Bishops encouraged to go back to school

Bishops going ‘back to school’ for a day is just one of many ways the Church of England plans to celebrate 200 years since the opening of the first free church schools in England and Wales.

Preparations for the anniversary got underway this week with the launch of a new website, www.natsoc200.org.uk, giving tips and ideas about how the 5,000 Church of England and Church in Wales schools can get involved when celebrations officially begin on 20 February 2011 - Education Sunday.

As part of the celebrations, bishops are being encouraged to visit as many church schools in their diocese as possible and even sit in on lessons and compare their experience with their own memories of school.

Other ideas include planting fruit trees or a vegetable plot in the school garden or churchyard, collaborating with schools to create quiet spaces, painting murals, or holding community litter-picking events.

The first free church schools were opened in 1811 with the founding of the National Society for the Education of the Poor in the Principles of the Established Church, known today as the National Society for Promoting Religious Education.

The National Society was founded with the vision of establishing a school in every parish to provide education to those hitherto without opportunity, half a century before the State started rolling out free education.

The Bishop of Lincoln and Chair of the Church of England’s Board of Education, the Rt Revd John Saxbee, said: “The National Society story is well worth re-telling for a new generation. It is a story of faith, vision and determination to make education for all a reality in this country.

“We want to see this anniversary marked in every single church school across the land, not just for its own sake but because it gives young people some unrivalled learning opportunities across and beyond the curriculum: chances to consider what it means to be learning in a church school, how their school site was constructed and developed over time, artistic ways of creating lasting reminders of the anniversary, and so on.

“It’s also a prime opportunity for schools and academies to consider what more they can do to build links with other schools, both close to them and overseas, and how they can forge new mutually beneficial links with their community.”