What is the difference between C of E and non- C of E schools?

[Lovefruitsandvegs]

I wan to see whether there is difference in education, behaviour policies etc. Thank you.

[BranchingOut]

As teacher it always amazed me how individual and distinct all schools are, as what tends to set the ethos of a school is the HT and the years of built-up tradition and practice.

As a general guide:

All schools are required by law to have a daily act of Christian worship, but in a non faith school this may be based around general morals/principles. Schools can apply for an exemption if they are very diverse and can demonstrate that other faiths are in a majority.

All maintained schools must teach the national curriculum plus RE, but exactly how they do it is determined by the individual policy of the school, set by the HT, staff and governing body.

The syllabus for RE in community schools (non faith schools) is determined by each local authority, to reflect the needs of the local population. However, it must cover all major world faiths, although the degree to which it does so and what is covered is, again, locally determined.

As far as I recall, faith schools determine their RE syllabus, but legally must also give some coverage to other faiths.

Admissions policies will be different, especially in voluntary controlled schools.

Behaviour policies are not likely to be massively different - they always tends to focus on not hurting others, working hard and following the school rules! - but the tolerance of what is acceptable or not again is set by the HT.

[Lovefruitsandvegs]

Thank you BranchingOut for clarifiying things for me. I see that there is not much difference really.

[DilysPrice]

Depends, sometimes nothing, sometimes everything. Some C of E schools have a 75% Muslim intake.

[mummytime]

C of E schools tend to use a Diocesian RE syllabus rather than the LA one (but I think they can choose to use the LA one if they want, at least in our Diocese), both cover multiple faiths. There are some general funding differences for VA schools (new builds they have to find 10% of the costs). There is an additional inspection after OFSTED, which just covers the RE provision. They may have church attendence as part of their admission criteria.

Otherwise they are just the same as other schools, and just as variable. I know a predominantly Muslim one, some where religion is no different from the neighbouring community school, and some where Christian ethos permeates the whole school day (but still teach and respect other faiths, and has several pupils of other faiths etc.).

[GrimmaTheNome]

I see that there is not much difference really.

CofE schools can vary considerably. So can non-faith schools, but I've never heard of a child being told off by a HT for not attending church at the latter.

[teacherwith2kids]

The difference between the 'most religious' C of E school and the 'most secular' non C of E school is vast.... but then, I have been in secular schools which are much more overtly 'Christian' in flavour than many C of E schools...

As a rough rule of thumb, if the C of E school is the only school in the area (many village schools are C of E) then they are unlikely to be very overtly religious in character, partly because they are schools for the whole community and will often admit anyone from the catchment. However, in an area where there are lots of schools, particularly where the C of E school is perceived as good, then the C of E school is likely to be more 'distinctively Christian', and may well have church attendance as part of its admission criteria.