There are many different kinds of partnerships that we may enter into over the course of our lives, from marriages to businesses arrangements; some short-term others life-long. What they all have in common if they are going to achieve their agreed goal is mutual respect about what each partner brings to the relationship. The Church cannot claim an unblemished record in Education but it has also, throughout its history, done a great deal to positively foster learning. The Church provided the first free schools in this country and that commitment to education being available for everyone remains the foundation of the partnership we enjoy locally between the Church and Church Schools today. Recently the Church of England has produced a document entitled Vision for Education. This document is not just for those involved with Church Schools but is intended to contribute to a much wider conversation within our society. What should education for life in the 21st century look like?
Not surprisingly, for a Church Vision Statement at its centre is the promise Jesus made, that he had come to give us ‘life in all its fulness’. The vision unpacks what this abundant life might look like for people in Britain today by focusing on four goals for education which it suggests will equip people to live well. It says that education should be;

• for wisdom, knowledge and skills
• for hope and aspiration
• for community and living well together
• for dignity and respect.

This ‘vision document’ is being very positively received both in Church and state schools throughout the country. It articulates what many good teachers believe and is finally affirming the importance of what they do, by creating the bigger picture in which education debates can be understood.
In the coming months both the Church and our Church Schools hope to be able to engage in a conversation with our local communities about what excites us about teaching and learning today and what values our communities believe important enough to pass on to our children to equip them for life both now and in the years to come. Gill