What Even is RMPS?

About What Even is RMPS?

Welcome to What Even Is RMPS?, the podcast that gets to the heart of Religious, Moral, and Philosophical Studies . Each episode, we sit down with passionate educators to debunk the myths, break the stigmas, and have an honest conversation about what actually happens in an RME and RMPS classroom. You can follow along on social media @LearningRMPS or www.learningrmps.com

Publisher

Steph Whyte

Category

education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

23 Sept 2025

Latest episode

25 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

17 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   25 Sept 2026

   Inside my Classroom with Gillian Dunsmuir - Raising Attainment, Gamification, and Classroom Ethos.

   Welcome back to Season 2 of What Even Is RMPS? In our season opener, Steph sits down with Gillian Dunsmuir—tri-qualified RMPS, Modern Studies, and History teacher, Chair of the STARME, and recent Farmington Scholar. Gillian shares a detailed look at a "day in the life" of her classroom, from teaching 20-mark essay structures in Higher Morality and Justice using evaluation walls to using classic 1970s Roots episodes with S3 History, and establishing belief profiles with S1s. We delve into building a positive classroom ethos through cold-calling and "Show Me" boards, discussing the shift toward worldviews, and why sports stars like Rafael Nadal make brilliant growth mindset role models for pupils. Plus, we celebrate the launch of Gillian's brand-new book which you can order on Amazon now! Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode Gillian’s New Book: https://amzn.to/47jQy2s  (All initial profits go to Ayrshire Cancer Support) Learning RMPS Website: Visit learningrmps.com (www.learningrmps.com) for updated BGE resources, the self-driving car trolley problem game, and crime games! STARME Website & Free Membership Area: Access CLPL resources, "RMPS in the News", and Interfaith Week ideas at starme.co.uk (www.starme.co.uk) (Free to join!) RExChange Conference: Find out more about the upcoming RExChange conference hosted by Culham St Gabriel’s here (https://www.reonline.org.uk/free-cpd-and-events/upcoming-events/rexchange-2026/). Farmington Scholarships 2027/28: Apply for funding and dedicated research time via the Farmington Institute Website (https://farmington.ac.uk). Canva Templates: Search for learningrmps templates directly on Canva! Follow on Socials: Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook: @learningrmps

2. 

   14 Aug 2026

   Bonus Episode - What Even is RMPS? - Unpacking my Research Paper

   Welcome to a bonus episode as we bridge the gap between Season One and Season Two! In this episode, Steph announces the podcast's official rebrand to What Even is RMPS? to align with the Curriculum Improvement Cycle, and outlines updates to the LearningRMPS website. The core of today's episode is a breakdown of Steph’s Farmington Scholarship research paper: What Even is RME? Unpacking Religious Education in Scotland at a time of change. Skipping the 45-page read, Steph provides a direct summary of the challenges facing the subject and outlines practical, classroom-ready solutions to elevate RMPS across Scotland. In This Episode: The Rebrand: Why the podcast is now What Even is RMPS? LearningRMPS.com Updates: Check out the new personalised trolley problem game, Crime & AI resources, National 5 Revision Task generators, and a new structural tool for Higher students. Unpacking the Research: A look at the lack of Scottish RMPS research, the legacy of Graeme Nixon and Stephen Scholes, and the persistent issues of IDL tokenism and curriculum variability. As well as actionable solutions. Call for Guests! Season Two is coming later this term. You don't need to be doing anything revolutionary to come on the show- we just want to hear what's happening in your classroom. If you'd like to be a guest, email: learningrmps@gmail.com Read the Full Report: Read Steph's complete Farmington Scholarship research paper: What Even is RME? Unpacking Religious Education in Scotland at a time of change (https://farmington.ac.uk/scholars/tt538-what-even-is-rme-unpacking-religious-education-in-scotland-at-a-time-of-change/) You can also read Steph's original 2013 undergraduate dissertation at learningrmps.com (https://learningrmps.com/2026/07/10/what-is-rme-a-study-of-pupil-and-teacher-understandings-of-religious-and-moral-education-in-scottish-schools/). Connect with Steph: Socials: @learningrmps (Instagram, TikTok, X, Facebook) Website: www.learningrmps.com (http://www.learningrmps.com/)

3. 

