Every Church of England Diocese has by law a Diocesan Board of Education, constituted in accordance with the 1991 Measure of the General Synod. This Measure charges the Board with the promotion of education in the Diocese consistent with the faith and practice of the Church of England and, specifically, with the promotion of religious education and worship in schools. The Board also has a special responsibility for supporting Church schools and their governors. In order to do this effectively, it must work with a wide range of other bodies and organisations, including trustees of church educational endowments, parishes and Local Authorities, on any matter affecting Church schools in the Diocese. Another important responsibility of the Board is its work, in conjunction with the
Diocesan Children & Youth Work Advisory Team, with church youth groups and their leaders.
Membership of the Board
The York Diocesan Board of Education is made up of 28 elected, nominated and co-opted members drawn from the three Archdeaconries and representing both clergy and laity. It comprises:
· The Archbishop of York
· Four persons nominated by the Archbishop
· Two ordained and three lay representatives from each Archdeaconry (Cleveland, East Riding and York)
· Eight members co-opted by the Board for Church school links and other relevant experience
The Right Reverend Richard Frith, Bishop of Hull, is Chairman of the Board and the Secretary is the Diocesan Director of Education, Dr Ann Lees. Meetings take place three times each year and elections to the Board are held every three years. The Standing Committee of the Board, which meets four times annually, handles matters relating to property, trusts and finance. Other aspects of the Board’s responsibilities come within the remit of the Schools, the Children and Youth and the Higher and Further Education Committees respectively, and these meet at least three times each year.
Church Schools in the Diocese
There are 127 Church schools in the Diocese, of which 22 are aided, three are foundation and the remaining 102 are controlled. Primary schools outnumber secondary schools, as they do in all 43 Dioceses of the Church of England. There are four secondary schools in the Diocese, one in the Cleveland and East Riding Archdeaconries and two in the York Archdeaconry.
The geographical area covered by the Diocese is extensive and the schools come within seven Local Authorities. These are:
· City of York
· East Riding of Yorkshire
· Kingston-upon-Hull
· Leeds
· North Yorkshire
· Redcar & Cleveland
· Stockton-on-Tees
There are no Church schools in Middlesborough, though this too is within the Diocese. The Board and its schools work closely with these Authorities, Children’s Services and other partners to serve all young people in the Diocese, within and beyond formal education.
Support for Church Schools in the Diocese
The many different functions of the Board are carried out by a team of officers. They are:
Canon Dr Ann Lees Diocesan Director of Education
Susan Julian Assistant Diocesan Director of Education (Schools Development & Trusts)
Viv Todd Assistant Diocesan Director of Education (Educational Services & Schools Support)
Simon Quartermaine Team Administrator & School Buildings Officer
Celia Roberts Education Adviser
Sue Holmes Education Adviser (shared with East Riding of Yorkshire Local Authority)
The Revd Ashley Wilson Young Adults Officer (Cleveland Archdeaconry)
Jon Steel Children's Officer (East Riding Archdeaconry)
The Revd Nigel Chapman Children and Youth Officer (York Archdeaconry)
The Education Advisers support schools on Religious Education, Collective Worship and the development of their Christian ethos, particularly in preparation for and following SIAS (Statutory Inspection of Anglican Schools). The Director and Assistant Directors are responsible for liaison with Local Authorities, National Society and the Department for Education and Skills. They also represent the Diocese on a number of statutory bodies. Key aspects of their work are advising and assisting schools on matters relating to staffing, headteacher appointments, trusts, funding, governance and school development. The Administrator and Buildings Officer handles foundation governor appointments and the financial management of aided school building projects. However, the Board’s officers take a team approach to supporting schools, their staff and governors. The whole team also works with clergy, parishes, deaneries and archdeaconries to support and promote ministry among children and young people. All members of the team are always ready to offer help or advice and can be contacted at Diocesan House.
Canon Dr Ann Lees
Director of Education
01904 699511
admin@yorkdiocese.org
