In its 2018 publication, Embracing Change,
the Church of England highlighted the challenge for rural schools,
where delivery of education services is typically more expensive per
child than in urban areas, but emphasised its commitment to these
schools as part of a diverse national education provision. The report
highlighted the need to recruit excellent teachers and leaders, and to
find new ways of working collaboratively, aims which the new scheme will
help to progress.
The ten pilot dioceses are Leeds, York, Truro, Salisbury, Chelmsford, Norwich, Oxford, Hereford, Derby, and Bath & Wells.
The Bishop of Durham, Paul Butler, the Church of England’s lead bishop for Education said: “Children
in rural communities deserve excellent teachers, and this partnership
is about helping to ensure the best outcomes for children in every
community.
“More than a
third of the 15 million people alive today who went to a Church of
England school will have done so in a rural area, and will have special
memories of their time.
“We
are committed to running excellent schools in rural communities and
ensuring that children who live and learn there get to work with
fantastic teachers.”
Russell Hobby, CEO of Teach First said: “Rural
schools, particularly in areas with high deprivation, face complex
challenges. This means they can struggle to recruit and retain the
teachers and leaders they need for their pupils.
“This
partnership aims to break this cycle. Not only by getting teachers to
where they’re needed most, but by building powerful networks of support
around them to ensure they thrive. When we get this right, we can create
a fairer future for every child.”
Dame Alison Peacock, Chief Executive of the Chartered College of Teaching, said: "I
am pleased that the Chartered College of Teaching will be part of this
exciting initiative. It will shine a light on the expertise of teaching
communities in rural areas of England."
More information:
The Church of England’s rural schools:
- There are 4,644 Church of England schools
- 53 per cent of Church of England primary schools are situated in rural areas
- A quarter of all primary schools and over 200 secondary schools in England are Church of England.
- Of
380,000 pupils educated in what are classified as ‘Rural small or very
small’ (below 210 pupils) 60% are Church of England schools (228,731)
- Approximately 1 million children attend Church of England schools.
- About 15 million people alive today went to a Church of England school.
- With 250 sponsored and over 650 converter academies, the Church is the biggest sponsor of academies in England.
- Over 500 independent schools declare themselves to be Church of England in ethos.
About Teach First:
- Teach
First is an education charity with a mission to build a fair education
for all. Through a range of school leadership programmes, the charity
supports teachers, leaders and schools facing the biggest challenges,
serving the most disadvantaged communities.
- The charity has now
recruited over 15,000 teachers and leaders, has 75 head teachers
in its alumni and has supported over a million pupils.
- Those on
the Training Programme commit to a minimum of two years at their partner
school, where they teach a Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT) timetable; and
around half stay on for a third year. More than half of all the
teachers who’ve completed training since 2003 are currently teaching.
- The
charity supports whole leadership teams through Leading Together.
Develops individuals to become effective leaders through Middle Leader,
Senior Leader and Headship programmes leading to a National Professional
Qualification. And provides Career Leader training to develop a
long-term, school wide careers strategy to improve student opportunities
after school.
- Teach First currently operates in all regions
across England: London, West Midlands, East Midlands, Yorkshire the
Humber, North West, North East, South East, South Coast, South West and
the East of England.