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Schools and the Church of England: Support for professionals

Other schools pages: Church schools; RE and collective worship

Teacher and governor training

There are eleven Church of England Colleges of Higher Education in the UK, which provide a wide variety of graduate, postgraduate and diploma courses, including Initial Teacher Training and PGCE. These colleges also offer distance learning and taught courses leading to:

the Church Colleges' Certificate in Religious Studies;
the Church Colleges' Certificate in Church School Studies;
a Postgraduate Certificate, Diploma or Masters degree in Church School Education.

Most dioceses and Local Education Authorities offer specific courses for governors, many designed for governors of Church schools.

Teaching in Church schools

Teaching in a Church school combines personal professionalism with a calling to teach within a Christian environment. Most posts are advertised in the educational or Church press. The Church of England does not discriminate on the basis of age, race or gender.

Section 23 inspectors

Church of England schools have their religious education and worship inspected under section 23 of the School Inspections Act 1996. The National Society has so far trained over 800 section 23 inspectors, who have been carrying out this task. In schools without a religious character the whole inspection is carried out by OFSTED.