THE Church of England’s place in education received a boost from the , Michael Gove, this week, when he proposed the creation of more C of E schools and academies.
Recently criticised for measures seen as downgrading religious education, Mr Gove took the opportunity to praise the part played by the Church in education, on Monday, after he was asked by the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Tony Baldry MP, whether he had read the recently published Chadwick report on the church schools of the future (News, 23 March).
Mr Gove said: “We praise and cherish the role of the Church of England in making sure children have an outstanding education. I welcome the report, and look forward to working with Bishop John Pritchard to extend the role of the Church in school provision.”
Bishop Pritchard, who chairs the Board of Education, said that Mr Gove’s remarks were encouraging. “I look forward to continuing partnership with government and extending the reach of church schools in the emerging educational landscape,” he said.