Most of the ideas in this leaflet can be used by schools and parishes, particularly parishes which seek to serve their local school whatever its category. Some are more applicable to Church Schools with which parishes have a distinctive relationship and bear a special responsibility. Some of the ideas are more suited to the primary phase than secondary.

The ideas have been successfully adopted in parishes in this diocese and beyond; they are ‘road tested’; though of course not all are practicable in every situation. They are deliberately brief and suggestive: each must be adapted for local circumstance. The officers of the Diocesan Education & Training Team would be happy to support you in this process of discernment.

Much of what is suggested here is to do with developing and building thriving relationships through which the Good News can be encountered and celebrated. Schools offer churches unparalleled opportunities for contact not just with children and teachers, but with families and other adults. Where these opportunities are fully taken, the mission of the church always develops in lively and positive ways. Every parish will want to consider their relationships with their local school as they undertake their Mission Action Planning—even if there is no school in your village, there will be children in your local community who attend schools nearby, and this will tell you which schools your church community relates to.

I commend this leaflet to you as you develop your ministry to schools.

A significant part of my ministry is given to supporting the schools in this diocese. Schools are not just communities of learning, they are communities of faith and hope. I warmly commend this important leaflet to you as together we develop our ministry to the schools of this diocese.