   12 Jun 2026

   Season Finale with Stephen Scholes

   In this special finale episode, we look back on the journey of What Even Is RME? We reflect on the importance of "boots on the ground" research in the RMPS classroom and discuss how teachers can get involved in professional inquiry. We also have conversation on how we can continue to build a supportive community for RMPS educators. The Power of Small-Scale Research: Why you don’t need a massive dissertation to make an impact. Every small, classroom-based inquiry adds to the bigger picture. Funding Opportunities: A reminder that the Farmington Scholarship can provide the time and space (up to 30 days) to pursue your own research interests. Practical Classroom Tools: An introduction to the new National 5 Question Generator available on the website, designed to help frame exam-style practice. Community Building: Why we’re moving away from the "one-man band" feeling and toward a collaborative future for RMPS/RME in Scotland. The Website: www.learningrmps.com – Visit for the National 5 Question Generator and other classroom resources. The Farmington Scholarship: https://farmington.ac.uk – Information on research funding for teachers. Feedback: Do you use the website? I am planning a site-wide update this summer to make everything a "one-stop shop." Send me your thoughts on what you find most useful! Follow the Conversation: Connect with me on social media @learningrmps for clips, updates, and classroom snippets. Email Steph: Have a question or an idea for Season 2? Reach out at learningrmps@gmail.com. Guest Contact: You can contact Stephen Scholes at Queen Margaret University via email: sscholes@qmu.ac.uk. Thanks for listening to Season 1 of "What Even Is RME?"! Keep the conversation going, and I’ll see you all in Season 2.

4. 

   22 May 2026

   The Problem with RME? Unpacking Religious Education in Scotland at a time of Change

   This is the extended version of the presentation I made at STARME's Festival of Learning 2026! As you can see I had a lot more to say than my allotted 15 minute slot! I talk about my research as part of my Farmington Scholarship and what the key finds are and what the big solutions might be. I would love for you to join in the conversation @learningrmps or learningrmps@gmail.com

5. 

   8 May 2026

   Inside my Classroom with Ray Somerville

   This week on What Even Is RME?, I am joined by the brilliant Ray Somerville! Ray is a fantastic RME teacher based in Fife (who actually covered my maternity leave a few years ago!). We sat down for our very first in-person podcast record to talk about the realities of teaching RMPS, from 45-minute commutes fueled by musical showtunes to the weirdness of stepping away from the classroom mid-term for maternity leave. Ray shares some incredibly practical advice for navigating the BGE and Senior Phase, including why she champions open-book assessments for S2, how she successfully teaches Dream Psychology and Freud to S3s, and why you should treat your SQA questioning exactly like an order at a local bakery! Plus, stick around for a hilarious S1 Canva assessment story that proves you can never predict what teenagers will do with technology. In this episode, we discuss: S3 Electives & Core: Teaching Dream Psychology, exploring Freud, and why giving S3s a choice in how they are assessed (from posters to podcasts) transforms engagement in Medical Ethics. The Assessment Debate: Why Ray uses open-book assessments for S2 Evil & Suffering, and how it directly builds National 4/5 skills. The Canva Voice Note Incident: How an S1 assessment on the Prince of Egypt accidentally resulted in the wildest project title ever. The "Stephens Bakery" Hack: How to stop pupils from answering with "because that's my opinion" by channeling your local bakery and constantly asking, "But why?" New Teacher Advice: The absolute necessity of reading SQA course reports and Education Scotland documents to get candidates through their exams. Dream Guests & Mastermind: Why the Dalai Lama would win over the toughest S4 classes, the beauty of teaching Judaism, and some surprise Doctor Who trivia! 🎟️ STARME Festival of Learning: Tickets officially close TODAY! If you haven't grabbed yours, be quick. I will be hosting a session called 'How to Solve a Problem like RME?' where I take a deep dive into my recent research. Come along and say hello! 💬 The Faculty Debate: Thank you to everyone who got involved in the Instagram discussion sparked by the last episode regarding faculty structures and RME's place in the curriculum. Keep those thoughts coming! Join the Conversation: I would love to know: Are you Team Open-Book or Team Closed-Book for BGE assessments? Let me know your thoughts! Instagram/X: @learningRMPS Email: learningrmps@gmail.com

6. 

