Administration: Education Service
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Lancaster Diocesan Education Service  

 

The Education Service, through the Diocesan Board of Education and Formation, are committed to education and personal formation in the Faith as a lifelong process. In partnership with parishes, individuals and schools, the Service aims to encourage adult understanding, community growth and spiritual development.   

 

How the Service Operates   

The Lancaster Diocesan Board of Education and Formation is an agency of the Diocese of Lancaster and works on behalf of and is responsible to the Diocesan Bishop and Trustees of the Diocese.  As a diocesan agency its work must be integral to and consistent with the overall educational mission of the Diocese, approved by the Bishop and Trustees.

The purpose of the Board of Education and Formation of the Lancaster Diocese is to advise the Bishop and Trustees on strategies and policies relating to education and formation, agree action and oversee the management of the Diocesan Education Service.

Members of the Board:

Right Reverend Michael Campbell OSA, Bishop of Lancaster;  Chair - awaiting appointment;  Canon Luiz Ruscillo (Head of Service), Miss Christine Smith (Secretary), Mrs Victoria Ashfield, Mrs Trudi Denham, Mrs Lyn Garbarino, Mr Simon Gillespie, Mr Leonard Hampson, Rev Michael Murphy, Rev Anthony Walsh, Mr Michael Glover

Contact: educationservice@lancasterrcdiocese.org.uk

Under the guidance of the Diocesan Board of Education and Formation the Education Service functions as an integrated unit with responsibilities for all aspects of the Diocesan educational mission in:    

  • 99 parishes    
  • 73 primary schools 
  • 11 secondary schools 
  • 1 sixth form college   

 

Mission Statement

 

 

 

The diocese seeks to proclaim, promote and witness to:

  • the relevance of the Gospel
  • education as a lifelong process
  • the Church’s unity in Christ

The diocese seeks to promote education which encourages:

  • adult understanding
  • spiritual development
  • personal maturity
  • community growth
  • respectful dialogue

In practice the Diocesan Education Service seeks to:

  • provide encouragement, support, advice and practical assistance to those concerned with their own or other people's educational needs;
  • offer coherent, consistent and relevant advice informed by the teaching and tradition of the Church;
  • develop and structure appropriate learning opportunities both locally and at The Education Centre, Lancaster.
 

 

 

 

 

What the Service Offers to Parishes  

The Service provides adult education in catechesis and formation and offers support and training in response to identified needs at deanery and parish level.  This includes:     

We also give on-going professional support and advice in regard to:   

  • catechetical resources for parishes, groups and individuals    
  • catechists, group leaders and others    
  • planning and administration of the Rite of Election    

Contact: secretary@lancasterrcdiocese.org.uk

 

What the Service provides for Schools  

On behalf of the Bishop and Diocesan Trustees, the Education Service:   

  • receives, monitors, consults and responds to DfES initiatives; 
  • provides documentary guidance on ecclesial and statutory matters; 

  • delivers structured Catholic training for serving and aspiring senior leaders,  R.E. teachers, and others;

    • supports the Bishop in the fulfilment of canonical requirements relating to Catholic schools;
    • supports and monitors provision for Religious Education;    

In support of those directly responsible for schools, the Service:    

  • gives individual support to Headteachers, Clergy and Governors; 
  • plans and facilitates structured opportunities for consultation and policy development by the Diocese and Schools; 

  • consults, plans and provides an on-going programme of continuing professional development for:    

    • Headteachers    
    • Deputy Headteachers    
    • Secondary R.E. Teachers    
    • Primary R.E. Co-ordinators    
    • Newly Qualified Teachers    
    • Teachers new to Catholic schools    
    • Governors    
    • School Chaplains    

In regard to meeting the Diocese's statutory responsibilities, the Service:    

  • appoints Foundation Governors;    
  • provides on-going support and training for Governing Bodies; 
  • represents the interests of both the Diocese and schools by professional  liaison with Local Authorities; 
  • represents the Diocese to DcSF, OFSTED and HMI in procedures to recover  schools from Special Measures or Serious Weaknesses; 
  • manages, administers and monitors 'Section 48' Inspections on behalf of Governing Bodies and the Diocese;  
  • facilitates the work of the Diocesan Schools Building Committee.    

  

DIOCESAN EDUCATION SERVICE

CONTACT DETAILS:

 

Head of Service: Rev Canon Luiz Ruscillo

Email: educationservice@lancasterrcdiocese.org.uk   

 

Parishes:

Consultant Parish Facilitator: Miss Christine Smith

Email: LancasterCatechist@live.co.uk

Schools: 

Principal Officer Schools Management:

Mr Alex Scott   

Email: alex.scott@lancasterrcdiocese.org.uk  

 

Schools Religious Education: 

Adviser - Secondary RE: Mr Anthony Finnerty  

Email:anthony.finnerty@lancasterrcdiocese.org.uk  

 

Adviser - Primary RE: Mrs Jacqueline Hampson  

Email: educationservice@lancasterrcdiocese.org.uk   

Adviser - Primary RE: Mrs Margaret Wright  

Email:  educationservice@lancasterrcdiocese.org.uk   

 

Administration:

Mrs Heather Watts   

Email: heather.watts@lancasterrcdiocese.org.uk   

Mrs Hilary Harling   

Email:secretary@lancasterrcdiocese.org.uk

 

Address: The Education Centre, Balmoral Road, Lancaster LA1 3BT 

Tel: 01524 841190   

Fax: 01524 846258   

Website: http://www.lancaster-diocese-education.org.uk

Online Learning: http://vle.dles.lancsngfl.ac.uk

 

School Buildings:

Schools Capital Programme Consultant:  Mrs Janice Beck, Tel: 07849063106, Email: janicb3585@btinternet.com


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