Working with Schools

Chris Hudson

Organized by the dioceses of Newcastle and Durham, the conference formed part of the continuing professional education for clergy who have been ordained and are now in their first curacy. The students come from a range of backgrounds and experiences and cover the full age-range, too.

The conference was about exploring the possibilities of parish - school relationships, finding out what they're for and especially about how you build them in the first place. Margaret Nicholson (Diocesan Director of Education in Newcastle) had brought me into the picture, and she 'fronted' the event with a passion. I did a PowerPoint presentation on 'Using your church as a resource' for school visits and took the audience through the series of steps necessary to make the event work. (Most of that is about understanding where the schools are coming from, and recognizing the educational and pastoral potential of church buildings and church members!) It seemed to be appreciated (especially a reference to Daleks, stairs and the need to think through every step...), and there was lots of discussion in small groups later. The Barnabas bookstall also drew plenty of interest. (My talk will turn into a more detailed feature article on the Barnabas website in July.)

In summing up, Margaret Nicholson later said something very interesting: that the Extended Schools programme (before-and-after-school 'wrap-around' care) 'has the potential to become the Sunday School movement of the 21st century'. Churches really do have an opening here to serve the emotional and spiritual needs of children in school on a regular basis - we just have to recognize it!

Hmm, much food for thought...

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