Reconstructing the teacher as a post secular pedagogue: A consideration of the new Teachers Standards

The new Teachers Standards draw upon the Prevent Strategy in foregrounding the upholding of fundamental British values as a central tenet in teacher work. This article explores the relationship between values, religion and Standards in teacher work. A consideration of the new Standards gives rise to the notion of teacher as cultural custodian, moral compass and upholder of the virtues. The cornerstone of Western liberal education-that education is essentially secular-is, arguably, challenged in the light of the new Teachers Standards, which have made a significant break with past Professional Standards. As such, this article considers the tension between the (contested) secular norm and the introduction of a professional and personal values dimension in teacher work. The model of teacher as post secular pedagogue is thus advanced in this article.