Questions Schools Ask
- Does OPEN THE BOOK have an educational value?
- Heads and teachers like OPEN THE BOOK. It helps them to fulfill their statutory obligations for Collective Worship. It also contributes to RE by giving the children useful background knowledge of the major stories and events of the Bible. This is key to understanding so much of our country’s cultural heritage. Most RE teachers are very supportive.
- Will the storytelling volunteers try to "convert" the children?
- No! OPEN THE BOOK volunteers agree to abide by our Code of Practice. This means sticking to the educationally sensitive script in our handbooks. The teams offer a Bible story, not a sermon. The handbooks have been written with care and sensitivity by teachers and educators. We are simply contributing to the children's spiritual, religious and moral education by presenting Bible stories in a way that they will relate to and enjoy. Wherever possible, we involve the children themselves.
- Is OPEN THE BOOK suitable for multi-faith schools?
- OPEN THE BOOK is being used successfully in schools with wide ethnic and religious backgrounds. There is no coercive content. The weekly time for reflection is suitable for children of all faiths and none. No attempt is made to impose the Christian faith on a child. Whatever their background, children and teachers find it educational and fun. OPEN THE BOOK has proved popular in very varied Community and Church schools.
- Can schools buy the material for themselves?
- OPEN THE BOOK stories have been designed to be presented by teams of Christians from local churches, rather than by schools themselves. The teams put in much preparation beforehand and take time make the presentation interesting by assembling visual aids, costumes and special props. Our material is only available therefore to registered teams who agree to deliver OPEN THE BOOK in the prescribed way.
- How can we get a team of volunteers to come to our school?
- The first step is to approach one of your local churches. If they can't help, try another, or maybe the local Deanery or Churches Together. If that fails, try calling your area Children's Adviser for help (at the Diocesan Office). Often a team can be gathered from more than one church. Christian parents may also be able to help. If churches want to know more, they can always look at this website or get in touch with us to find out what is involved.
- What can we do if we can't get a team of local volunteers?
- Do keep trying! But if all else fails, we wholeheartedly recommend the Lion Storyteller Bible by Bob Hartman. This is the book we use for all our Year 1 stories and is great for reading aloud. A few simple props will bring these stories to life.
Do contact our National Co-ordinator if you would like copies of our leaflet "Information for Schools".