   24 Apr 2026

   Inside my Classroom with Laura Cleland

   This episode is an Inside My Classroom with Laura Cleland. Laura has been an RMPS teacher since 2001 and a Principal Teacher since 2007. We talk about her long-term journey in a one-school town and why she believes you have to be a little bold to lead a successful department. We discuss the S1 Integrated Social Subjects trial currently happening in her school. This is a fascinating look at a 5-period-a-week model where RME gets equal weighting to History, Geography, and Modern Studies to reduce the amount of transitions for their S1 pupils. Laura shares her method for senior phase success: Memory Mondays. We talk about how this simple, consistent retrieval ritual led to her department's best-ever National 5 results. If you are looking to boost attainment and retention, this is a must-listen. We also talk about making the BGE curriculum relevant for pupils. Laura explains her Cosmetic Roulette lesson for Animal Ethics - a brilliant way to make moral issues relevant by looking at the products already sitting in the pupils' own bags. Beyond the "Big Questions," we delve into the diverse range of the department, including their Early Learning and Child Care course. Laura proves that an RMPS department can be the home for everything from high-level Metaphysics to practical vocational skills like play based learning and first aid. In the introduction, I share some of the amazing feedback from our last episode with Jamie Woodhouse on Sentientism. (https://learningrmps.com/2026/04/10/what-even-is-sentientism-podcast-interview-with-jamie-woodhouse/)It’s been incredible to hear how many of you are already weaving these worldviews into your class notes! Finally, I mention my brand new Ethics in Sport unit now available on TES. (https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/ethics-in-sport-complete-10-lesson-bge-unit-s1-s3-level-3-and-4-13456985) It covers everything from doping to gender in sport; the first lesson is completely free to download. There is a charge for all 10 units to help support the running costs of the podcast and website. As always, please keep in touch! Join the great discussion on social media @learningRMPS or reach out at learningrmps@gmail.com.

7. 

   10 Apr 2026

   What Even Is Sentientism? Exploring a Non Religious Worldview with Jamie Woodhouse

   This week, I am joined by Jamie Woodhouse, who has been doing an absolute power of work building a global community for Sentientists. Sentientism is a fascinating non-religious worldview that broadens our circle of moral consideration to include all sentient beings, rather than just focusing solely on humanity the way traditional Humanism does. It was so refreshing to explore a new way to think about non-religious ideas, and there are so many brilliant concepts here that can be taken straight back to the RMPS classroom. We discuss what Sentientism actually is, how it applies to moral issues like Animal Rights, Justice, and Conflict, and even touch on the ethics of Artificial Intelligence—if a robot becomes sentient, does it have rights? We also explore how Sentientism could be used as an engaging non-religious worldview in the Higher Origins topic! In this episode, we discuss: What is Sentientism? The core pillars of evidence, reason, and compassion. Humanism vs. Sentientism: Where do we draw the line on who matters? Classroom Application: Using Sentientism to teach Animal Ethics, Justice, Conflict, and even Medical Ethics. The AI Debate: Should a robot have rights, and why we should probably be saying "please" and "thank you" to ChatGPT. Higher RMPS: Could Sentientism be the perfect worldview for assignments or the Origins topic? Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Jamie's Website: Sentientism.info (https://sentientism.info/) (Check out the highly recommended FAQ section!) RE:Online Guide: A Guide to Sentientism (https://www.retoday.org.uk/school-support/publications/samples/secondary-curriculum-book-new/) Get in touch with Jamie: hello@sentientism.info Previous Episode: Listen to my chat with Fiona Moss Updates & Housekeeping: New on the TES Store: I’ve just dropped some brand-new resources to keep your lessons highly topical, including units on Louis Theroux & The Manosphere, the Assisted Dying Bill, and Higher Sikhism. Picking up these bigger units directly funds the hosting for this podcast and the website—at least until the massive corporate sponsorships start rolling in! My TES Shop (https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/steph_calderwood11) STARME Festival of Learning: Tickets are officially available! Grab yours and come join the biggest gathering for RME and RMPS teachers in Scotland. Link to Tickets (https://starme.co.uk/fol26/) Join the Conversation: I would love to know: Would you consider including Sentientism in your curriculum as a non-religious worldview? Let me know your thoughts! Instagram/Tiktok/Bluesky/X: @learningRMPS Email: learningrmps@gmail.com

8. 

