National Society agrees principles and working arrangements with Department for Education

19/04/2016

A framework for how Church of England schools will work with the Department for Education following the Education and Adoption Act 2016 has been published. The Memorandum of Understanding applies to all Church schools taking on academy status and to any statutory action to support, challenge or intervene in any Church of England maintained school or academy.

The MOU sets out the Secretary of State's commitment to sustaining the formal and statutory partnership between the Church of England and the state in education. The MOU secures the religious character of every church school and preserves the diocesan families of schools. The MOU goes on to set out working arrangements between Diocesan Boards of Education and Regional Schools Commissioners in the evolving education system.

Nigel Genders, Chief Education Officer, The Church of England said: 'We are pleased that ahead of any proposed legislation which will flow from the government's education white paper, and as a secure basis to ensure the on-going character of Church of England schools, we have now agreed the final version of a Memorandum of Understanding between the DfE and Church of England. This is based on the expectation that diocesan families of schools will work together.

The MOU ensures that the characteristics of a Church school are maintained and clarifies how Dioceses and RSCs work together to improve consistency. I am confident that whilst the education landscape is undergoing great change, the MoU will ensure that the identity and ethos of our schools can be secured for the future and we will now work with government in the development of any future legislation to ensure that the Church of England continues to make a significant contribution to the education of all the children we serve.'

Link to full text of the MOU: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/church-schools-and-academies-memoranda-of-understanding