What is the purpose of the resource?

The resource aims to:

• raise awareness of sectarianism and religious intolerance and encourage better understanding
• provide materials and examples of good practice for teachers and youth workers to use when working with young people on issues around sectarianism and religious intolerance

Who is it for?

Teachers, youth workers and all educationalists working with young people.

What age group is the resource for?

Early years, primary and secondary aged pupils. There is also an area of the CD-ROM which has games and quizzes available which young people can choose to use themselves.

What is available on the resource?

You will find a range of practical materials for use in classrooms and in group work settings including:

• teaching and group work material
• good practice examples from early years, primary, secondary and youth work
• context, legislation and historical information
• drama exercises
• lesson ideas
• games and quizzes
• other resources

Tried and tested

The material was piloted in 10 schools in five education authorities.
The resource was positively endorsed.

PDF file: Pilot Evaluation report

A short video of some of the creative work developed during the pilot has been produced. You can choose between a Windows Media Video or a QuickTime version.

Video Players
To watch these videos you will need either the latest version of Windows Media player or latest version of the QuickTime player installed on your computer. To get the latest players please use the links provided.

Where do I start?

A good place to start is to read the Context. The Context section explores the historical and contemporary aspects of sectarianism in the Scottish context.

The Teachers and Youth Workers sections have a Self-development section which allows you to consider how anti-sectarian education can be developed in practice. You can also find out more about the resource by watching these presentations:

PowerPoint file: About this Resource

PowerPoint file: Taking the Issue Forward

There is a self-evaluation audit which is based on the format of the HMIE document How Good Is Our School? which provides examples of how this site could be used to take forward anti-sectarian education in schools. Youth groups and organizations would also find this audit useful for programme planning.

Links with other education equality initiatives

Challenging sectarianism is part of delivering equality and fairness within educational establishments. This resource is about challenging sectarianism and religious intolerance. However, it is important to make links with other equality issues.

Challenging sectarianism and religious intolerance supports and develops thinking and practice which promote equality and fairness.  It contributes to the mainstreaming of equality, inclusion and anti-discrimination into education. It is based on values which are now embedded within A Curriculum for Excellence.  One key proposal being that the curriculum 'must enable young people to build up a strong foundation of knowledge and understanding and promote a commitment to considered judgement and ethical action'.

More ideas?

There is a section on this site for good practice examples. The Resources section provides excellent website links as well as information about where to get reading resources and materials that will assist you take forward work in this area.

There activity and lesson ideas for different age groups within the Teachers and Youth Worker sections as well as 60 second animation clips within Scenarios to generate discussion within your classroom or youth group.

There is also a U-18 section for young people which include quizzes and games.