The Missing Link
A podcast series aimed at RS teachers, offering short summaries from leading experts in RS. Each episode will introduce a different teaching strategy or idea, and offer tips to implement good classroom practice. Further information will be signposted to enable additional reading. If you would like to contribute a podcast on an RS topic or idea, contact us at: cdevekey@bsg.bournemouth.sch.uk or iharris@bsg.bournemouth.sch.uk
Listen on:
Episodes

Jul 11, 2025
Jul 11, 2025
7 min
In this episode, Nikki explains how she uses theologies to enable students to both study interpretations of sacred texts and also help develop their own stance and interpretative skills.
Further reading on scholars referred to by Nikki can be found here:
Cone, J. H. (2011). The cross and the lynching tree. Orbis Books.
Williams, D. S. (1993). Sisters in the wilderness: The challenge of womanist God-talk. Orbis Books.
Hall Lee, C. (2017). Black Madonna: A womanist look at Mary of Nazareth. Cascade Books.
McDonald, C. (2021). God is not a white man: And other revelations. Hodder & Stoughton

Jul 8, 2025
Jul 8, 2025
4 min
In this episode, Mary Myatt challenges us all to look again at our teaching resources, asking the question, 'Could we improve the quality of how they look?'
Links referred to in the podcast:
VCS: Visual Commentary on Scripture https://thevcs.org/about
Museum With No Frontiers https://www.museumwnf.org/results?q=islam

Jul 3, 2025
Jul 3, 2025
5 min
In this episode, Dave Francis introduces the work of the Big Ideas project, produced in conjunction with Denise Cush and Barbera Wintersgill. For further information, their website can be found here:
https://bigideasforre.org/
https://sofn.uk/
https://www.solarity.org.uk/

Jul 3, 2025
Jul 3, 2025
5 min
In this episode, Krys McInnis shares some excellent ideas on the use of AI in RE, redefining AI as a creative and reflective tool rather than just a short cut to complete tasks. Further reading can be found in these ebooks and articles that Krys offers for free:
Is AI a Threat or a Tool? Reframing the Role of Artificial Intelligence in Religious Education - https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/ai-threat-tool-reframing-role-artificial-intelligence-krys-mcinnis-mpqye/?trackingId=Kc8KxRQ5SOy5WRqfjWTelg%3D%3D
RE in the Age of AI: Opportunities and Ethical Challenges -https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/re-age-ai-opportunities-ethical-challenges-krys-mcinnis-fkt8e/?trackingId=9ybfqs14QRWD%2FRfntXr7rA%3D%3D
AI in Religious Education: 5 Ethical Questions Every Teacher Should Be Asking - https://reimagining-education-uk.kit.com/b24959fd99

Jun 19, 2025
Jun 19, 2025
7 min
In this episode, Carol explains the benefits and ideas of P4C in an extra-curricular philosophy club setting. Further details can be found here:
https://p4c.com/
https://voice21.org/assessing-the-impact-of-oracy-on-your-students/
https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/projects-and-evaluation/projects/philosophy-for-children-effectiveness-trial
https://www.sapere.org.uk/
And Carol can be contacted at: roastc@cornerstoneacademy.org.uk

Jun 17, 2025
Jun 17, 2025
8 min
In this episode, James talks about how he developed philosophy units alongside and within teaching RS, using elements of P4C with some distinct additions and amendments. Further links, and contact details are here:
https://collins.co.uk/products/9780008355029
https://plato-philosophy.org/philosophy-toolkit/
jrrandall77@gmail.com

Jun 12, 2025
Jun 12, 2025
5 min
In this episode, Emma talks about how she fosters an empathetic understanding of religions with her classes. For more information, she can be contacted here: Emma.Groves@hants.gov.uk

Jun 12, 2025
Jun 12, 2025
8 min
Current Farmington scholar Shazia Gleadall talks about her project, including approaches to teaching this sensitive and nuanced subject.

Jun 5, 2025
Jun 5, 2025
6 min
In this episode, Anastasia picks up on the 'messiness of religion' (see the James Holt podcast for more on this), and explores how the study of religion has been influenced by historical, cultural and colonial factors.

Jun 5, 2025
Jun 5, 2025
6 min
In this episode, teacher and writer Andy Lewis talks about the nature of RE as a unique, complex and challenging subject. Further reading suggested by Andy is below:
100 Ideas for Outstanding RE lessons by Andy Lewis
Making Every RE Lesson Count by Dawn Cox and Louise Hutton
Religious Education in the Secondary School: An Introduction to Teaching, Learning and the World Religions by James Holt
