News release: New IFN resource for primary schools

Inter Faith Week launch of new IFN resource for primary schools

15 November 2019

Inter Faith Week 10-17 November is currently under way with hundreds of activities happening around the UK: www.interfaithweek.org   Many of these are happening in schools, reflected in tweets this week at @IFWeek.

The Inter Faith Network for the UK, which leads on the Week, is delighted to launch a special new resource for primary schools. It is designed to help increase pupils’ understanding of, and skills for, inter faith encounter, dialogue and action. It focuses on learning about real examples of inter faith engagement, including in their areas.
 
The resource, for Upper Key Stage 2 pupils, consists of a teachers’ introduction and four units, which are: 1a Religious diversity in the UK and the importance of inter faith activity, 1b Introducing inter faith activity, 2 Let’s talk – inter faith dialogue, 3 Making a difference in the community – inter faith social action, and 4 Team spirit – inter faith sport.  It can can be found at https://www.interfaith.org.uk/resources/learning-about-inter-faith-activity-a-primary-resource.
 
Also for Inter Faith Week, and for ‘Friendship Friday’ the Inter Faith Network for the UK (IFN) worked with anti-bullying charity Kidscape to provide some pointers for parents and carers of primary age children through a blog about faith, belief and identity and support for this in primary school contexts.  https://www.interfaithweek.org/news/inter-faith-week-and-friendship-friday

Notes

1. The Inter Faith Network for the UK www.interfaith.org.uk was founded in 1987 to advance public knowledge and mutual understanding of the teachings, traditions and practices of the different faith communities in Britain and to promote good relations between people of different faiths in this country. It works with its member bodies and others to carry out these aims.
2. Member bodies of the Inter Faith Network include: national faith community representative bodies; national, regional and local inter faith bodies; and academic institutions and educational bodies concerned with inter faith issues. A list of member bodies can be found at http://www.interfaith.org.uk/members.
3. IFN is grateful to IFN member bodies which responded to a request for materials or provided concept feedback, including contacts at the Religious Education Council for England and Wales and the National Association of Standing Advisory Councils on Religious Education (NASACRE);  IFN Trustees and Faith Communities Forum members who had the opportunity to look at the material; RE Hub leads in Learn, Teach, Lead RE (LTLRE) Area 1;  schools which piloted the resource; and a number of individuals who offered valuable advice.  
4. This resource is focused on inter faith activity in England. The contacts from the national inter faith linking bodies of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales saw these materials in development and may, in due course, produce materials specific to their nations.
5. IFN is also grateful to all funders of its work, of which this project forms an important part.  These include the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Trusts, faith communities and individual donors.
6. The materials may be updated in due course to ensure that links and content remain up to date, and the IFN office welcomes feedback on both, as well as on the experience of using the resource.
7. Press queries to the Inter Faith Network: email ifnet@interfaith.org.uk