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Further Education
The main function of the Diocese is to support chaplains, providers and students in Further Education establishments.
The main function of the Diocese is to support chaplains, providers and students in Further Education establishments.
There are a total of 6 FE institutions across the Diocese:
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Bournemouth & Poole College
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Kingston Maurwood College
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North Dorset Skills Centre (part of Yeovil College)
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Salisbury College
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Wiltshire College
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Weymouth College.
Each college has a slightly different emphasis, but between them they offer a range of A-level courses, vocational training (for example, hairdressing, engineering, land-based studies, literacy and numeracy.) Some of the FE Colleges also offer education to degree level (franchised from local universities). Generally, these are for 16-19 year olds who are entitled to this education without charge. However increasing numbers of adults are returning to learning, often sponsored by their employer, or perhaps because they want a change of career or better qualifications, often in the evening or even in their workplace.
Colleges take seriously their commitment to students.
In the words of one eminent FE practitioner, Ruth Silver:
“Of course, education is more than preparing people for employment and employability. Those of us who have spent our own working lives in the further education sector know that we also have a wider and deeper duty. This is to help our students and staff to develop a sense of well-being that is the foundation of the emotional resilience needed to deal positively with whatever challenges their careers and their lives ask of them”.
The chaplaincy team plays a key role in this. Typically the chaplain will be involved in:-
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1:1 pastoral and spiritual care of students and staff
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input into different areas of the curriculum or tutorials
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cross-campus events such as Fairtrade Fortnight, Holocaust Memorial Day etc.
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provision of a Quiet Room
While there is no entitlement for chaplaincy in FE colleges, increasingly chaplaincy is seen as a vital part in delivering the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of learners as demanded by Ofsted and in the pastoral care that they offer for students and staff.
The importance of chaplains in this role was recognised in the General Synod report ‘Pushing Further’ and in the subsequent debate in July 2006. The result is that the Church of England is now committed to playing our part in ensuring that there is a chaplaincy team in every FE College in England.
David Gent
National Development Officer (FE Chaplaincy)
Onwards and Upwards
