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12th November 2015 Rev'd Canon Prof Richard Burridge, Dean of KCL 1
The 2015 Dearing
Memorial Lecture
CHURCH FOUNDATION,
PLURALIST PRESENT,
UNCERTAIN FUTURE?The role and calling
of faith-based
institutions in
Higher Education
today
In this 7th lecture in memory of Lord Dearing, after a
brief Introduction, we will look at three main parts:
Church Foundation,
Pluralist Present,
Uncertain Future?
My purpose is to examine the role and calling of faith-
based institutions in Higher Education today and the
contribution the Cathedral Group might make to HE.
We are facing a crisis in HE today, so first we need
some scene setting – how did we get here?12th November 2015 Rev'd Canon Prof Richard Burridge, Dean of KCL 2
Introduction
“Universities today have a moral obligation to
assist our fellow human beings in a global context”
Context: King’s College London senior leadership
‘retreat’ to consider our ‘vision’ for next 25 years
‘retreat’ and ‘vision’ spiritual, even religious, words
Going away into silence? 200 yards, consultant
As Dean, I referred to our Anglican foundation, yet
many nervous about doing so in our world today
Dominant consideration was student satisfaction in
the world of £9,000 tuition fees – ‘NSS is king’!12th November 2015 Rev'd Canon Prof Richard Burridge, Dean of KCL 3
Introduction
Discussion was part of a debate which goes back to
Socrates arguing in the Agora, and Plato’s Academy
Newman’s The Idea of the University 1852, 1887
Robbins Report on HE, 1963 – ‘common culture’
7th Memorial: Various Dearing Reports
1994 on the National Curriculum
1996 Exam system, bringing schools
and technical training closer
2001 Church schools for Synod
2007 Languages in schools12th November 2015 Rev'd Canon Prof Richard Burridge, Dean of KCL 4
Introduction
1997 ‘Higher Education in the learning society’
Involved 240 meetings and 380 public submissions
Nearly 2,000 pages and 93 recommendations
Vision for next 20 years
A ‘learning society’
Discussed HE purpose
‘main business’ of HE
Addressed HE funding
‘Graduate contribution’ -
but recouped through income contingent means12th November 2015 Rev'd Canon Prof Richard Burridge, Dean of KCL 5
Introduction
What is the relationship between the market and academy?
View across Agora from the Acropolis towards Plato’s Academy
Socrates’ divine mission as ‘wisest man’ from the oracle to
question business & politics; ignorant of ignorance; led to death12th November 2015 Rev'd Canon Prof Richard Burridge, Dean of KCL 6
Introduction
Dearing took as their ‘starting point’ the 1963
Robbins Committee which identified four aims and
objectives of higher education, summarised as:
“instruction in skills for employment;
promoting the general powers of the mind;
the advancement of learning and search for truth
the transmission of a common culture and
common standards of citizenship.”
These were then reinterpreted in 1997 for the
vision for the next 20 years of the ‘learning society’:12th November 2015 Rev'd Canon Prof Richard Burridge, Dean of KCL 7
Introduction
Para 5.11 “The four main purposes of higher education are:
to inspire and enable individuals to develop their capabilities
to the highest potential levels throughout life, so that they
grow intellectually, are well-equipped for work, can contribute
effectively to society and achieve personal fulfilment;
to increase knowledge and understanding for their own sake
and to foster their application to the benefit of the economy
and society;
to serve the needs of an adaptable, sustainable, knowledge-
based economy at local, regional and national levels;
to play a major role in shaping a democratic, civilised,
inclusive society.” (Dearing Report, p. 72)
12th November 2015 Rev'd Canon Prof Richard Burridge, Dean of KCL 8
Introduction
First point about individual fulfilment, work & society
Next two are about the economy
Shaping society in the final point
Report led to fees, end of grants
– against his wishes
Dearing set up by Secretaries for
Education & Employment
2001 Dept for Education & Skills
2007 Dept for Innovation,
Universities & Skills
2009 Business, Innovation & Skills: agora>academy12th November 2015 Rev'd Canon Prof Richard Burridge, Dean of KCL 9
Introduction
BIS Green paper, Nov 6th
Stress on teaching standards,
Teaching Excellence Framework
Focus on student satisfaction
and graduate employability
Greater social diversity / mobility
Allows successful to raise fees
Opening up for new universities
Reforming HE ‘architecture’
Implications for research funding12th November 2015 Rev'd Canon Prof Richard Burridge, Dean of KCL 10
Introduction
5.46 There may be less emphasis now on the role
of higher education in transmitting a common
culture than there was at the time of Robbins,
partly because cultures within the UK have
become more diverse, and partly because there
are so many other forms of cultural transmission
available through the mass media. But this
reinforces the need for higher education to
preserve and transmit those forms and aspects of
culture which may be, for the time being,
unfashionable or in danger of being overwhelmed
by the majority culture. (Dearing last para, p. 80)12th November 2015 Rev'd Canon Prof Richard Burridge, Dean of KCL 11
Introduction
Business and politics in the Agora, the market-place,
are no longer between religion & Academy
The market has taken over churches & universities
In an individualistic and increasingly diverse society,
what is the role and calling of higher education
institutions with a religious foundation?
