Author: jamesdholt

A reflection on Government policies on the subject of religious education: misunderstandings and the way forward.

July 14, 2015

or my working title was Even when Michael Gove gets it right, he still gets it wrong! Given at Subject and Subjectivities Conference, Edgehill University, 10/7/13 This is a couple of years old and some of the changes have been halted (eg bursaries, etc) but it still highlights the need for people to understand the … More A reflection on Government policies on the subject of religious education: misunderstandings and the way forward.

Educating against Extremism

July 13, 2015

Schools have a responsibility under the ‘Prevent’ strategy to tackle extremism and, as the word suggests, prevent violent and non-violent extremism. The UK government defines extremism as: “Vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs.” It might … More Educating against Extremism

The Great Kingdom

July 1, 2015

This is an adaptation of the Sheep and the Goats (Matthew 25) that I wrote for a friend’s primary school assembly. It’s the first of this type of writing that I’ve done. I quite like it:) As we look around us at all of the lovely food that we have we realise that we are … More The Great Kingdom

A reponse to 9/11 that is still appropriate today

June 27, 2015

Following September 11 I was asked to deliver assemblies for different year groups in the school where I then worked, and also provide some guidance for other teachers. This is still relevant today- perhaps even more so: Assembly Regarding the Bombing of the USA Last week, as I did, you will have sat, horrified at … More A reponse to 9/11 that is still appropriate today

Atlas Shrugged

June 23, 2015

A couple of years ago I read a thought provoking book and scribbled some musings about it. Some of the references are a bit dated but I thought resurrecting it along with some of the issues are still relevant. Ayn Rand (2007) Atlas Shrugged London:Penguin Modern Classics (First published 1957) “All our stories are expressions … More Atlas Shrugged

Changed for good

June 11, 2015

There is a line in my favourite musical that says: Who can say if I’ve been changed for the better? But because I knew you. I have been changed for good. Every time I hear this line, it makes me reflect on those people who I have known who have had a lasting impact on … More Changed for good