What is a Church of England School?

Long before the Government became involved in providing education for everyone in our country, the Church of England had a vision that it wanted every parish to have a school for the education of poor children. By 1900, there were 5700 state-funded schools and 14000 schools funded by the Church of England. Today, approximately one in four of all primary schools have a Church of England foundation, through which they strive to provide the highest standard of education possible, in partnership with the Government and the Church.

What is the purpose of a Church of England School?

From the earliest days, the purpose of Church schools was to enable children to flourish by providing a basic education and by developing their moral character. It was always intended that Church schools should be open to all of the children of the parish. The schools are not ‘faith schools’ in the sense of presuming that children are practising Christians or attempting to make converts of them. However, the ethos of the schools is based on distinctively Christian values and they will offer children an experience of faith through collective worship and links with the parish church. Religious Education in Church schools will always include teaching about other faiths and they will usually follow the same syllabus for RE as non-Church schools. Since 2010, some Church schools have been converted into academies. However, this process entails a new way of managing the school apart from the Local Authority and makes no difference to the way in which the foundation of the school is lived out on a day -to-day basis.

Why is a Church of England school special?

Church schools have Christian beliefs and values at their heart. This means that every child and adult associated with the school is not just important because they are members of the school but also because they are seen as unique individuals within God’s Creation. Everyone is seen as so valuable in God’s eyes that everyone must be supported and encouraged to be the very best they can be. Church schools recognise that as well as academic and emotional intelligence, human beings also have spiritual intelligence. The spiritual aspects of life will be recognised and nurtured alongside the academic and the emotional needs of all. Church of England schools are places where questioning of belief and non-belief is encouraged as we all try to make sense of the world, the gift of life and the purpose of our own personal lives. Although we live in an increasingly secular society, the values of our country have their roots in the Christian faith. Church schools continue to celebrate this as an aspect of the heritage which enables them to be successful places of learning for children of all faiths and none.

What differences should you notice?

There are 100 church schools in the Diocese, which covers Dudley and Worcestershire Local Authorities. As a pupil, parent, visitor or member of staff you should feel that the way in which the school works is different and distinctive. The distinctive difference will be rooted in Christian values that affect the way everyone behaves and the way everyone is respected. At Offenham Church of England First School our Root values are friendship, perseverance, respect, responsibility and truth. Our Root values can be seen in action across our school life together. We desire for all of our children to develop deep roots so that they are resilient, able to flourish and produce abundant fruit in their own lives and to serve the common good. Galatians 5:22 refers to the fruits as the visible signs of growth and transformation. The fruits are – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control.

Around the school, there are signs and symbols which reflect the distinctively Christian nature of our school. Throughout the day there are opportunities for children to pray. Prayers are shared at lunch time and the end of each day. We also share the Lord’s Prayer and many liturgical phrases. Our school vision of Love, Transformation and Growth is reflected in all that we do. Additionally, there will be a much greater emphasis on links with the local parish church than would usually be the case in a non-church school.

What else?

Church schools are encouraged to:

• · ensure that the school is led by a Head teacher who is committed, with the help of staff, to establish and maintain the Christian character of the school in its day to day activities and in the curriculum
• · engage meaningfully in a real act of Christian worship every day
• · offer a school life that incorporates the values of the Christian faith
• · ensure that religious education is given at least 5% of school time and that the character and quality of religious education are a particular concern of the Head teacher and the governing body
• · observe the major Christian festivals and in schools in which other faiths are present ensure that those faiths are able and encouraged to mark their major festivals with integrity
• · maintain and develop an active and affirming relationship with a parish church
• · proclaim that it is a Church of England school on its external signboard and on its stationery and make appropriate use of Christian symbols inside and outside the school.

Please see below the Church of England vision for education and our Multi Academy Trust vision. There are also some links that you may find useful.

	Vision Statements Church of England Vision for Education DoWMAT VISION
	St Mary & St Milburgh, Offenham - Worcestershire | Diocese ... https://www.achurchnearyou.com/offenham-st-mary-st-milburgh/ St Mary & St Milburgh, Local information about St Mary & St Milburgh, Offenham and the parish of Offenham: St Mary & St Milburgh, services times, pictures, maps ...
	Evesham Abbey Trust Take a look at the work of the Evesham Abbey Trust in conserving and preserving the site of Evesham Abbey. https://www.eveshamabbey.org.uk
	Church of England Education https://www.churchofengland.org/more/education-and-schools https://www.churchofengland.org/faith-action/faith-home

Children, Youth & Education - The Church of England ... http://www.cofe-worcester.org.uk/children-youth-education/ In this section you will find information about the Diocese of Worcester’s work in schools and tertiary education, adult education and children’s and youth work.

	Lectio 365 A daily prayer resource for your family  https://www.24-7prayer.com/resource/lectioforfamilies/
	iSingPOP:Schools,Churches & Communities brought together ... http://www.isingpop.org/ iSingPOP: Innervation Trust's Primary School Singing, Recording & Performance Project.
	Praying Each Day http://www.prayingeachday.org/reflect.html Gives a reflection and prayer specific to each day of the year.
	Messy Church https://www.messychurch.org.uk/