Candle Conferences

Well... pre-publicity for our 2019-20 events has now officially begun!
https://mailchi.mp/…/candle-conferences -2019-20-events-late…
We can now announce that three exciting new student events will tour England during 2019-20.
... 1) Year 13 (Language, November 2019) 2) Year 12 (Revelation, February-March 2020) 3) GCSE (Salvation, November 2019-March 2020)
Thanks so much to members of our "Friends of Candle Conferences" Facebook group for helping us to pinpoint exactly what to cover... we hope these sessions will work for most of you.
We will be updating our website over the holidays and launching online bookings early next term, while also finalizing details of teacher CPD and an new range of Bespoke events.
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A quick reminder that our unique revision webinars are coming up in the first half of next term. There is still time to book with or without the Y13 Revision event which is running on the 27th March (Manchester), 29th March (London) and 30th March (Online).
The webinars are FREE for those who attend the live or online revision events, otherwise the full series of four 90 minute webinars costs just £100 when booked before the 5th April 2019. Individual events cost £30 each....
Thursday 2nd May Arguments for God Thursday 9th May Religious Experience Thursday 16th May Natural Law & Situation Ethics Thursday 23rd May Applied Ethics & Euthanasia
Webinars may be attended live from 4pm-5.30pm on the day advertised (which gives students the opportunity to ask questions and participate in activities alongside others) or downloaded and played on-demand as .MP4 videos after the broadcast time.
Each webinar will focus on reviewing the content of key topics and on planning possible longer AO2 essays related to it. These really can save a huge amount of work for teachers and really work as a way of encouraging students to up their game!
To participate in these events, you need only a regular internet-enabled computer or device with a camera and microphone.
You receive a separate logon link for each event which can be purchased online using a credit card from https://www.tickettailor.com/events/candl econferences/227856
Each link can only be used by one computer or device, but there are no restrictions on how many people can be viewing that computer or device, so one link could be used by an individual or a full Year 13 class sitting in front of a projector and whiteboard - it is up to you.
Obviously, where a class is using a single link, only one person can interact with the presenter, so there will need to be a teacher or lead-student to take charge of this and marshal questions and/or answers.
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We just hit 400 likes! Thanks so much to all our lovely customers! 😍We just hit 400 likes! Thanks so much to all our lovely customers! 😍

Still time to book Year 13 #ALevelRS students on one of our unique revision events, coming up at the end of March.
Concentrating on important topics and scholars common to all four English examination boards (Philosophy of Religion and Religious Ethics papers only), sessions include useful guidance on planning and writing high-scoring AO2 essays, stimulating talks focused on typical essay-questions as well as essay planning activities and fun quizzes on content, with revisi...on and exam tips to begin and conclude the day.
● Manchester, Methodist Hall (27th March) ● London, Bloomsbury Baptist Church (29th March)
For the first time in 2019 “Revise A Level RS” will be streamed online on Saturday 30th March, enabling schools in other regions and those who cannot take two full days out of school in the same year to participate.
Revision tickets cost £25, including resources. Those who attend a “Revise A level RS” event (live or online) may also access our revision webinar series for FREE (otherwise minimum £100 for the series)
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More lovely feedback from recent events...
Coventry and Worcester Cathedrals really are very photogenic!

Lots of lovely reviews of our events posted in response to a recent question on the Save RE group...
It is wonderful to work with such lovely positive people! Peter and I are so pleased that you value our work 😃

