The
National Society (Church of England)
for Promoting Religious Education
Education
in the United Kingdom was, until the beginning of the nineteenth
century, the province of the wealthy or the clergy. Those
who had money would pay for the education of their children.
Things were to change, however, in 1811 when The National
Society for the Education of the Poor in the Principles
of the Established Church throughout England and Wales was
founded. The aim was to plant a Church school in every parish
of the land in order that the pupils may learn the Scriptures
and be given moral education. During the 19th century thousands
of schools were established.
The
State has taken over responsibility for education, since
that time, but there are still nearly 5,000 Church of England
and Church in Wales schools in the UK. There are also about
2,000 Roman Catholic schools. Almost one million children
attend state-maintained Anglican schools in England and
Wales.
What
does The National Society do today?
It continues to be an educational charity supported by contributions
from schools and individuals. It provides resources for
all those involved in Anglican schools and Christians and
teachers in all areas of education. The Society funds two
large Religious Education centres in London and York; organises
and oversees the inspection of the denominational aspects
of Church schools through the training of inspectors and
the production of an Inspection training manual; provides
legal advice to Church schools as well as guidance on curricular
matters.
The
Church Colleges of Higher Education in collaboration with
The National Society run a Master of Arts degree, a Post-graduate
Diploma and Certificates in Church School Education and
Religious Education for teachers in Church schools, those
moving into Church schools, chaplains, clergy, governors
and Education advisers. Learning is offered through taught
courses, distance learning and mixed mode courses. Assessment
is normally through assigned and elective essays and dissertation.
The
National Society meets the new challenge of the third millennium
in ways which would be beyond the vision of its founders
in 1811. January 2000 saw the launch of two new websites.
http://www.natsoc.org.uk,
a new internet initiative from the Society and Culham College
Institute. The site provides free access to materials and
resources for different acts of worship, providing teachers
with excellent help for their collective worship in both
primary and secondary schools. The second website is a vital
resource for all teachers, headteachers and governors. http://www.churchschools.co.uk
offers up-to-date information, excellent resources and vital
networks to all those involved in the Church school system.
The
Society's archive is a remarkable collection documenting
the foundation and history of over 15,000 Anglican schools.
It is a priceless resource for students of the history of
education in England and Wales.
The
Society publishes a wide range of support material for schools
and parishes and has recently created an annual fellowship
to support those teaching pupils with special educational
needs.
A
Popular fallacy
Church of England and Church in Wales schools are state
schools. The state contributes to them significantly, paying
teachers; providing books and resources etc. The Churches
contribute 15% of the building costs as they own the buildings.
This arrangement is unique in Western Europe and of course,
other churches and religions receive the same state support.
There
are also private or independent Church schools which receive
no state funding. The National Society is involved with
these independent schools in the development of their Anglican
ethos; they are not state schools.
Who
attends the state-supported schools?
Anglican
primary schools, usually for 4-11 years olds, are normally
local parish schools. They accept children from Anglican
and Christian families but, in the main, all children who
live near are willingly received. In some areas this will
mean the vast majority of pupils may be from another religion,
usually Muslim. This will be the case in many inner city
schools.
There
are relatively few Anglican secondary schools and generally
speaking their pupils come from Christian backgrounds. Some
of these schools will have a high percentage of African
and Afro-Caribbean pupils who attend Pentecostal churches.
A few secondary schools, however, have a very large number
of pupils from other religious traditions largely but not
entirely, Muslim with substantial numbers of Sikhs and Hindus.
The
current concern in the Church of England / Church in Wales
is that many pupils in Church primary schools are unable
to continue their education in Church secondary schools
because there are so few in number. The churches are considering
ways in which the numbers of secondary schools can be increased.
Why
have Church schools?
The Church of England and Church in Wales show the same
commitment to education that underpinned the founding of
The National Society nearly 200 years ago.
Education
and the provision of schools is regarded by the Churches
as part of their commitment to the nation. To be a partner
in the provision of schooling is to demonstrate the importance
of education in the life and health of the country.
The
other reason is to ensure that pupils and parents have every
opportunity to choose a Church school education. Nearly
25% of pupils attend a Church of England / Church in Wales
school at some time during their education.
The
Anglican and Roman Catholic Churches have a large stake
in the education system. For this reason the Government
consults closely with them on broad areas of concern including
the teaching of Religious Education in all schools, the
compulsory daily act of Collective Worship in all schools
and the shared concern for the spiritual and moral development
of pupils.
Conclusion
The National Society exists to promote and support Religious
and Christian education in schools and parishes. It has
been a constant force in Religious and Christian Education
for nearly 200 hundred years. It has earned and continues
to earn the respect of all those involved in and with Church
schools whatever role they have, teacher, governor, parent,
headteacher and pupil.
For
further details contact The National Society, Church House,
Great Smith Street, London SW1P 3NZ. Telephone: (+44) 207
898 1518. Fax: (+44) 207 898 1493. Email: info@natsoc.org.uk.
Web address http://www.natsoc.org.uk
Alan
Brown
Deputy General Secretary
Katie Lowe
Membership and Promotions Officer
