PGCE Students

- degree in Philosophy from Manchester University. During my time at secondary school I received very little Religious Education and left Year 11 with limited knowledge of world religions. At sixth form I took Philosophy and Ethjics A level which aroused my interest in BIG questions. My teacher, Ms Smith, was a great influence on me. She encouraged me to think about issues I had never really considered before. At university I studied Philosophy and this opened my eyes to a whole new world. I had a great interest in philosophy of religion and found the arguments for the existence of God fascinating. Also the idea of moral values trouble me, but I still love the problems that are raised. At Manchester I made friends with people from all different faiths and backgrounds. This made me realize how my limited RE knowledge could very easily be a catalyst for ignorance and discrimination. I wanted to become an RE teacher to help ensure future generations appreciate and enjoy the diversity of religion.

- degree in Applied Psychology from Liverpool John Moores University. I initially did not plan to become an RE teacher. However, my interest in religious issues became apparent during my uni years. I also feel that I am on a personal mission to teach the youngsters of today about the many different people that will live in our society today. I think it is essential in appreciating the diversity of our country and getting the best out of multi-cultural Britain. Being a Sikh, I myself have experienced prejudice, even though I class myself as 100% British. Therefore I feel it is my duty to try to teach youngsters that having a religion and being British work ‘hand in hand'. Furthermore, being from Bradford and experiencing the riots and the racial abuse that goes on there, I feel disgusted that people use religion as a reason to discriminate and fight. Our aim as a country should be to appreciate the diverse range of people and to live in harmony.

- degree in Theology and RS from Manchester University. I really enjoyed RE at secondary school, from about Year 10 when I had a great RE teacher - he has even won awards! He always made our lessons exciting and made every individual feel as though their comments and ideas meant something profound. For this reason, I chose to study RE at university with absolutely no intention of going into teaching - I just rally enjoyed the subject, particularly aspects such as Jewish Studies and the Holocaust, and critics of religion. It was after I came back from traveling after university that I decided to go into teaching and not it feels that everything is leading up to this point was always guiding me in this direction - no matter how much I resisted! RE teaching is such an important, fun job and I couldn't imagine doing anything else with my life.

- degree in Theology and Religious Studies from Liverpool Hope University. During my lifetime, I have always had an interest in attending church and learning about other religions and cultures. My secondary school was a huge influence for my love of RE. dedicated RE teachers at my senior school became role models for me and encouraged me at every opportunity to pursue my love for the subject. I have done work experience with young people and this has encouraged me even more to get the fuure generation interested in the subject as a whole, and to help them gain an insight of the person they are and aspire to be. After doing work experience in America this summer fior a charity and working with children, I came to see teaching as my vocation in life, and so help educate and help young people find their own vocation in life.

- degree in Criminal Justice and Sociology from John Moores University, Liverpool. I wanted to be a teacher from an early age. I was taught by some wonderful teachers who inspired me to have the same effect on other young people. RE was my favourite subject, from scripture to discussion, and I moved school at 18 in order to study it at St Mary's, Crosby. I was the first girl to study RE at that Christian Brothers' College. Although I gained a place to do theology, I decided to become a nurse! I qualified and enjoyed an good career, but the ambition to teach RE never left me. I wanted to teach secondary pupils, as I enjoy working with young people, and have done in Camp America, teaching EFL abroad and local enterprise days. My degree in Criminal Justice/Sociology first very well with the way RE is taught now, since the events of 9/11 and 7/11. I think it is vital that young people understand the world they live in, and are stewards of it. RE can help them to talk through controversial topics and end on a respectful conclusion. I feel very lucky to be part of that.

- degree in History of Art from Manchester University It was during my degree (as a mature student) that I became interested in both religion and pedagogy. History of Art is very closely allied alongside religion and I am hoping my history of art skills will come in very handy in the classroom as a way of breaking through to visual and other learners. Whilst at university I realised for the first time I was capable of succeeding and I started to question the teaching I received at school many years previous. I felt an urge to return to school to assist other young learners in achieving their full potential.

- degree in Theology and Religious Studies from Liverpool Hope University. When I was at school I had a wonderful set of teachers. They inspired me to develop my interest in the subject and their enthusiasm rubbed off on me. My interest in RE came first, and my interest in teaching second. It was only when working as a catechist for a holy communion group that I realized that I desperately wanted to make the link. As I completed my degree in theology I realized I wanted to be the one to discuss the ‘big questions' and nurture young people in terms of their faith and the phenomenal journey education takes them on. I have been involved with many groups over the past number of years such as Vides, SVP, and similar programmes such as teaching in a summer school in Italy. I feel that to educate in matters of faith is rewarding, not just in the social skills it can give youngsters but also in terms of their growth and maturity.

- degree in Religious Studies from the University of Chester. I enjoyed RE from the very beginning of secondary school. Exploring different cultures and faiths appealed to me. It was therefore a natural choice to go on to study RE at GCSE and A level. I particularly enjoyed the A level course. The teacher was passionate about the subject and allowed opportunity for research and discussion. I enjoyed applying ethical theories to everyday life situations and learning about religion in a contemporary British situation. After A levels I went on to study RS at the University of Chester. During the course I had the opportunity to study world religions, ethics, philosophy and theology. I really enjoyed studying Judaism, and my dissertation explored American Jewish literature focusing on the work of Chaim Potok. I graduated this year with first class honours! During my undergraduate course I explored different career opportunities and found that time and time again, I came back to teaching. I am thoroughly enjoying the PGCE course.

- degree in Philosophy from Queen's University, Belfast I grew up in Northern Ireland and went to secondary school in a local grammar school. I struggled a lot in school and was not given the assistance I needed. I did my GCSEs and went back to study A levels. It was at this stage that my RE teacher suggested that I may have dyslexia. She provided support with developing my essay writing skills and facilitated my progress in achieving good A levels. I went on to study Philosophy at Queen's University, Belfast where I was very successful in most of the modules I studied. I realised during the course of my degree that I wanted to help young people achieve their true potential and reflected upon my own school experiences and the people who helped me. I decided on RE because I have an interest in the subject and I feel that it is one of the only subjects where BIG questions can be discussed.

- degree in Theology, Music and Maths from National University, Ireland. For a year after gaining my degree I did supply teaching in my old school. This was a great experience for me as I was seeing all my old teachers again, but this time I was an equal! I had such a great time teaching that after a month I knew I wanted to be an RE teacher. I applied to Liverpool Hope University, got an interview, and was delighted when I received the news I had a place on the PGCE course. Before I started the course, I attended the subject booster course and this helped me a great deal in getting to know everyone, and I knew I had some great friends already in place. I think RE is so important in schools today. It helps promote good citizenship, community cohesion and helps educate people in the world faiths. This leads to respect, understanding and an acceptance of them as equals.