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Declaring God’s Power to the next generation
Claire Wren writes on Oxfordshire Community Churches’ ongoing work in seeing God’s kingdom come in state schools around the county.
‘Even when I am old and grey, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come’ Psalm 71:18
This is my heart cry, and whilst we may not reach ‘all who are to come’ going to the schools in Oxfordshire will reach very, very many. There are probably hundreds of members of our family of churches who are involved in schools in some way as parents, pupils, teachers, teaching assistants, governors, support staff, dinner ladies and even perhaps lollipop men! If you do any of the above may God bless you as you seek His kingdom in your school.
There are also volunteers and church paid staff who go to schools to lead assemblies and run clubs of a more overtly Christian nature. To do this, a relationship between the school and the church needs to be established and nurtured. We have found, however, that schools are eager to form links with local faith communities. This has also led to collaboration between churches in a number of cases. For example, in Abingdon there are currently lunch clubs running in each of the state secondary schools. Games using blindfolds, sweets and flour are usually involved, and then over a biscuit and a drink, participants get the opportunity to discuss various issues whilst the leaders provide a Christian perspective. These clubs are made possible by the Desire network of Christian youth workers in Abingdon.
Oxfordshire consists of very many rural communities meaning that there are very many primary schools, many of which have fewer than 100 pupils. There are, therefore, a myriad of opportunities to take primary school assemblies. Debbie Newman has been working in the South of the county serving schools in this way. Debbie is currently on tour with a 24 inch high blue-haired puppet called Jean-Paul. Wide-eyed, children listen as the puppet learns that Jesus will always listen to them and will always care for them. Then with more passion than any of the contestants on the X-factor everyone sings “Our God is a great big God” to the amazement and amusement of the teachers.
You don’t, however, need a deep love of all things messy and advanced qualifications in ventriloquism to get involved! If we are to fulfil our mission to redeem society and education it is imperative we are interested in local schools. For support or prayer ideas, or to tell us what you are doing in your local school email clairew@occ.org.uk
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Local prize-winning pupil learns the art of survival Sarah Stedman, a pupil from the King’s School in Witney, was bowled over when she received a letter saying that she was one of the winner’s of a recent Ordnance Survey Competition. Her prize was a Bushcraft Day with BBC’s outdoor survival expert, Ray Mears.
“We met Ray in part of the Ashdown Forest near Tunbridge Wells. He taught us how to use our compass and get our bearings. We then took it in turns to lead the group. We walked down to a stream and into some caves." |
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"He showed us how to make fires without matches, and after lunch we learned how to track deer by listening to their calls. We found some stags with huge antlers. Our parents were very envious when we met them back at the hotel!”
Sarah and the other children won their survival day as the top prize in a national competition linked to Ordnance Survey’s Free maps for 11-year-olds scheme which sees ¾ million pupils receive a gift of an OS Explorer Map.
“Ray Mears was very friendly to us all and he is much taller than I expected!” said Sarah. |
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Shaping Oxfordshire’s RE lessons
We interviewed Steve Beegoo about his role on the Oxfordshire SACRE, shaping and advising on the teaching of RE in state schools across the county.
What is the Oxfordshire SACRE?
It stands for the 'Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education'! Catchy! It is a county council committee which advises the Local Education Authority and state schools, how and what should be taught in RE. It is made up of representatives from all the major faiths, and denominations, as well as teachers, head teachers and councillors. All county councils have a SACRE. It feels a bit like the UN sometimes with so many different cultures represented!
What do you do as part of SACRE?
There is no National Curriculum for Religious Education (RE), but each county produces it's own with the help of local faith groups and this is the main tangible product from the SACRE. You can see why it is a privilege to be involved. There are many pressures on schools in terms of what should be taught in RE. As you can imagine, there are a wide range of opinions and biases from the SACRE when you have Humanists, Bahais, Hindus, Charismatics etc... and so we have the opportunity to 'share a perspective' on what our members would believe is good content for the county's schools. An important part of our role on the SACRE is to support our LEA RE advisor, who is a part of a church in Oxford and handles such issues very wisely! |
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There is no National Curriculum for RE, but each county produces it's own with the help of local faith groups. You can see why it is a privilege to be involved. |
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The LEA and SACRE believe OCC's county wide presence warrant our involvement in advice to the county's schools. |
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How did you get involved with it?
Since 1998, Oxfordshire Community Churches have been invited to 'share a perspective' as a significant county wide regional faith group. Mike Beaumont and Sarah Watson have been our representatives in the past and I took over in June 2003. Claire Wren (OCC School's Worker) is currently involved as our 'standing deputy'. |
Any specific things you've seen happen as a result of your engagement with it?
On some occasions certain groups want to make changes to what is taught, or how the SACRE works. It has been important for us, along with other Christians to 'share our perspective' and disagree where necessary! We also have the opportunity to share our faith, modelling a humility towards other denominations and faith groups, which in turn honours the Lord.
What about the wider picture?
RE nationally has gone through some low points, with few qualified RE teachers or RE being seen as of lesser importance. Many schools do not meet the statutory requirements for the teaching of RE or in gathering for 'Collective Worship'. Consequently the spiritual life in state schools is really coming under scrutiny, but this is a complicated issue. Some schools are very healthy spiritually, but many, especially secondary, are sadly devoid of such life. It is important for Christians to be involved in state schools in both the staff complement, as governors, volunteers or in offering to come in as visitors. Schools often lack the human resources, practically or spiritually, to be able to offer faith-filled assemblies, or relevant lessons that will inspire rather than bore pupils in their consideration and search for God.
One or two prayer points?
• OCC has always believed in a two pronged approach to seeing God's kingdom in education. We have the excellent witness and bright 'light' of our Christian Schools, but also we need the 'salt' in the system. Pray that Christians will get involved in the education of our nation's children. And let's pray for the teachers! Why shouldn't the majority of the state RE teachers of the future be spirit-filled Christians!?
• Please pray for wisdom and boldness for our RE advisor! She has a lot to cover and helps lead the SACRE extremely well with the help of our Jewish chairperson.
• Finally pray for your local schools and the children of your community. Christ's desire is to let these children come to him. Let us pray for the removal of all that might hinder them from knowing Him.
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