Canons in conversation

Join two priests from Westminster Abbey for a thought-provoking conversation as they explore your pre-submitted questions on faith, belief, ethics and the philosophy of religion linked to GCSE and A level Religious Studies.

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Hear Canon Theologian The Reverend Dr Jamie Hawkey and Canon Steward The Reverend Jennifer Adams-Massmann from Westminster Abbey in conversation as they discuss some of your questions linked to GCSE and A level Religious Studies courses. Discover how different Christians understand ethical and philosophical issues, and how similarities and differences can enrich faith, understanding and debate. Schools are invited to submit the questions for discussion.

Suitable for: KS4 and KS5
Date: From Thursday 15th April 2027 
Duration: Approximately 60 minutes
Format: This is a recorded session on YouTube. A link will be emailed on the day. 
Cost: Free (booking required) 

Photograph of two priests, a male and female, looking at the camera and smiling, wearing ornate clerical robes of gold, white, red and blue
Photograph of Last Supper image, with Jesus handing out bread and wine to disciples, on mosaic about the High Altar of Westminster Abbey
Photograph of gold crucifix, showing Jesus on the cross, within St George's Chapel of Westminster Abbey

Learning objectives

  • To appreciate how Christians personally reflect on theological, philosophical and ethical issues 
  • To hear how two priests would respond to theological, philosophical and ethical issues 
  • To build an understanding of the rich tradition of Christian scholarship and debate when considering their responses

Curriculum links

A level Religious Studies 

  • AQA: 
    Component 1: Philosophy of religion and ethics 
    Component 2B Christianity 
  • Cambridge OCR:
    Component 01: Philosophy of religion 
    Component 02: Religion and ethics 
    Component 03: Christianity 
  • Pearson Edexcel:  
    Philosophy of Religion 9RS0/01 
    Religion and Ethics 9RS0/02 
    Study of Religion 9RS0/4A-4F – Christianity 4B 

GCSE Religious Studies 

  • AQA: 
    Component 1: The study of religions: beliefs, teachings and practices 
    Component 2: Thematic studies 
  • Cambridge OCR: 
    Beliefs and teachings & Practices - Christianity J625/01 
    Religion, philosophy and ethics in the modern world from a religious perspective - Christianity J625/06 
  • Pearson Edexcel: 
    Study of Religion 1B or 2B and  
    Philosophy and Ethics 3B Christianity 
  • WJEC Eduqas: 
    Route A Components 1 & 2 
  • CCEA: 
    Unit 2: The Christian Church with a Focus on the Protestant Church 
    Unit 3: The Revelation of God and the Christian Church 
    Unit 6: An Introduction to Christian Ethics 
    Unit 7: An Introduction to Philosophy of Religion 
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Frequently asked questions

Canons Hawkey and Adams-Massmann will tackle as many pre-submitted questions from participating schools as they can in the time. Both are priests in the Anglican church so their answers will be broadly from that tradition, but will inevitably reveal a range of opinions. If appropriate, each will give their thoughts and discuss similarities and differences in their thinking with the aim of demonstrating the breadth of opinions held by Christians, which are not to be viewed as in competition with each other but serve to enrich and inform. 

The event will be pre-recorded and will be shared on 15th April 2027. A link will be sent to the booking email address. Teachers may share this with students to watch at home or watch together in class. 

This session is free to attend for schools and home educated families, but advance booking is required. In order to confirm your place, follow the booking link and complete the form. 

Please have the following information ready: 

  • Your school (or home educator name) and postcode
  • Your name and school email address
  • The number of students who will be viewing

After completing the form you will be sent a booking confirmation. The YouTube link will be sent on 15th April 2027. 

Schools are asked to submit questions linked to GCSE and A level RS courses. These can be on Christian theology, faith or practice, philosophy of religion or ethics or anything else linked to GCSE or A level courses. 

Please submit questions by 12th February using this link.

We ask that you only submit one question per form. We aim to get through six to eight questions in the 60 minutes so cannot guarantee your question will be asked. 

Prepare your students with the types of questions they could ask or explore previously recorded answers with these six videos:  

We have a wide range of resource to support learning related to GCSE and A level Religious Studies. 

If you have any questions or would like any further information, please contact [email protected] 

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