09 July 2011
New church
school admissions advice for Diocesan Boards of Education
published by the National Society and the Archbishops' Council
Education Division was officially launched at General Synod
today.
The guidelines - released to members two weeks ago -
provide an up to date national perspective on admissions and
aim to support the work of dioceses and schools in fully
recognising both the requirements of the most up to date DfE
Admissions Code and the Church of England's intention to foster
distinctive but inclusive schools.
The Bishop of Oxford the Rt Revd John Pritchard, Chair of the
Church of England's Education Division said: "As a Church, we stand
by our commitment to the founding ethos of the National Society -
established 200 years ago for the education of the poor in every
parish. We remain committed to both distinctiveness and
inclusivity, to serving both church families and the wider
community. Our schools' admissions policy and practice should
demonstrate this. Open places are now the norm in most church
schools including the new ones.
"The guidelines - based on widespread consultation with our
dioceses - give advice on how to juggle the dual responsibility. We
are not prescribing percentages (there will always be a range of
opinions on these) or specific admissions criteria, but offering a
framework.
"Of course, the vast majority of church schools serve the local
community by providing education for those of the Christian faith,
other faiths and no faith at all. It is only when a school is
oversubscribed that other criteria come into play. In each case,
admissions policies for church schools are set by the governing
body. As a national Board, we are simply offering advice."
ends