Northern Ireland Humanists works on behalf of the growing non-religious community in Northern Ireland to promote humanism, a secular state, and equal treatment of everyone regardless of religion or belief.

In education, we take an active role in supporting parents and teachers on a variety of issues such as compulsory collective worship, the teaching of RE and RSE, and issues with Boards of Governors. We have active lines of communication with Stormont on a number of current issues and are involved in the setting up of the Coalition for Inclusive Education.

At this online event, open to teachers of all backgrounds, you will have the opportunity to learn more about the work of Northern Ireland Humanists and find out about some of the free resources available to both primary and post-primary teachers on a wide range of topics - these include:

• Lesson plans for KS1, KS2, and KS3
• PowerPoint presentations 
• Assemblies 
• Films and video clips for use in class
• The current education campaigns work of Northern Ireland Humanists

There will also be the opportunity to raise questions and to discuss any current concerns or issues that you have with education in Northern Ireland or within your school context, or to share successes or examples of good practice.

Our speakers

Laura Fitzsimons leads our School Speaker programme in Northern Ireland, promoting inclusive RE by providing trained speakers to talk about humanism in primary and secondary schools, colleges, and teacher training institutes.

Calum Irvine is a primary school teacher at an integrated primary school and volunteer for Northern Ireland Humanists supporting the School Speaker programme. This programme looks to promote inclusive RE by providing trained speakers to talk about humanism in primary and secondary schools, colleges and teacher training institutes.  Our speakers engage with young people and teachers on issues around human rights, equality and critical thinking, whilst providing an understanding of the philosophy of Humanism.

Boyd Sleator is the Northern Ireland Humanists Coordinator. Boyd’s role is to expand the reach of Northern Ireland Humanists’ campaigns, services, events, community, and public awareness work. He is particularly motivated around issues related to education reform in Northern Ireland, and has spearheaded calls for reform of the Religious Education curriculum and for an end to religious privilege in state funded schools.

Ruth Wareham is Humanists UK’s Education Campaigns Manager. She works on all Humanists UK’s education issues, from school admissions and discrimination in employment, to religious education, collective worship and evolution vs creationism in schools.