The God Who Speaks is an initiative of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales in partnership with the Bible Society.
What is the project about?
Your school is invited to trial new and creative materials for Religious Education (RE) with strong, imaginative and artistic elements and some interfaith themes. Developed from the Cloud Of Witnesses art and faith exhibition in London this year, there are eight sets of learning materials, each one needing two-three lessons to work on with pupils aged 8-14.
These lessons use creative art works from Cloud Of Witnesses to inspire pupils to think in profound ways about God, faith, prayer, sacred space and related themes. They are presented as classroom-ready PPTs with all the info, worksheets and tasks ready to use.
The resources will be published early in 2026,and in October/November 2025 schools are invited to try out the materials and gather samples of pupils’ work. Some of these pupils’ work will be published as part of the project.
What do volunteer schools get?
If your school volunteers, you will be sent materials for primary or secondary phases: four ready-to-use PPTs with supporting materials to print and complete teacher planning. Your school and pupils will be credited in the published project, and you’ll have access to the final versions of the project materials.
What is the commitment for trial schools?
You are invited to commit to trying out one or two of the learning packs with a class of learners, using the provided tasks, collecting and sharing a sample of at least six pieces of pupils’ work. You’ll be asked for a commentary on the materials, which will be used to revise the work before it is published.
How are trial schools supported?
There will be a one-hour webinar (both live and recorded) to introduce the project, available for live participation from 3.45-4.45pm on 9 October. A recording will be available to view after this.
What is the timescale?
Schools can volunteer now and begin their work as soon as they wish; 9 October is when the support webinar and recording take place. Schools are asked to trial the lessons in October and early November, reporting back to the project team by 14 November and meeting a final deadline for sending in work of 26 November.
What are the primary lessons about?
Two to three lessons are needed for each of these titles:
- Searching for God: three circles
- Sacred and special spaces.
- Palm crosses: symbols of Jesus - when life unravels.
- What if Jesus came to your town?
What are the secondary lessons about?
Two to three lessons are needed for each of these titles:
- God in Jesus: images of the divine.
- Interfaith visions: Jewish and Islamic depictions.
- Solidarity: standing together.
- Big questions: faith and doubt; reconciliation of people and planet.
What should be done if schools want to volunteer?
- Discuss the project with senior leaders to ensure their support.
- Contact Fleur Dorrell to register your interest - fleur.dorrell@cbcew.org.uk
- State which of the primary or secondary lessons you wish to trial and which year groups will be worked with. Plan to trial one of two of the titles.
- Join or watch the introductory webinar on 9 October, 3.45-4.45pm.
- Plan to teach these lessons to a class between now and mid-November and to collect a work sample of at least six examples of interesting work to scan and share.
Keep in touch about what is going on and any queries you might have at fleur.dorrell@cbcew.org.uk or with Lat Blaylock - lat@retoday.org.uk
