Church of England diocese “would rather accept the closure of a village school than see it remain open with a less Christian ethos”

The village of Ripley, in Surrey. By Colin Smith. Credit: wikipedia/creative commons: https://bit.ly/2x93FoT

A Church of England diocese appears to have accepted that a small village school should close, rather than let it continue operating under a multi-academy trust, which, the diocese fears, might downgrade its Christian ethos.

Ripley Church of England primary, a local authority school near Woking in Surrey which is in special measures, had been hoping that an offer from a local MAT, South Farnham Educational Trust, to take it over might see its future safeguarded, at least in the short term.

However, the Diocese of Guildford, which oversees the voluntary controlled school alongside Surrey county council, has rejected the offer. The decision came after the diocese’s own academy chain, the Good Shepherd Trust, turned down the chance to take on the school last year.