Is it merely to ‘preserve and transmit . . aspects of
culture which may be unfashionable or in danger of
being overwhelmed by the majority culture’?
Or might it offer something to or even save culture,
or at least, save the academy from the marketplace? 12th November 2015 Rev'd Canon Prof Richard Burridge, Dean of KCL 12
Introduction
The Cathedrals
Group: ‘sixteen
universities with
Church foundations’
‘Ethical principles
informed by faith-
based values’
‘Share a common
faith heritage’
Clear links to the
three Churches12th November 2015 Rev'd Canon Prof Richard Burridge, Dean of KCL 13
1 Church Foundation
In 1999 I preached before HM Queen at the 750th
anniversary service of the 1249 grant of William of
Durham for the ‘great hall of the University’, Oxford.
Influenced by, and based, on the example of Paris
Definition of a university: a quad v benefaction!
Right up to the 19th century, the English ancient
universities of Oxford and Cambridge required staff
and students to be communicant members of the
Church of England: Shelley. An Anglican ‘lock-out’
stopping others having higher education.
All changed in pluralism after the Napoleonic Wars12th November 2015 Rev'd Canon Prof Richard Burridge, Dean of KCL 14
1 Church Foundation
1826: Founding of University College London by
mix of utilitarians, dissenters, Catholics, Jews.
12th November 2015 Rev'd Canon Prof Richard Burridge, Dean of KCL 15
1 Church Foundation
Human rights in
the American
and French
revolutions:
‘Freedom from
religion’ – French
secularism, or
‘freedom for
religion’ – USA
free market?
June 19th 1828 – The London paper Evening
Standard announces a meeting to ‘to establish
on Christian and constitutional principles a
great metropolitan school’
‘With such a seminary in a prosperous position,
there will be neither motive nor excuse for any
parent to inflict upon his offspring the disgrace
of education in the infidel and godless college
in Gower Street.’
Leads to the founding of King’s College London12th November 2015 Rev'd Canon Prof Richard Burridge, Dean of KCL 16
1 Church Foundation
Proposal to instigate King’s by Reverend Dr George D’Oyly, Rector of Lambeth
21st June 1828 – Founding meeting takes place with present:
Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington (PM in the Chair)
the Archbishop of Canterbury
eight other archbishops and bishops attend with a number of prominent laymenCaricature from 1828: the bishops’ involvement in the founding of King’s weighs down one end of the see-saw against the “University of London”!
12th November 2015 Rev'd Canon Prof Richard Burridge, Dean of KCL 17
1 Church Foundation
12th November 2015 Rev'd Canon Prof Richard Burridge, Dean of KCL 18
1 Church Foundation
Duel between the Duke of Wellington and the Earl of
Winchilsea over Catholic emancipation and founding
King’s, Saturday 21 March 1829, Battersea Fields
1829 Royal Charter: the objects of King’s College
are to keep the connection of ‘sound learning’ with
teaching the ‘doctrines and duties of Christianity’
and ‘the various branches of literature and science’12th November 2015 Rev'd Canon Prof Richard Burridge, Dean of KCL 19
1 Church Foundation
To ensure this Christian vision King’s Principals had to be ordained clergy of the Church of England
William Otter was the first Principal of King’s College London, 1831–1836
Bishop of Chichester, 1836–1839
Bp Otter College founded as a memorial April 1839
1.25 million children in Sunday schools by 1831
Leads to
12th November 2015 Rev'd Canon Prof Richard Burridge, Dean of KCL 20
1 Church Foundation
Chichester is typical of both the explosion of the
decade 1839-1850, and in its admitting women
(1873) and subsequent mergers (Bognor Regis
College of Education) leading to university status.
