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Justus for all

Justus for all

Up, up and away. The Archbishop of Canterbury launches a new church school in Kent

A new church school, officially opened by the  Archbishop of Canterbury last month, combats popular media perception that faith schools are sectarian and exclusive.

Bishop Justus Church of England School in Bromley, Kent, offers 50 per cent of places on the basis of religious commitment and 50 per cent community places without reference to religious commitment. It has been running for three years – during which its state of the art buildings were completed – but was opened officially by Dr Rowan Williams and Schools Minister Lord Adonis on 10th November.

TV presenter Diane Louise Jordan calls it a place which "without compromising its own beliefs," is an "inspiring model of embracing diversity".

Kathy Griffiths, the founding Headteacher, is certain that core Christian values are relevant to the education of all her students. Her effort to create a truly inclusive educational community has seen children of other religions growing in their faith.

“There are students here from a whole variety of Christian denominations, not just C of E, students from different faiths, and students without a faith background at all," she says. "They can all share in the school's vision and be assured that all members of the school community are equally valued and encouraged to contribute their ideas, abilities and understanding.”

Mrs Grffiths says she is "immensely proud" of what the school community has been able to achieve in the short time it has been going. She maintains that it has already become "well-established as a good school and a vibrant Christian community, with a palpable enthusiasm for the school, shared by students, staff, parents and carers and the wider community alike".