The Church of England is the largest provider of faith-based schools in the UK and has representation in around 80% of further education colleges. So, what is its current role in education and what is its long-term vision?

The Reverend Nigel Genders CBE is Chief Education Officer of the Church of England. In this conversation, he explains how the Church strives to work for the ‘common good’ in education; the link between Christian vocation and vocation in colleges; and the challenges the Church has faced in expanding its work in FE.

We look forward to your company for the last episode of this series, as we conclude our focus on equity, diversity and inclusion.

About Nigel Genders CBE

The Revd Canon Nigel Genders is the Church of England’s Chief Education Officer and Chief Executive of the National Society. Nigel leads the work of the Church of England Education Office which serves the church’s ministry with children and young people in churches, schools, colleges and universities. The Church of England provides 4,700 schools educating over a million children and is committed to a vision for education which is deeply Christian, serving the common good.

Nigel’s role in education has developed throughout 31 years of ordained ministry working in a variety of roles, including: vicar, school chaplain, governor of a university, chair of governors in primary and secondary school, Director of Education for Canterbury Diocese, Head of School Policy for the Church of England and he has been Chief Education Officer since 2014.

Nigel was awarded the honour of CBE in the King’s birthday honours list in June 2023.

Resources

• Visit the Church of England’s Education and Schools webpages here.
• Download the transcript for this episode here.