As part of their Religious Education course, a group of Woodham Academy Year 8 students recently attended an Interfaith Conference at County Hall.
With students from several other County Durham schools they were able to meet and interview representatives from a number of different faith communities who were pleased to answer questions and discuss a range of issues from “What difference does your faith make in everyday life?” to “Do you think the North East is tolerant of different religions?” before participating in a “Question Time” format where each school posed their own question to the whole panel.
The students are participating in a research project investigating religious diversity in the North of England and its impact on individuals and society. Head of RE, Mrs. Janet Davison, who accompanied the students, commented “This was such an amazing opportunity for our students to confront and overcome some of the usual stereotypes about religious believers and to be able to put forward their own questions”.
As the project develops, students will visit places of worship and use Skype and social media to maintain and extend contact with faith representatives before participating in a final conference in the Summer term.
Photo supplied by Woodham Academy
