Section 1: Background Information

General Information

Nationally, approximately 25% of all primary schools are Church of England (CofE) schools, whilst some 10% are Roman Catholic (RC) schools. The proportion of CofE secondary schools is much smaller at only just over 6% whilst the figure for RC secondary schools is 10%.  Both of these churches are actively sponsoring an increasing number of academies.

Church schools seek to ensure that children and young people achieve their potential in a caring atmosphere that recognises and values each individual’s gifts and talents. This is largely no different from any other school’s purpose, but Church schools provide education for children in a religious environment.

Moral teaching in Christian schools is based firmly on the Bible. The schools promote the exploration of the Christian faith by the whole family, in order to develop better both spiritually and morally, and to be able to make a choice about Christian commitment. Within the schools the beliefs and practices of other faiths are respected, and all accept children from other faiths as equals in the school. In many areas the only primary school available to families is a Church school so parents may, if they so choose, withdraw their children from daily collective worship and RE lessons.

The different types of church schools within state education are:

• Voluntary Controlled

• Voluntary Aided

• Foundation (maintained by the LA)

• Academies 

Please see 'Related documents' at the bottom of this page for further information.