RE Conference for Salesian schools in the South
Last week, students from Salesian School Chertsey and Salesian College Farnborough joined their peers at St John Bosco College (SJBC) Battersea to take part in a Religious Education conference led by theologian Dr Peter Vardy. The conference was a bespoke programme designed to supplement and reinforce what they had learnt in RE for their GCSEs.
Fr Andrew Ebrahim SDB, Head of RE at SJBC, said, "Peter was his usual inspiring self ...and was able to stretch the brighter students in a way that had a number of them toying with the idea of taking up Philosophy and Ethics in the sixth form. It was a great way for the Salesian Schools in the South to come together and spend quality time with each other in a useful way, and for some of the Year 11 prefects, it gave them the chance again to meet each other and build on their first meeting during the Salesian Prefects' Workshop held during the autumn term."
Salesian College Farnborough took 96 boys and 8 staff to Battersea. Their Head of RE, Charlene Enright, said, "the presentations were fast paced, entertaining and above all, highly valuable ahead of the GCSEs in May. We found it a very worthwhile experience from an academic perspective, as well as being able to see another Salesian school in action. Our students benefited from the day too, and it was so good to see them interacting with students from Battersea and Chertsey. We very much hope that this will be the start of more inter-school events; we have such an opportunity to come together with a shared Salesian ethos."
The verdict from staff and students from Chertsey was similarly enthusiastic. James Roberts, Head of Key Stage 4 RE, said, "It was great to get some expert insight into areas of the GCSE course, and the conference gave students an excellent opportunity for enrichment. Particularly enjoyable was the opportunity for the 3 Salesian schools from Battersea, Chertsey and Farnborough to join together in a celebration of learning. Here's to may more opportunities to form links in the future."
Written by Clare Lewis, Salesian College http://www.salesians.org.uk/savio-house.h tml
Book your Bespoke event here...
https://candleconferences.com/bespoke/
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Our great new #GCSERS event #Creation is visiting
Sedbergh (Cumbria) Ashtead (Surrey) Ipswich (Suffolk)... Walsall (W. Midlands) Bradford (W. Yorkshire)
after half-term in March 2019.
Specially designed to enthuse and extend your Year 10/11 students and recruit for A level Religious Studies, the event features sessions on important topics covered by ALL the exam boards.
We provide fantastic 32 page student notes as well, packed with information, learning activities and tips on answering those tricky AO2 questions.
Still only £15 per student with FREE teacher places (including refreshments)
Book your places directly at...
buytickets.at/candleconferences
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Don't forget to book your places for our upcoming #Creation #GCSERS events, which are visiting
Worcester, Bruton (Somerset) and London next week and then Sedbergh (Cumbria) and Ashtead (Surrey) and Ipswich in early March ... and then Bradford and Walsall at the end of March...
Our new CPD for teachers of GCSE RS is launching on 23rd May as well...
buytickets.at/candleconferences
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Just a couple of places left for our unique John Hick teacher study day in London on 2nd February. Professor Gavin DaCosta and Rabbi Dan Cohn Sherbok will join Dr Peter Vardy and Charlotte Vardy, so not one to miss!
https://www.tickettailor.com/even…/cand leconferences/163684/

Wow! Busy day!
Central London Creation #GCSERS with #DrPeterVardy now SOLD OUT places @HelloFreemens 7/3 though for those in SW London. Somerset 31/1 nearly full too...
50 places left 4 Year 12 Happiness? #ALevelRS event in London... get in quick!
... buytickets.at/candleconferences
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#DrPeterVardy gets about a bit!
Doncaster, Walsall, Battersea, Epsom, Elstree, Manchester & Newcastle then Worcester, Devon, Somerset, Bloomsbury x2, Cambridge, Coventry, Bloomsbury again, Manchester again and Oxford x2 this half term...
https://candleconferences.com/

Why not take the opportunity to book for one of our upcoming events?
"Creation" for students of GCSE RS will visit Manchester, Newcastle, Worcester, Somerset, London, Cumbria, Surrey, Ipswich, Bradford and Walsall this term, starting on 24th January. £15 a student (free teachers, with lunch), including brand new 32 page colour notes for each student and resources for teachers, including a free copy of our upcoming "Christianity:Beliefs and Teachings" teaching resources (rrp.... £30) for the first 100 schools to book (still a few to go).
"Happiness?" for Year 12 students of A / AS Level RS (also works if you want to bring a mixed sixth-form group) will visit Cambridge, Coventry, London, Manchester, Oxford, Bristol and Newcastle in February/March. £22 a student (free teachers, with lunch) including 32 page full-colour printed notes booklet, resources for teachers and a free copy of our "Religious Experience" teaching resources (rrp. £24.95) for the first 100 schools (still a few to go).
"Revise A Level RS" for Year 13 students of A Level RS will run in Manchester, London and Online in late March. £25 for a full day of interactive revision, resources, and free access to our four revision webinars, which run weekly from 2nd May until the exams (we changed the start-date because the original date was still in the holidays in some areas). Alternatively, the Webinar series can be booked separately for a flat fee of £100, unlimited numbers of students using one access link.
For teachers we have our John Hick study day in London on 2nd February and online on 9th March. With special guests Professors Gavin DaCosta and Dan Cohn Sherbok joining Dr Peter and Charlotte Vardy, this is fabulous value for £150, especially with the generous discounts for Friends of Candle Conferences that are available.
We also have our brand new teacher event launching in May. GCSE RELIGIOUS STUDIES: A NEW APPROACH (London & Harrogate) will explore how the new GCSEs can be re-planned to deliver a rigorous GCSE course that addresses issues with recruitment and retention that standard approaches to teaching have encountered and helps students to make the transition to the new A Level. £175 per place, including lunch and resources.
Full details of all these events, and of our Bespoke events, can be found at www.candleconferences.com
You can book directly online at buytickets.at/candleconferences
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Don't forget to book your tickets for our Year 12 A Level RS "Happiness?" event with Dr Peter Vardy before you stop work for the Holidays!
Covering:
1. The Problem of Evil & Suffering (with group-discussion)... 2. The Teleological Argument (with model essay) 3. Utilitarianism (with an essay-planning activity) 4. Euthanasia (with a lively debate)
the content is core Year 12/AS for all exam-boards and options, but delivered with the aim of enriching and extending learning, of making synoptic connections across the course and of developing the strong A02 skills students need as they move into Year 13.
Happiness? will visit:
Cambridge (5th February) Coventry (6th February) London (8th February), Manchester (12th February)
then
Bristol (13th March) Newcastle (15th March)
Student tickets just £22 (no late booking charges or other fees to pay) and including our exclusive 32 page colour printed notes-booklet, packed with learning activities, model essays and essay-plans, study-tips and reading lists as well as useful summaries of the topics.
Accompanying teachers get free tickets, free lunch and 12 months free membership of our "Friends" scheme, which provides excellent no-cost and discounted CPD opportunities, free teaching resources and more... The first 100 schools to book for our Happiness! events receive our outstanding new Religious Experience teaching resources (rrp £24.95) for free as well!
buytickets.at/candleconferences
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People often ask us to run events in their area, saying "it is so unfair that most things only happen in London or big cities..."
We listened!
We are running "Creation" GCSE RS events this Spring in Bruton (Somerset), Sedbergh (Cumbria), Ashtead (Surrey), Walsall (W.Mids), Ipswich (Suffolk) and Bradford (Yorkshire) next term, as well as in Central Manchester, Central Newcastle, Central Worcester... and Central London.
... Please make it possible for us to keep running events that are local to you and accessible to all students - and show your support for host schools - by booking your places now and/or letting us know that you plan to attend!
buytickets.at/candleconferences
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Great memories from our recent Year 13 "Faith" conference, which just finished in London last Friday. Thanks to all those who helped make it a success!

