Christian Schools in the UK
Christian schools exist in both the maintained (government funded) and independent (fee paying) sectors. They vary enormously in character; the only way to find out exactly what a particular school is like is to visit. The main categories are:
1. Maintained Schools
England and Wales
There are two types of church or denominational school.
- Voluntary Aided (VA) schools generally have a strong Christian ethos. They are usually Roman Catholic or Anglican. The religious education and worship reflect the church affiliation. The majority of the governors are appointed by the Church and the teachers are employed by the governors.
- Voluntary Controlled (VC) schools are mainly Anglican but are less closely affiliated to the Church than VA schools as the governors appointed by the Church are in the minority on the governing body. RE is taught according to the Agreed Syllabus of the relevant local authority. The teachers are employed by the local authority. However they are still church schools and will usually have a distinctively Christian ethos and provide Christian worship.
More details about church voluntary schools in England and Wales are available from the National Society for Anglican schools and from the Catholic Education Service or the Catholic Association of Teachers, Schools and Colleges for Roman Catholic schools.
Other types of Christian school are being encouraged by the Government. The two main categories are:
- Academies and City Technology Colleges are sponsored by individuals and organisations, although the vast majority of the finance comes from the government. A number of these are sponsored by Christian organisations or individuals. The group of three schools in the Emmanuel Foundation in the north east of England and The Oasis Academy in Enfield are examples of such initiatives.
- A new category of Trust School is in the process of being established. Each will have its own charitable foundation. Some of these will work in partnership with Christian churches and organisations.
Scotland
Denominational schools in Scotland are largely Roman Catholic, although most local authority schools will have a Church of Scotland or other chaplain linked to them.Northern Ireland
Denominational schools in Northern Ireland are also formally Roman Catholic, with the local authority schools often having a strong Protestant ethos. The integrated schools admit pupils from both communities. Most schools in Northern Ireland have a more distinctively Christian ethos when compared to those in the rest of the UK.2. Independent Schools
There are two types of distinctively Christian independent school.
- The longer established schools, often referred to as public schools and teaching a traditional curriculum. An example is Dean Close School in Cheltenham. Christian teachers working in these schools are supported by The Independent Schools Christian Alliance.
- Many of the newer Christian schools have been set up by local churches and endeavour to take a more directly biblical approach to the curriculum. An example is Christian Fellowship School in Liverpool. Christian teachers working in these schools are supported by the Christian Schools Trust.
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