The Diocese of Guildford

Christian Education and the Anglican Church

There are fundamental reasons, rooted in the Bible and the lived experience of Christian faith, which have motivated centuries of Church involvement in schooling in this country and around the world. In 1811, the Anglican Church in this country, started to provide schools for local communities, which were open to all and with no charge. Today there are almost 5,000 Church of England schools in England and Wales, which are supported by the local diocese and in turn by the Church of England.

Throughout this proud history the Church has responded to changes and challenges as different models of state educational provision have emerged. In 2013, the Diocese of Guildford responded to the national academies and free schools initiative by establishing the Guildford Diocese Education Trust (GDET), which provides oversight and guidance as an overarching, ‘umbrella trust’ for all Church academy trusts established within the Diocese.

Our Trust Prayer

Lord God,

You have called your servants

to ventures of which we cannot see the ending,

by paths as yet untrodden,

through perils unknown.

Give us faith to go out with good courage,

not knowing where we go,

but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us;

Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Diocese of Guildford

For more information about Education in the Diocese of Guildford, please click here.

Diocesan Relationship to The Good Shepherd Trust
The diagram below shows the governance relationships within Guildford Diocese's academy structures.
If you would like further information, please contact the Diocese here.