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 Our vision is to ensure that every child and young person in our Diocese is at the heart of mission, having the opportunity of a life-enhancing encounter with the Christian faith and the person of Jesus Christ; that they reach their God-given potential and are an integral part of churchlife.
We believe that schools remain at the centre of the Church’s mission to the nation, the heart of local communities, for children of all faiths and none. We aim to promote distinctive, inclusive communities of learning that seek to be underpinned by Christian values sourced in the Gospel narrative, enriching the whole educational experience.
We believe that all human beings are made in the image of God and are precious and valued in God’s sight. In schools we commend a distinctive approach, serving young people in ways that relate to their humanity in all its fullness.
By enabling leaders in Christian schools to interpret faith for their communities, we acknowledge and confront our responsibility to safeguard the vulnerable, those marginalised by society, living out Kingdom values of justice and mercy.
Principles
- The Canterbury Diocesan Board of Education (CDBE) acknowledges the overarching considerations for Admissions to Church of England Schools published as Board of Education/National Society Advice to Diocesan Boards of Education (June 2011). This is placed carefully in the context of church school heritage, mindful of changing times and changing circumstances, in which the CDBE seeks to promote distinctive, inclusive schools.
- The CDBE believes that Church of England schools and academies have a dual purpose; to offer a Christian education to the children of Christian parents whilst fulfilling the Church’s historic mission in the practical expression of its pastoral responsibility to all children in the local community, irrespectiveof faith.
- Given the mission imperative that underpins the Church’s provision of schools, each organisation must hold in balance the nurture and service roles, mirroring the Church’s own purposes in both building up those of the faith and of serving and reaching out to those not of the faith. In individual schools the balance will depend on ethos, history and tradition and local circumstances.
- Church schools must have regard to their responsibility to beliving Christian communities, strongly related to the local community and demonstrating wider inclusivity. The CDBE encourages the policy of offering open and foundation places, which ensures that local children who are not connected with the churchare able to gain admission.
Useful links
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