address is your subject knowledge. You might consider one of the 'Booster' courses, a whole PGCE course or further study in an aspect of religious studies. Having good subject knowledge is important and it's best not to avoid this.
Some general information is provided at:
www.tda.gov.uk/Recruit/faqs/teachertraining.aspx
Details of Theology / Religious Studies courses which you can study can be found at:
www.theredirectory.org.uk/quals/
Details of courses which you can study 'online' are at:
www.trsonline.org.uk
Go to top
What would my prospects be as an RE teacher?
It's up to you - teaching is a great career for many people. Others spend some time in the classroom then they move into other jobs in education or work elsewhere.
Sometimes you also meet people who've worked outside education then felt that they wanted to teach - these include lawyers and people with high flown jobs in the city.
See the 'People' section on this website for stories of people who are - and have been - RE teachers.
Go to top