Goals of the Institute

The goals of the Institute are derived from the foundation missions of each of the partner institutions. We understand Christian education to embrace all the interactions between Christianity and education broadly understood. This Institute is an initiative of the Church of England.

The primary goals of the Institute are to:

• promote research to inform the contribution of faith to the public understanding of education;
• support and conduct research and development in order to strengthen the work of Christians in education together with the mission of Church schools;
• enhance evidence research-based policy decision-making in Church and faith-based educational policy;
• collect and analyse research data on Church and faith-based educational and training institutions, particularly on admissions, academic performance, and inspection reports;
• develop a theology of Christian education and research the mission and identity of schools and colleges;
• conduct research to support and evaluate education and formation in ministerial training.

To this end the Institute will:

• enter into collaboration and partnership with other institutions and bodies that have similar goals, particularly other faith-based higher education institutions and centres;
• seek external funding for research projects;
• provide national conferences, seminars, and consultancy on Church schools and the Christian dimensions of higher education;
• encourage Christians to consider teaching as a vocation;
• support the work of Christians in non-Church schools.

In particular, the Institute has a research agenda that includes: the mission integrity of Church schools; their impact on Church and society; how they contribute to the good of society; their distinctive and authentic principles in education; the kind of leaders needed for Church schools; and their impact on students.