Written within each school's Instrument of Government is a clause about its Christian Distinctiveness. For example: "Recognising its historic foundation, ___ Church of England Primary School will preserve and develop its religious character in accordance with the principles of the Church of England at parish and diocesan level."

Another reads: This "Church of England Primary School aims to serve its community by providing an education of the highest quality within the context of Christian belief and principles.  It encourages and understanding of the meaning and significance of faith and promotes Christian values through the experience it offers to all its pupils."

And another says that this "Church of England School provides education in accordance with the principles and practices of the Church of England. Worship, religious education and spiritual development are at the heart of every aspect of the work of this school."

From these comments and many others contained in the Instruments of Government for all our schools, we can see that 

• our schools are steeped in history, some from the earliest days of the Church of England's involvement in education
• each school is a product of and a servant to its local context - each is unique to its place and community
• all our schools strive for academic and personal learning, as well as spiritual and community growth and strength
• our schools draw on the Church of England's Vision for Education, a document which promotes "education in schools, colleges and universities that allows children and young people to flourish in the widest sense, and quotes John 10:10 "I have come in order that you might have life - life in all its fullness"
• our schools benefit from a range of contacts with local churches and members of the clergy
• our wider diocese offers further experiences and support for both children and school staff
• our diocesan Education Team offers a range of services, training opportunities and bespoke services to schools
• our schools aim to develop an understanding of faith but are not 'faith schools': they aren't telling children what they must believe
• our schools teach about a range of faiths as well as non-religious world views and encourage open questions and discussion
• through Jesus' example, children learn to discuss calmly and listen carefully, as well as to express themselves clearly
• our schools are caring and supportive to children with a range of different needs; they are inclusive and welcoming places
• Christian values run through all aspects of school life; this will be evident from each school's vision statement to aspects of day-to-day life such as the curriculum, playtimes, policies, assemblies and Collective Worship, after-school activities and so on.

RE, Collective Worship and spiritual development are crucial to developing a successful ethos within church schools. Collective Worship must be carried out in accordance with national policy and each school's trust deed. In VA schools the Governing Body must agree the RE syllabus. Each school develops its own approach to spiritual development, though the diocese Education Team can support with this.

More information will be added as we update our website.