Church schools and Academies
The term Church schools refers to schools and academies whose foundation is in the Church of England. There are different types of Church schools status, whether the school be maintained or academy:
Voluntary Aided (VA)
Voluntary Controlled (VC) or
Foundation
Church schools' main goal is to serve all those of its community and country, regardless of any difference and diversity, through Christian participation and wisdom.
A Church school seeks to provide oportunities for all its members, learners, staff and volunteers to:
have profound, personal encounters with God,
to be able to explore the possibilities of a spiritual life,
to understand the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, and
to expereince the distinctive traditions and practice of the Anglican Church.
A Church school is not a faith school. It does not require its children, young people, families, communty or staff to proclaim or follow the Christian faith.
Through its Christian character a Church school:
- has a distincitive impact on the academic and personal development of its learners,
- underpins its policies and practices with the teachings of Jesus Christ
- supports, reshapes and refines its mission, vision and aims with Biblical and scriptual knowledge and reference.
The effectiveness of the school as a Church school is evaluated through the Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodists Schools (SIAMS) as well as through Ofsted inspection.
Links for further information about Church schools
Collective Worship
Religious Education
School Effectiveness
Reflective Spaces
Governance and Leadership
Chaplaincy
Parish and School Links
Useful websites
Education and the National Society
Christian Values 4 Schools
What if Learning
Prayer Spaces in Schools
Jubilee Centre - Biblical thinking for public life
RE Today