Wil Meech
For Wil, now a Teacher of Philosophy, Beliefs, and Ethics, the decision to train as an RE teacher was about keeping his passion for the subject alive.
“The choice was made mostly due to my reluctance to stop engaging with the subject”, he said. “I knew that if I could be paid to talk to people about my favourite topics, then that was the career for me.”
Wil had first taken a keen interest in Religious Education at his school in Cheltenham and went on to study Philosophy at University College London, before deciding to become an RE teacher.
He chose the University of Worcester for his training because of its reputation for teacher training, it's OFSTED 'outstanding' rating and its commitment to accessibility.
“It's a decision I never once regretted,” he said.
Before starting his PGCE in Religious Education, Wil developed his subject knowledge through completing a subject knowledge enhancement course and read everything he could about religion and philosophy. “'A little history of Religion' by Richard Holloway was a favourite of mine which I would say is required reading for all RE teachers,” he added.
“The PGCE was a challenging but fulfilling and enjoyable experience,” Wil said. “There were times when I was exhausted but there was also never a dull moment. I enjoyed days at university with my lecturers and fellow trainees, where I made some good friends. The placements were a wonderful experience as well, which I will never forget.”
“Being an RE teacher is a pleasure,” he added. “Yes, there are ups and downs and it's hard work, but no other job has the highs that mine does. When a curious student comes and asks me a question after lesson, I know I made the right choice. The colleagues also make the job great. In experience, teachers are fantastic people, and the job wouldn't be the same without them.”
As he develops himself as an RE teacher, Wil is using the experience he's gained both whilst on the course and from working in his current role, to work towards becoming the best teacher he can be.
He said: “If I can change someone's mind about my subject or inspire wonder, I'll be happy. Perhaps one day I'll run into a former student who tells me all about their degree in Theology or Philosophy and the role I played in their decision to study it.”