The following figures and commentary are as of January 2006.
Since 1811, the Church of England has focussed its school provision through a charitable trust called the National Society. It works in partnership with the Education Division of the National Church Institutions and several staff are shared.
From 1811 to 1860 the National Society founded 17,000 schools to offer education to the poor at a time when the Government was not prepared to take on the role.
From the 1850s onwards church and state operated in a de facto partnership for school provision which endures to this day. The Church of England has been joined by the Roman Catholic Church, other Christian denominations and, in more recent years, by other faith providers. This joint provision is called the Dual System.
With the huge demographic changes of the late 19th and 20th centuries, the proportion of children in Church of England schools has of course fallen. Currently 25 per cent of primary pupils are in Church of England schools and just more than six per cent of secondary age children. Both these percentages are now increasing.
In particular, since the publication of the Dearing Commission report in 2002, the Church of England has committed itself to increasing its secondary provision. This is partly so that children who had spent their primary years in church schools could have a reasonable chance of continuing with the Church of England in secondary education, and partly because the Church has renewed its commitment to the education of all children – partly through its own schools and partly through its influence on the secondary sector as a whole.
The initial commitment of the church was to an extra 100 secondary schools. Of these 32 are now opened or expanded (including four academies): 12 definite projects are signed up (including three more Academies): 66 possibilities are under serious discussion (including a further 33 Academies).
The Church of England feels that it can offer something special to communities:
· Its 200 year record in sustained educational provision and development
· Its commitment to community development through its parish structure and through its wide-ranging local partnerships with both the voluntary and statutory sectors
· Its understanding of the personal value of individuals leading to an emphasis on both personal achievement (leading to employability) and personal development (leading to rounded personalities aware of their creative potential)
· Its links into the business community, government and the powerful/wealthy (leading to investment and the creation of employment and leisure opportunities).
The Church is fully aware that provision is not enough; we must look at quality education and must not simply rely on Local Authorities to deliver quality for us. Both nationally and regionally, the Church of England has increased staff and changed the balance of staff to support achievement. It has also undertaken research in order to produce a secure base to judge improvement.
The Church of England dioceses are and will remain partnership players. The Dual System is not a divided system. Church of England schools and academies will always be part of the Local Authority family. Of course there will be family disagreements and ups and downs from time to time, but the fundamental relationship has endured and will endure. It is built into our structures and philosophy.
All Church of England schools are also inclusive. All those listed in the provision trends for example are neighbourhood schools, taking all local children. Nationally we work in close partnership with other faith providers and have dozens of schools which in practice educate mainly Muslim children. We are about to develop a small number of structurally multi-faith schools with other faith colleagues. This was referred to in the House of Lord’s in mid-January 2006 and commended by peers. We strongly argue that faith schools can be significant contributors to community cohesion and are not divisive.