What is a Church School?

What is a Church School? The former Archbishop of Canterbury explains :

“A Christian school is one in which the atmosphere has that kind of openness about it, that sense that people are worth spending time with, that people need time to grow, need loving attention. The Christian Gospel says that every person has a unique task to do, with God, and for God, whether they know it or not. It doesn’t necessarily mean that everyone involved has to share the same theology or philosophy. It doesn’t mean that everyone knows that they have this relationship with God, and is consciously working at it. But a Christian school is one in which the entire atmosphere is pervaded by a conviction that there is something mysterious, and potentially wonderful, in everybody.”

The key reference points that shape our narrative as a Church of England school are based on the words of Christ: I have come in order that you might have life – life in all its fullness. John 10:10

The Church of England’s Vision for Education. July 2016
https://www.churchofengland.org/more/education-and-schools/vision-education

“Education in schools… that allows children and young people to flourish in the widest sense.”

The Fruit of the Spirit. A Church of England Discussion Paper on Character Education. October 2015.

Valuing All God’s Children Guidance for Church of England schools on challenging homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying. Second Edition Autumn 2017.
https://www.churchofengland.org/more/education-and-schools/education-publications

The Church of England Education Office’s framework for the Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools (SIAMS)
https://www.churchofengland.org/more/education-and-schools/church-schools-and-academies/siams-school-inspections/new-siams