Educational Perspectives on School Collective Worship: Beyond Obituary

Aideen Hunter, Norman Richardson

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

9 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Much has changed in education in all parts of the United Kingdom over the period since the post-war education acts of the 1940s prescribed ‘a daily act of collective worship’ in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. While Religious Education in most of the UK has changed significantly in response to a much more diverse and plural society, collective worship/religious observance now appears to many people, including educational professionals, to be anachronistic. This chapter will analyse this changed situation and review some of the discussions and proposals from religious, educational, secular and political perspectives. While three main approaches seem to be evident in the current debate – maintaining the status quo, reform, abolishing the requirement – some attention will be given to the view that a modified activity might focus on ‘spiritual development’ and inclusive ‘shared values’.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationCollective Worship and Religious Observance in Schools
Subtitle of host publicationReligion Education and Values
EditorsPeter Crumper, Alison Mawhinney
Place of PublicationOxford, UK
PublisherPeter Lang
Chapter11
Pages277-300
Number of pages24
Volume13
ISBN (Electronic)978-1-78707-657-0, 978-1-78707-656-3
ISBN (Print)978-1-78707-655-6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished (in print/issue) - 30 Jan 2018

Publication series

NameReligion, Education and Values

Keywords

  • Religion
  • Schools
  • Human rights

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Educational Perspectives on School Collective Worship: Beyond Obituary'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.
  • Collective Worship in Northern Ireland's Schools

    Hunter, A. & Richardson, N., 31 Jan 2018, Collective Worship and Religious Observance in Schools: Religion, Education and Values. Crumper, P. & Mawhinney, A. (eds.). Oxford, UK: Peter Lang, Vol. 13. p. 43-58 16 p. (Religion, Education and Values).

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Cite this