Skip to main content
Centre for the Study of Islam in the UK

Discovering Muslims teaching resources

The Islam-UK Centre has developed a range of RVE teaching resources, primarily aimed at PS3-4 but adaptable for other progression steps.

These resources reflect the Centre’s research focus on lived experiences, aligning with the phenomenological approach to religion and worldviews found such as that found in the Curriculum for Wales.

All resources are free to access, and where possible, bilingual. They have been developed in consultation with RE/RVE practitioners, with several—such as the Virtual Mosque—created directly in response to practitioner requests.

Key resources

  • Progression Steps3-4 supporting materials
    Designed to support both subject specialists who wish to adapt materials and non-specialists.
  • Supporting materials for primary
    Designed to support practitioners teaching about Islam and Muslims a primary level.
  • Ask a Muslim
    An interactive tool that centres Muslim voices, enabling learners to engage directly with lived experiences and developing understanding of the pluralism and diversity within Islam in Wales.
  • Virtual Mosque
    A 3D interactive tour that supports access where school visits may not be possible. Encouraging enquiry and independent learning.
  • Pronunciation Guide
    Supports accurate pronunciation of Arabic terms, aligned with current WJEC curriculum glossaries for GCSE and GCE. This support can also assist RVE practitioners with their confidence in pronouncing Arabic terms in the classroom.
  • History of Islam in Wales (E-book)
    Showcasing the rich and often overlooked story of Islam in Wales, broadening understanding of a diverse and multi-religious nation. Entwining the historical, sociological, religious and spiritual threads for the Curriculum for Wales, within the humanities AoLE.

Together, these resources empower practitioners, enrich classroom discussion, and promote a nuanced, research-informed understanding of Islam and Muslim life in Wales and Britain (local and national part of the cross-cutting theme).

Background

From its inception, the Centre has worked closely with Muslim communities, ensuring research is conducted with rather than on communities. It also developed the first freely available online course (MOOC) on the subject, “Muslims in Britain: Changes and Challenges.” in 2014. Although open to all learners, secondary school RE teachers were a key audience in its design.

Building on the success of this course, Dr Mathew Vince led a project to produce an online course and accompanying classroom resources. The aim was to embed sociological perspectives into RE (pre-RVE) teaching by drawing on cutting-edge research and academic scholarship. Research shows that some teachers lack confidence when teaching about Islam and Muslim communities. A key objective of the project is therefore to highlight the diversity within Muslim communities in Britain and challenge monolithic misconceptions about Islam.