Bookings coming in thick and fast for our brand new GCSE RS event, with Dr Peter Vardy.
buytickets.at/candleconferences
Exploring core topics in Christianity: Beliefs and Teachings and Themes, common to ALL EXAM BOARDS, our aim is to extend and enthuse your students, supporting recruitment for RS A Level as well as boosting understanding and skills in preparation for GCSE exams.
... Including plenty of discussion opportunities, individual and pairs activities, typical 12/15 mark questions to plan and a lively debate, sessions cover:
1. Creation
What is the evidence for God as creator? What qualities would a creator have to have – and are these compatible with religious ideas about God? How do religious beliefs relate to Science? Should religious believers take Scripture literally?
2. In the image of God
What do religious people believe about the sanctity of human life? How do these beliefs translate into actions? How do believers deal with the tension between preserving human life and upholding its dignity?
3. Stewardship
How should human beings relate to animals, plants and the environment? What do religions teach about stewardship – and have they gone far enough in tackling the present environmental crisis?
4. Making babies
How should human beings make babies? Is marriage really the only appropriate context for sex in the 21st Century? Is the primary purpose of marriage to have children? Should religions change to accommodate contemporary western values?
Full colour, 32 page printed student notes are included in the ticket price and teachers receive 12 months FREE membership of our "Friends" scheme, providing no-cost CPD, resources etc. The first 100 schools to book will also receive a copy of our brand new Christianity: Beliefs and Teachings resources (rrp. £30) as well.
"Creation" will tour England through the Spring Term 2019, visiting:
Manchester (24th January) Newcastle (25th January) Worcester (29th January) Bruton Somerset (31st January) London (1st February, nearly full)
then continuing in:
Sedbergh Cumbria (4th March), Ashtead Surrey (7th March) Ipswich (8th March)
then
Bradford (22nd March) Walsall (26th March)
"“Our sincere thanks to Peter for the wonderful conference with Year 11s last Thursday. It was a massive success and the girls were enthralled and greatly inspired by him. He’s made our recruitment for A Level RS a whole lot easier!” Waqar Ahmedi, King’s Norton High School
https://candleconferences.com/gcse-rs/
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Bookings coming in thick and fast for our Year 12 A Level RS "Happiness" event with Dr Peter Vardy. Make sure you confirm yours before the end-of-term rush starts!
The aim of these events is to consolidate, enrich and extend learning, developing the strong A02 skills students need as they move into Year 13. We will cover:
1. The Problem of Evil & Suffering (with group-discussion)... 2. The Teleological Argument (with model essay) 3. Utilitarianism (with an essay-planning activity) 4. Euthanasia (with a lively debate)
absolutely core content for all exam-boards and options, and 32 page full-colour printed student-notes, packed with activities, tried-and-tested essay tips and summaries of the latest scholarship and points to use in analysis and evaluation, are included.
Cambridge (5th February) Coventry (6th February) London (8th February), Manchester (12th February)
then
Bristol (13th March) Newcastle (15th March)
Teachers get a free ticket, free lunch and 12 months free membership of our "Friends" scheme, which provides excellent no-cost CPD opportunities, teaching resources and more...
"Thank you for a great day yesterday; students talking meta-ethics until two fell asleep on the way home on the train!" Teacher “Outstanding A Level RS Conference” Newcastle.
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Welcome to all those attending Year 13 "Faith" at Newcastle Cathedral today!Welcome to all those attending Year 13 "Faith" at Newcastle Cathedral today!