Church schools 'set higher standards'.

Byline: ERYL CRUMP

SCHOOLS with a strong Christian ethos perform better than other schools, according to a major review on education by the Church in Wales.

The 168 Church in Wales schools - which have more than 20,000 pupils across the country - set high academic standards and provide an environment in which children flourish, the report claims.

The study, the first undertaken by the Church in Wales into its schools, was published at the Governing Body meeting of the Church in Wales at Lampeter yesterday.

It looked at all aspects of the Church in Wales' involvement in education and schools, including religious education and collective worship.

The study challenges claims that faith-based education is selective.

It found almost 80% of Church in Wales schools serve the children in their locality without regard to their parents' faith position.

It also highlights the significant commitment of time and energy given by parish clergy across Wales, showing that three-quarters of them are involved in their local schools.

Welcoming the findings, the Archbishop of Wales, Dr Barry Morgan, said: "This review clearly shows how schools with a strong Christian ethos nurture and encourage our children and help give them the best possible start in life.

"That is why Church in Wales schools are successful and why there is a strong demand for places at them," Mr Morgan added.

The Bishop of St Asaph, the Rt Rev Gregory Cameron, who has responsibility for education, added: "The Church in Wales believes in education.

"Not just Religious Education, or 'Church School' education, but the best education possible for every citizen of Wales.

"The education review is designed to focus the energy of the Church to serve the nation of Wales by supporting the highest standards of education."

The report sets out a five-year work programme for the Church in Wales to ensure it continues to make a full contribution, through education, to the well being young people across Wales.

It recommends that the Church in Wales develops a better Wales-wide strategy to support schools, increases provision through the medium of Welsh and engages more with young people in Further and Higher Education.

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