Earlier this year Beyond the Ordinary, a national campaign, launched to find individuals who have what it takes to become an RE teacher.

There are still some funded RE teacher training places available for 2015 (for those who have observed RE lessons and undertaken teaching practice) and 2016.  The places are at York St John University, located on a large urban campus, with a teacher training specialism.

The RE teacher training PGCE training programme at York St John University delivers high quality, current and relevant training that equips trainees with the professional knowledge, understanding, skills and attributes they need to become outstanding teachers and leaders.  You do not have to have a faith or practice a faith to train to be an RE teacher. 

The Government recently reinstated training bursaries, so if you have a 2:1 or above, you can get up to £9,000 tax-free a year to help towards living costs whilst you train at York St John.

Why teach RE?

RE is different because it is a highly topical subject and its issues are rarely out of the news. The very nature of RE is what makes it exciting and different.  Every day there are global and local news headlines that need to be interpreted and understood, as they are relevant to the study of religious and non-religious beliefs.

RE teacher training will give you exposure to all the nuances, subtleties and inspiration behind all different faiths, beliefs and none.

On qualifying you will be able to give young people and children the opportunity to interpret and understand, and start to tackle the big questions in life.   When you start to teach you will see young minds switch on to ethical debates and start to question the way they act and views they may have.  

In secondary schools, RE is very popular academic choice for many students; after Maths, English and the Sciences, it has the highest number of GCSE entries every year. 

As a career RE teaching is guaranteed to keep you thinking.  RE lessons always spark a reaction and debates go on well beyond the timetabled lesson, into the school corridors and playground.

Who trains as an RE teacher?

RE teachers come from all walks of life; it often surprises people but you don’t need a degree in Theology or Religious Education to train as an RE teacher. 

The very nature of the subject can attract people on their second or third career.  This year RE teacher trainees who are changing career have come from marketing, business, law and the armed forces. 

Equally, RE is a popular choice with undergraduates who have a relevant degree (not necessarily Theology or Religious Studies – PPE, Sociology, Psychology and Anthropology are just as useful) and know they want a rewarding teaching career. 

At York St John University, training places are available to graduates with relevant degrees as well as career changers. 

Nationally, there is a shortage of RE specialists, despite the popularity of the subject, so a good newly-qualified RE teacher can expect to find a job and manage a career with a degree of independence. 

To find out more visit the Beyond the Ordinary campaign site. 

Beyond the Ordinary highlights the benefits of a career teaching RE; RE teaching is a career that is far from ordinary, offering great breadth and diversity.