Similarly, Chester’s foundation in 1839 involved
prime ministers and Archbishop of Canterbury
1840 Winchester Diocesan Training School, again
an Anglican foundation for training teachers
12th November 2015 Rev'd Canon Prof Richard Burridge, Dean of KCL 21
1 Church Foundation
This decade also sees the founding of other
Anglican institutions for training teachers:
1840 St Mark’s and
1841 St John’s Colleges
1841 York Training School and
St John’s College with in 1862
St Margaret’s Ripon for women
1847 Cheltenham Training College which
leads eventually to the
12th November 2015 Rev'd Canon Prof Richard Burridge, Dean of KCL 22
1 Church Foundation
But it’s not just Anglicans:
1850 St Mary’s Hammersmith founded
by the Catholic Poor Schools Committee
While other early foundations will later
merge with ecumenical partners:
1841 Whitelands CofE for women,
1850 Digby Stuart, Roman Catholic,
1872 Southlands, Methodist,
1892 Froebel Institute; unite in 1975
1844 CofE Warrington College and
1856 Sisters of Notre Dame become12th November 2015 Rev'd Canon Prof Richard Burridge, Dean of KCL 23
1 Church Foundation
Meanwhile, back in Wales: 1822 St David’s
College for clergy of Church in Wales, later
becoming the University of Wales, Lampeter.
1847 South Wales and Monmouthshire
Training College, Carmarthen, later Trinity.
Swansea College of Art founded 1853,
College of Education 1872 and the
Technical College 1895.
2010-13 various mergers
finalise into UWTSD group.12th November 2015 Rev'd Canon Prof Richard Burridge, Dean of KCL 24
1 Church Foundation
The complications of the 19th century for the
church and education are also seen in Heythrop
Founded in 1614 to educate English Jesuits first
in Louvain, then in Liège. Revolutionary France
and Napoleonic war brought return to Stonyhurst
in England, doing London degrees, then move to
Heythrop Hall Oxford 1926, moved into London
University in 1970 with own Charter.
1862 Lincoln CofE teacher training college,
through several names to 13thc Bishop of Lincoln12th November 2015 Rev'd Canon Prof Richard Burridge, Dean of KCL 25
1 Church Foundation
19th century church impetus to train teachers led to
1870 Forster Elementary Education Act setting up
compulsory primary schools for all children by law.
Next boom comes with 1960s, ROSLA up to 16;
Robbins expansion new universities & polytechnics
both C of E and Roman Catholic foundations
1962 Christ Church College Canterbury
1964 St Martin’s College Lancaster
1966 Trinity College & All Saints College
1968 Newman College of HE
12th November 2015 Rev'd Canon Prof Richard Burridge, Dean of KCL 26
1 Church Foundation
Our church foundations lie in the 19th century
response to religious pluralism in Europe and
a deep desire to save children from child labour
by training teachers to educate them instead.
This happened a generation before the state’s
provision for universal primary education in 1870.
This was repeated again in the pluralistic 1960s.
Our church foundations were motivated by a
strong faith in God who wants everyone to grow.
This is surely something in which to take pride!12th November 2015 Rev'd Canon Prof Richard Burridge, Dean of KCL 27
1 Church Foundation
12th November 2015 Rev'd Canon Prof Richard Burridge, Dean of KCL 28
2 Pluralist Present
And yet it takes several steps to find history
pages and many seem coy or embarrassed:
Oxford has some old pictures and narrative
Cambridge starts with a scary dinosaur
before pages work through its various periods
12th November 2015 Rev'd Canon Prof Richard Burridge, Dean of KCL 29
2 Pluralist Present
King’s overview:
‘founded by
King George IV
and the Duke of
Wellington (PM)’
‘in the tradition
of the Church
of England’
‘now welcomes
all faiths and beliefs’.
12th November 2015 Rev'd Canon Prof Richard Burridge, Dean of KCL 30
2 Pluralist Present
Foundation of KCL:
‘eminent politicians,
churchmen, others.
They wanted a
Church of England
alternative to UCL’
But more interested
in the Duke’s duel
than in Archbishop
of Canterbury!
12th November 2015 Rev'd Canon Prof Richard Burridge, Dean of KCL 31
2 Pluralist Present
The Cathedrals
Group: ‘sixteen
universities with
Church foundations’
‘Ethical principles
informed by faith-
based values’
‘Share a common
faith heritage’
Clear links to the
three Churches12th November 2015 Rev'd Canon Prof Richard Burridge, Dean of KCL 32
2 Pluralist Present
This is indeed a strong and proud statement
about ‘founded by the churches for purpose of
training teachers before state provided education
for all’ and admitting ‘women on an equal footing’12th November 2015 Rev'd Canon Prof Richard Burridge, Dean of KCL 33
2 Pluralist Present
12th November 2015 Rev'd Canon Prof Richard Burridge, Dean of KCL 34
2 Pluralist Present
‘Campus based’
‘Attractive locations’
‘Excellent facilities’
‘Welcoming atmosphere’
When you follow the links:
the four Catholic members
identify themselves: Heythrop,
Leeds, St Mary’s, Newman
Liverpool Hope is ‘ecumenical’
Of the others, only Chester and
Bishop Grossteste say C of E
Rest prefer to stress other
attributes, location, community,
facilities – being ‘different’ 12th November 2015 Rev'd Canon Prof Richard Burridge, Dean of KCL 35
2 Pluralist Present
Individual websites are more forthcoming
Like Oxford, Cambridge and King’s, not on front
page, but requires 2 or 3 clicks through sections
‘about us’ to find an account of ‘our history’
Other key words include ‘heritage’, ‘tradition’,
‘experience’ leading to ‘vision’, ‘mission’, ‘ethos’
‘inspired by our Christian / church foundation’
‘proud of our rich heritage’
Often long and complex process with mergers
to get to today’s Cathedral Group university 12th November 2015 Rev'd Canon Prof Richard Burridge, Dean of KCL 36
2 Pluralist Present
Welcome / Home page: ‘faith-based values’
Excellent list of four areas where faith-based
values will have an important impact.
