RESS

Religious Education Support

The Religious Education Support service, a branch of the Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST), is funded by the Department of Education and Skills’ Teacher Education Section. This service offers continuing professional development (CPD) programs specifically designed for educators teaching Junior and Leaving Certificate Religious Education (JCRE and LCRE) in preparation for State examinations.

The responsibilities of the Religious Education Support include:

Organizing high-quality continuing professional development (CPD) activities, such as workshops, for teachers of Junior and Leaving Certificate Religious Education (JCRE & LCRE). These events are made accessible through local Education Centres.
Encouraging reflective teaching practices, fostering learning communities, and promoting the exchange of knowledge and skills among JCRE and LCRE teachers.

Working closely with school principals, teachers, the Department of Education and Skills (DES), the Religious Teachers Association of Ireland (RTAI), and other educational partners to ensure high standards in teaching and learning for JCRE and LCRE.
Assisting schools that are implementing JCRE and LCRE for the first time.
Publishing our professional journal, Teaching Religious Education, which provides valuable insights and resources for teachers.
Managing inquiries through our online forum on http://www.ress.ie/forum/ and maintaining our website to provide accessible resources and information.

The coordination of JCRE and LCRE Religious Education at the national level is led by Lorraine Gillespie, the Region 4 coordinator for the PDST, based at the Co. Wexford Education Centre. Angela Thompson serves as the R.E. Administrator, while Gary Carley, the key Associate, oversees the Support Team of Local Facilitators. This team develops and leads CPD workshops, addressing teacher inquiries through the online forum. The forum also allows registered R.E. teachers to connect, exchange expertise, and share best practices.

We encourage feedback, suggestions, and contributions of expertise from all members of the R.E. teaching community.