Dean's Diary (From Worcester News)

Dean's Diary

8:14am Wednesday 9th April 2008

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Church schools are in the news again, with doubts being cast on the rigour of their admissions policies. In my experience of a number of Church of England schools in different parts of the country, I have always found that they administer their admissions policies carefully and conscientiously, balancing the requirements of their Christian foundation with the needs of the local community. There is, of course, only controversy about church school admissions policies at the moment because so many are over-subscribed; and that is what those who dislike church schools on principle find it hard to stomach.
Those who dislike church schools often find it hard to understand why the church is so committed to education anyway. They assume that the church must be trying to exploit education for sectarian purposes. But the church has for centuries been committed to education as part of its commitment to human flourishing. That is why it also pioneered health care in Europe, and art, and architecture, and music. That is why it is in the forefront of the hospice movement in this country today and famine relief in other parts of the world.
It is the commitment of the churches to education that led to the foundation, at different times, of King’s School, Worcester; the Royal Grammar School and Alice Ottley School; Bishop Perowne and Blessed Edward Oldcorne Colleges; as well as countless local primary schools. The church continues to play a part in the governance of some of these schools and is equally glad that others have developed a proper autonomy of their own.
This week, we celebrate another great educational initiative in Worcester. Our university installs the Duke of Gloucester as its first chancellor.
The Dean and Chapter of Worcester Cathedral are glad that the ceremony will take place in the Cathedral.
That is not because we think cathedrals are there to tell schools and universities what to do, but because we salute their commitment to human flourishing.