Church Foundation
In the field of education within our rural region the DHMAT has a vocational mission of Grace and Service which helps us to support our Families through education. Our Trust welcomes all children, families and schools.
A light for Grace, Service and for Family. What does this mean?
A Light of Grace - The Loving Parent
Seeing each single person through God’s eyes.
A Light of Service - The Good Shepherd
We exist to serve the children and families of our diocese by providing an inclusive and inspiring education.
A Light for Family - Togetherness
We recognise the importance of family life at the very heart of our diocese, especially for our children.
We are a family of schools that share a common purpose - to give the children of our diocese the best possible start that we can. We are here to develop qualities of character that enable our children, together, to flourish, respecting human dignity and with an appreciation for the worth of each person. Ours is an education which builds bridges and which enables all of our children to live life in all its fullness.
How does the history of church schools’ impact on this?
Church schools were set up in 1811 when the National Society for the Promotion of Education was founded. Church schools were and are, ‘A community school with a distinctive Christian character.’ Long before the government became involved in providing education for everyone in our country, the Church of England had a vision that it wanted every parish to have a school for the education of children.
From the earliest days, the purpose of Church schools was to enable children to flourish by providing a basic education and by developing their moral character. It was always intended that Church schools should be open to all of the children of the parish. Church schools are not ‘faith schools’ in the sense of presuming that children are practising Christians or attempting to make converts of them. However, the ethos of the schools is based on distinctively Christian values through the experience that they offer all pupils.
What does this mean for the future of DHMAT?
We are entrusted with continuing to promote that initial mission. We are a family of schools, church and community, who work together to enable us to fulfil our vision. It is that inclusivity, that togetherness, which embodies what we do. We are here for everyone and seek to work with everyone for the good of all. Church schools were set up over 200 years ago and we believe that it is our duty to work collectively so that the foundation of our education system is strengthened both now and in years to come.