   20 Mar 2026

   Inside my Classroom with Terri Barry

   Welcome to Episode 9! This episode its an Inside My Classroom with Terri Barry. Terri is an RME teacher in Shetland and we talk about what drew her to the island and what teachign is like on the island. We discuss the joy of mentoring students and probationer teachers - this links nicely to my previous episode with Orlaith Payne. (https://learningrmps.com/2026/03/06/orlaithpayne/) Terri talks about using poetry to teach her S2 pupils about the Holocaust. We talk about the importance of teaching the Holocaust and how poetry has helped her classes become engaged in discussions and reflections. The holocaust. There are further resources for this on the Holocaust Memorial Day Website. (https://hmd.org.uk/resource/poetry-writing-activity/) We also talk about other forms of engagement including baking bread for seniors and delving into the archives for lesson ideas. Terri talks about her PhD studies, which she is currently undertaking at Queen Margaret University. If further study is something you are interested in, you can find out more on Culham St Gabriels Website. (https://www.cstg.org.uk/) Terri is a massive advocate for a worldviews approach to RME and embedding citizenship education into RME lessons. You can find out more about Citizenship Education here. (https://www.teachingcitizenship.org.uk/) As always please keep in touch, follow on social media @learningRMPS or learningrmps@gmail.com

9. 

   6 Mar 2026

   What Even is the RMPS PDGE? With Orlaith Payne

   Welcome to Episode 8! I can't quite believe we've hit this milestone already with even more episodes recorded and waiting in the wings! A massive thank you to all my listeners for your continued support and for validating this crazy idea of mine. This week, I’m thrilled to be joined by the brilliant Orlaith Payne from Strathclyde University. We’ve worked together on the Curriculum Improvement Cycle group, and she brings incredible passion to our subject, alongside a fantastically dry sense of humour. In this episode, we dive into: How the PGDE course prepares student teachers for the classroom and helps them defend the RMPS subject. Ideas for supporting primary students, including excellent resources from the Scottish Bible Society. Creative ways to use Bluey and Bingo to help teach RME. Orlaith's top three tips for mentoring and supporting student teachers in your department. Head over to the website to read the complete show notes! You'll find direct links to the Scottish Bible Society resources, the Bluey Instagram post we mentioned, and more information on Strathclyde University. LearningRMPS.com/orlaithpayne learningrmps@gmail.com @learningrmps

10. 

    20 Feb 2026

    Inside my Classroom with Jonas Christensen

    This week we are joined by Jonas Christensen. We discuss teaching philosophy, making use of the space to be inventive with teaching. Jonas uses a lot of gamification to make learning more engaging and we talk about teaching about Freedom of Speech. You can read more on the podcast notes on my website - https://learningrmps.com/2026/02/03/jonas-c/ Please share with collegaues and get in otuch @learningRMPS on social media or learningrmps@gmail.com

11. 

    6 Feb 2026

    What Even is Primary RME? with Chantelle Boyle

    Join us for a deep dive into the world of Primary RME with researcher and teacher Chantelle Boyle. From her PhD research on teaching moral issues to the practical power of "Dilemma Discussions," Chantelle shares how RME skills can be woven into almost any primary topic, even starting with something as simple as Newsround. We explore why these "tricky conversations" are vital for young learners and offer practical tips on where to find the best classroom resources. Note: Please bear with us for the first two minutes of audio; the sound quality improves significantly after the introduction! For the complete breakdown of this episode, links to Chantelle’s presentations read the full blog post on our website: https://learningrmps.com/2026/01/27/chantelleboyle/

12. 

    23 Jan 2026

    What Even Should we Be Teaching in RME with Dr James Holt?

