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New Chairman for Church of England Board of Education and National Society

16 October 2002

The Rt Revd Dr Kenneth Stevenson, Bishop of Portsmouth, has accepted the invitation of the Archbishops of Canterbury and York to chair the Church of England Board of Education and the National Society Council, with effect from 1 April 2003.

The Bishop of Portsmouth will succeed the Rt Revd Alan Chesters, Bishop of Blackburn, as the Bishop with lead responsibility for the Church of England's policy on education.

The Bishop of Portsmouth said, "The world of education has always been close to my heart, whether it was as chaplain to Manchester University or working with local schools as Rector of Guildford. As I go around the diocese, I am constantly impressed by the dedication of those working in schools and colleges, often in challenging circumstances. I am very much looking forward to becoming chairman of the Board of Education and National Society, and to supporting all forms of education through my work in the House of Lords."

The Bishop of Blackburn said, "It has been an immense privilege to have been chairman of the Church of England Board of Education and National Society at a time when support for the Church's involvement in education, and not least in schools, has been given such strong encouragement. I am delighted to hear that the Bishop of Portsmouth has agreed to become chairman. He has much experience and many gifts to bring to this important task."

Canon John Hall, General Secretary of the Church of England Board of Education and National Society, said, "Dr Stevenson was a distinguished academic and parish priest before
he became Bishop of Portsmouth. He has been personally involved in the Church's educational work and spoken on education policy in the House of Lords. This is an important time for all those working on behalf of the Church in education; they will join me in welcoming Bishop Kenneth's active commitment and support."

Notes

The Right Reverend Dr Kenneth Stevenson (52) has been Bishop of Portsmouth since 1995 and, since 1999, a member of the House of Lords, where he has spoken on a wide range of issues including education. He was ordained in 1973 and has been, as well as a parish priest, an academic, gaining his PhD from Southampton University. On the basis of his publications, he was awarded a Doctorate of Divinity by the University of Manchester, where he had been chaplain and lecturer. He became a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society in 1991. During his time as Rector of Guildford (1986-1995), he was an influential member of the Church of England Liturgical Commission. He has published widely on the liturgy, which he has approached from a pastoral and educational perspective. He is a member of the Church of England Doctrine Commission.

Facts on Church of England Education:

The Board of Education's responsibilities focus on the Church of England's commitment to all aspects of education, voluntary and statutory, and for people of all ages.

This includes:
- the Church of England's 4,700 schools;
- 11 Church of England Higher Education Institutions;
- voluntary work in and through the parish churches with children, young people and adults;
- the Church of England's engagement through chaplaincy and by other means with Universities, Further Education colleges and lifelong learning.

The National Society, founded in 1811, was the Church of England's principal agent for the establishment of Anglican schools in England and Wales and continues to have an important role supporting those schools and their teachers.