On Tuesday 22nd January, the Ellesmere Port C of E College were pleased to welcome Prof Clough to discuss with us issues surrounding animal welfare in food production and how we should consider the true impact of animal usage on the planet. 

Prof Clough is a leading international authority on the place of animals in Christian theology and ethics. He is the founder of Creature Kind which was established to engage churches and other Christian organisations in thinking about the implications of Christian faith for the treatment of animals, with a special focus on farmed animal welfare.  As well as publishing two books and being a lecturer at the University of Chester, he is also travelling to the USA to lecture there on his research soon. 

He was invited in by Mr Shelton as part of the Year 12 A Level Religious Studies course where they look at the ethics of Intensive Farming.  In this class however, it was immediately apparent that the conversation taking place had wider implications with the rest of the school community.  Consequently Prof Clough also met with a number of our Key Stage 4 Christian Value Representatives to discuss environmental sustainability within TEPCEC as well as catering.  From this thought provoking discussion further thinking must now take place.  We look forward to working with Prof Clough in the future taking some of these points forward.

Mr Shelton (Head of Religious Studies) said, “It is always great to have people visit our students and share their passions.  When this coincides with the clear vision and values we have as a school there are many exciting opportunities.  I am really pleased that the Philosophy and Ethics students have met a contemporary theologian who they were able to question as well as quote in their exam.  For the Christian Value Reps is was great for them to see how faith really can be put into action and change the world in simple ways.â€