St Andup says:
Blackburn is outstanding - as the first Anglican StandUp Diocese. Very
many thanks to Bishop Nicholas Reade for taking the lead and inviting all
parishes and schools to be counted in.
The Diocese of Blackburn encompasses most of the County of
Lancashire, the unitary authorities of Blackburn with Darwen and Blackpool,
and part of the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan. There are 211 parishes and
260 Churches within the Diocese, divided into two archdeaconries and served
by the Bishop of Blackburn and his two suffragan bishops of Burnley and
Lancaster.No other Diocese of the
Church of England has such an extensive commitment to Church Schools. It has
158 Voluntary Aided and 22 Voluntary Controlled Primary Schools, 9 Voluntary
Aided Secondary Schools and a Voluntary Controlled Secondary School. Schools
range in size from 1500 pupils in the largest Secondary School to small
Primary Schools in rural communities with less than 30 on roll.
The Diocese, like the Church of England
nationally, believes that Church School Education stands at the centre of
the Church's Mission and rigorously promotes the distinctive nature of the
Church Schools.
Church Schools endeavour to ensure that a
Christian perspective informs all aspects of life. This is reflected in the
promotion of Christian belief and values throughout the whole curriculum,
the high priority given to worship and Religious Education and in the
Christian nurture and care afforded to all members of the school community.
The staff of the Diocesan Board of Education
provide a considerable and growing range of services to the schools of the
Diocese; governor training, advice on the implementations of DCSF
initiatives and the preparation of policies, advice before and after
inspection, an inspection service for "denominational" education, support
for Religious Education and school worship, with legal advice, practical and
financial help with school buildings, negotiations with the Local
Authorities, other service providers and the DCSF. In addition, staff of the
Diocesan Board of Education work closely with the University of Cumbria and
keep a watching brief for the small number of Church Schools of neighbouring
Dioceses.
A co-operative approach has been developed
with the Methodist Church and its Education Officers for the support of
Methodist Schools in the North West Districts. There is also very close
liaison between the Church of England Dioceses within the North West which
operate through a joint company DBE Services Limited.
Again, very many thanks - and well done for
Standing Up Against Poverty
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