Phil Leivers

School Improvement Adviser (RE) Solihull MBC. My interest in Religious Education developed during my university days at St David's University College, Lampeter, which culminated in a MTh in Liberation Theology. Following a fascinating secondary PGCE course in Birmingham, I began teaching in Solihull and within a year was promoted to Head of Department. This gave me a great opportunity to develop a curriculum which was innovative, experiential, rigorous and challenging. When the GCSE short courses became available, I quickly seized upon it as a way of promoting RE for all and became one of the best performing departments in the school. I then moved to Head of Department post in a Wolverhampton School which was inner city and multi faith. From there I became Advisory Teacher of RE and Citizenship in Coventry LA and then three years ago moved back to Solihull as School Improvement Adviser with responsibility for RE. I have also served as Vice-Chair of AREIAC, this is the professional association for RE Inspectors, Advisers and Consultants. It is an exciting time to be involved in Religious Education. There are significant developments nationally which are aiming to strengthen RE's position and promote teachers' professional development. Crucially, it is important that all the interested parties work together for the good of RE and lobby effectively.