Rural Church of England Primary Schools: Listening to Denominational Inspectors

Abstract

This article examines the roots of today's Church of England primary schools and some of the major legislation that continues to shape the state-funded dual system of church and county schools in England and Wales. Pressures on church schools and the long-standing controversy surrounding the dual system are discussed, as is the Church of England's response through its current plan of action. Key research into changes in teacher attitudes to the distinctiveness of church schools arrived at the striking and unpredicted conclusion that teachers working in church schools in 1996 were more positive in their attitude to the distinctiveness of church schools than teachers working in such schools in 1982. This is convincingly explained by linking the changes in attitude to the launch of the denominational inspection system, and its associated training, brought about by the introduction of the Education (Schools) Act 1992. The article draws on evidence from the denominational inspection system on the distinctiveness and effectiveness of church schools. Recent denominational inspectors’ reports are analysed to discover the quality of education provided by 58 small rural church primary schools in England. Conclusions about the education provided in these schools and ways forward for small rural primary church schools are offered. Possibilities for future research are given.