Farmington Scholar 2020
The Farmington Institute, Harris Manchester College, University of Oxford, offers scholarships to RE teachers in secondary schools, those responsible for RE in primary schools, teachers of RE to children with special educational needs, and also to head teachers in moral, ethical and religious education. In addition, a separate scheme gives scholarships in moral and ethical leadership to members of Her Majesty’s Armed Forces
Julie Childs, a Primary Teacher at Utterby Primary Academy in Lincolnshire, was awarded a unversity-based Farmington Scholarship to carry out research with the support of Prof Belinda Colston, Director of the EGC, University of Lincoln.
Looking in, looking out
Exploring pupil unconscious bias and enabling pupils to become reflective, critical learners in the primary RE classroom
My research will identify and analyse unconscious biases in primary-level pupils, and support them to unpick their own unconscious biases through philosophical enquiry and questioning skills. I will then counteract the pupils' lack of exposure to other cultures and faiths by ensuring they have dialogue with faith members (virtually until visits can resume) and see the diversity within faiths and worldviews. This increased ability to articulate thoughts, and to be philosophical enquirers, should benefit a wide range of curriculum areas. The exposure to a breadth of faiths and worldviews as 'lived', and not just academic, should support them in becoming global citizens.
Julie Childs
Farmington Scholar 2020
Julie has over 20 years' experience in teaching and currently teaches Reception (Foundation), Year 1 and Year 2 at Utterby Primary Academy in Lincolnshire, where she leads RE, SMSC, British Values, PSHE and RSE.
Julie was part of the working party that revised the last Locally Agreed Syllabus for North East Lincolnshire, and was responsible for delivering training on the syllabus across the County. She has delivered training across a range of topics within RE at conferences and has supported and mentored RE subject leaders in other schools. Julie runs the North East Lincolnshire RE subject leaders network, is Chair of the North East Lincolnshire SACRE, and Chair of Governors at a local school. Julie is also the NATRE (National Association of Teachers of Religious Education) Regional Ambassador for the East Midlands, championing and supporting RE across the region. She was recently elected to serve on the NATRE Executive Committee for three years.
Follow Julie on Twitter: @JulieChilds12
You can also join her Regional Facebook Group: RE in the East Midlands