    In this latest episode of the podcast, we are joined by Dr. James Holt from the University of Chester, a dedicated teacher educator and researcher whose work is transforming how we approach Religious Education. This conversation dives deep into the essential—and often challenging—decisions behind selecting which religions to teach and how to represent them with authenticity and depth. Key highlights from the episode include: Beyond the "Sexy" Bits: A critical look at the tendency to focus on "hooks" (like reggae or marijuana in Rastafari) rather than providing a holistic view of a faith's traditions and practices. Reflecting the Community: Why using local census data is vital for choosing worldviews that mirror the diversity of our own classrooms. The Boundaries of RME: A fascinating debate on "What is RME?"—including whether mythology and ancient religions have a place in the modern curriculum. Navigating Non-Religious Views: Exploring the nuance of "The Nones" and how to teach the diversity within non-religious perspectives. Resources: From James’s "Understanding" book series to his free CPD resources on Rastafari and the Latter Day Saints, there are countless tools mentioned to help boost your subject knowledge. There is so much to unpack in this episode, and these notes are just the beginning. To get the full breakdown of the resources mentioned and the pedagogical shifts discussed, be sure to read the detailed notes here: https://learningrmps.com/?p=2870 (https://learningrmps.com/?p=2870) We would love to keep this conversation going! After you’ve listened or read the notes, please reach out with your thoughts via email at learningrmps@gmail.com. Stay Connected:Don't forget to follow @LearningRMPS on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Bluesky for more updates and RME inspiration!

13. 

    9 Jan 2026

    What Even is the Curriculum Improvement Cycle with Ollie Bray

    This week's podcast, I am delighted to host Ollie Bray, Strategic Director at Education Scotland. Ollie is one of three strategic directors at Education Scotland and has responsibility for curriculum, pedagogy and innovation at Education Scotland. We talk about the Curriculum Improvement Cycle and the impact that will have on RME in the future. You can find more information and detailed show notes on my website - https://learningrmps.com/2026/01/09/what-even-is-the-curriculum-improvement-cycle-with-ollie-bray-podcast-notes/ (https://learningrmps.com/2026/01/09/what-even-is-the-curriculum-improvement-cycle-with-ollie-bray-podcast-notes/)If you enjoy this episode and want to follow mroe you can find me on social media @learningrmps or email learningrmps@gmail.com

14. 

    12 Dec 2025

    Inside my Classroom with Stuart McKinlay

    I am joined by Stuart McKinlay, RMPS teacher and chair of STARME. In this episode we discuss Holocaust Education with Generation 2 Generation Teaching Research Skills Why I was rubbish at helping at the school show. Top Tips for School Trips Full Episode notes are on my website - https://learningrmps.com/2025/12/12/smckinlay/

15. 

    28 Nov 2025

    What Even is a Religion & Worldviews approach? Deep Dive with Fiona Moss

    Join Fiona Moss (Education & Programmes Manager at Culham St Gabriel’s) and I, as we unpack what a Religion and Worldviews Approach looks like in real classrooms. We explore practical ideas for primary and secondary RME, tips for teaching non-religious worldviews, and how funding opportunities—like Culham St Gabriel’s scholarships and the Farmington Scholarship—can support teacher development. Find links, resources, and the full blog post at https://learningrmps.com/fiona-moss (https://learningrmps.com/fiona-moss) Continue the conversation on social media @learningrmps or email learningrmps@gmail.com. If you teach RME or Religious Education, this episode is packed with ideas to refresh your practice.

16. 

    14 Nov 2025

    Inside my Classroom with Marilyn Hamilton

    In this episode I talk to Marilyn Hamilton who shares all about a day in her RME Classroom. We discuss how Parent's Night is so important for RME, how you can use Homework to increase engagement and relationships, how to teach analysis skills to Highers and why relationships are so important in the RME classroom. You can read more about the episode here - https://learningrmps.com/2025/11/14/what-even-is-rme-inside-my-classroom-with-marilyn-hamilton-podcast-episode/ (https://learningrmps.com/2025/11/14/what-even-is-rme-inside-my-classroom-with-marilyn-hamilton-podcast-episode/) If you would like to learn more about my research and my work you can learn more at www.learningrmps.com (http://www.learningrmps.com)or follow along on Social Media @LearningRMPS Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579467934040) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/learningrmps/)

17. 

    23 Sept 2025

    Welcome to What Even is RME?

    Join us as we chat with RME teachers to pull back the curtain on the subject, breaking stigmas and revealing the real power of the curriculum.  Follow us @LearningRMPS and get involved: https://learningrmps.com/2025/09/03/what-really-happens-in-rme-a-new-national-survey-for-scottish-teachers/ (https://learningrmps.com/2025/09/03/what-really-happens-in-rme-a-new-national-survey-for-scottish-teachers/)

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