The story so far...
Launched in 2016, the Christian schools worker role began as a joint initiative between the Methodist Church and the United Reformed Church, inspired by a shared vision to support and serve the school communities of Uttoxeter. With the backing of a local headteacher who shared this vision, the role officially began during the 2016–2017 academic year, initially serving three first schools.
The impact quickly grew. By the end of the second year, nine schools were actively engaged, and the network of supporting churches expanded in subsequent years—welcoming Renew Church in 2019 and the Church of England in 2022.
Working closely with school leadership teams, the Christian schools worker supports the development of Christian distinctiveness across the whole school community. This includes offering vision consultancy—guiding schools in shaping and embedding a clear, authentic Christian vision that informs school life, culture, and long-term strategy.
A wide range of projects and initiatives are also delivered, including Worship Assemblies, Conquerors Club, Think Tank, Worship Team, Chaplaincy, and the Oasis prayer programme. The role further strengthens links between schools and the wider community through service-based projects such as food bank drives, international charity partnerships, and school-wide initiatives—often supported by local churches working in partnership.
Since its inception, the role has served 25 schools across Staffordshire and Derbyshire and continues to grow in reach and impact, committed to nurturing the spiritual, emotional, and social wellbeing of children and young people.
