North West Theology and Religious Studies Centre launched

Pembroke has formed a partnership with Ashton Sixth Form College, in Ashton-under-Lyne, to establish The North West Theology and Religious Studies Centre.  This is the third ‘subject centre’ to be established by Pembroke, following the successful model of The East End Classics Centre (with Wadham College Oxford) at BSix Sixth Form College in Hackney, opened in 2012, and The North West Science Centre (with Corpus Christi College Oxford) at South Cheshire College, launched in September 2013.

Pembroke's subject centres all deliver academic activities, including seminars, lectures and summer schools, in subjects perceived by many to be non-vocational.  These centres are intended to reach a wide audience of students, teachers and the wider community in the areas where they are established. 

The North West Theology and Religious Studies Centre aims to raise the profile of Theology and related degree subjects among students who do not traditionally choose to pursue these subjects to undergraduate level, to introduce students to university-style learning, and to equip them to make applications to leading universities.  It was launched on 7th November 2013 at Ashton Sixth Form College, and the evening featured an inaugural lecture by Professor Graham Ward, Regius Professor of Divinity at Christ Church, Oxford, titled ‘The Myth of Secularism’.

More than 80 guests attended the launch, including the Deputy Mayor of Tameside, the Head of Theology at the University of Manchester, students and teachers from Ashton Sixth Form College and other local schools, as well as representatives from Faiths United Tameside and Understanding Islam UK, and tutors and students from Pembroke.  Dr Janet Nevin, Principal at Ashton Sixth Form College, said, “As someone totally committed to the furthering of academic skills and a love of learning, I am so pleased that we have been chosen to be the North West hub for the study of Theology and Religious Studies. The Centre is a testament to our commitment to develop and inspire our young people to be ambitious for themselves.”

The theme for the first year of the Centre is ‘War, Faith and Religion’ and the academic programme will begin in January 2014. It includes seven lectures delivered by academics from six universities: the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, Lancaster University, University of Manchester, University of Sheffield and Durham University. Titles include ‘Witchcraft, Women and Wars of Religion in Reformation Europe’, ‘Romance, Lies, Political Intrigue, and War in The Book of Esther’ and ‘Why on Earth have Christians Believed in Just War?’.

Smaller seminars will be held after many of the lectures to explore the issues raised in greater depth, and talks and discussion events will be hosted by Faiths United Tameside and Understanding Islam UK. Students will also be able to apply to join a Study Skills School held in London and a summer residential at Pembroke College. Activities are open to students at sixth form colleges in Greater Manchester and Cheshire, and the Centre will also provide outreach activities for students at local secondary schools.

Also unveiled on the launch evening was the new tutorial room at Ashton Sixth Form College (photo left). This space will provide a hub for university style teaching and learning.  Not only is it the base for Theology and Religious Studies Centre activities, but it also hosts a small collection of undergraduate-level Theology texts for students to use. In addition, it will be used for other Raising Aspirations activities, including tutorials and seminars, often delivered by visiting university lecturers and postgraduate students from Oxford and other universities.

Dr Peter Claus, Pembroke's Access Fellow, commented, “Pembroke is delighted to be in partnership with Ashton Sixth Form College and to see this Theology and Religious Studies Centre launched.  It is our hope that many talented pupils from across this region will get involved and find out for themselves how rewarding academic study and debate at university level really is.”