Not clear how are these based on faith or
whether other universities would not also say
the same without values being based on faith.12th November 2015 Rev'd Canon Prof Richard Burridge, Dean of KCL 37
2 Pluralist Present
‘only grouping in HE . . informed by faith-based values’
‘a distinctive contribution . reflects our identity & values’
‘a distinctively ethical perspective in HE landscape’
‘celebrates our heritage as Christian foundations’
strong statements – how do they get worked out?12th November 2015 Rev'd Canon Prof Richard Burridge, Dean of KCL 38
2 Pluralist Present
‘Church / Christian foundation’ – only in past?
‘Strong ethical principles’
‘Social justice’ and the ‘public good’
‘Responsible stewards of the environment’
‘Embrace diversity, combat prejudice, respect’
What is the link between the first and the rest?12th November 2015 Rev'd Canon Prof Richard Burridge, Dean of KCL 39
2 Pluralist Present
Analysis of individual websites:
10 had page on ‘values’; no ‘values’ found in 3;
another 3 had ‘values’ placed under local area
heritage, the constituent colleges, or ‘jobs’.
Excellence – mentioned by 10 (everyone today)
Diversity, inclusive – 10 (WP; Equality Diversity)
Environment, sustainability, fair trade – 8
Holistic, whole person, dignity, worth – 7
Public good, social justice, service society – 6
Are these ‘faith-based’ or ‘distinctive’? 12th November 2015 Rev'd Canon Prof Richard Burridge, Dean of KCL 40
2 Pluralist Present
Analysis of individual websites:
Truth and intellectual freedom of enquiry – 4
‘celebrate’, ‘recognise’, ‘take faith seriously’ – 4
interfaith dialogue – 3
‘regardless of faith or belief’, ‘different faiths’ – 2
‘all faiths or none’, ‘don’t profess faith’ – 2
No challenge from faith-based academy to the
Agora, or economic values of the market place
Lord Nolan ‘Standards in Public Life’ 1994-7
values without faith lasts a generation, no ethics12th November 2015 Rev'd Canon Prof Richard Burridge, Dean of KCL 41
2 Pluralist Present
So who or where is the keeper of the foundation?
GORs for V-Cs or senior staff is a sensitive area
4 Catholic foundations require a Catholic GOR.
Also GOR at Liverpool Hope (R-C / C of E union)
Thank V-C of Bp Grossteste sending his job spec;
some places require V-C to be a church member.
Others use words like ‘empathy with’, ‘supportive’
Even atheists need someone to hold the tradition;
I was appointed as Dean of KCL by an atheist: ‘I
need someone to do the believing for both of us’!12th November 2015 Rev'd Canon Prof Richard Burridge, Dean of KCL 42
2 Pluralist Present
How did it move from strong church foundation
to present pluralist coyness or embarrassment?
1960’s ‘death of God’ and rise of ‘new atheists’,
R Dawkins etc – hence references to ‘no faith’.
Multicultural and pluralist challenge of recent
decades, immigration, international students.
BIS’ stress on equality, diversity and inclusivity.
As new universities, CG needs to compete in
the market place: will the values and mission
be still ‘faith-based’ and distinctive, or the same
as everybody else’s in the uncertain future?12th November 2015 Rev'd Canon Prof Richard Burridge, Dean of KCL 43
2 Pluralist Present
Understandable tendency to assume that this
slide from proud ‘church foundations’ through a
‘pluralist present’ will lead inexorably to the end
of Christian distinctiveness in Cathedral Group.
Final section will argue that this is not inevitable:
partly because of changes in our society
partly because of initiatives already happening
within the Cathedral Group and elsewhere.
But now is the time for action to be taken.
First, a view from over the water in the USA:12th November 2015 Rev'd Canon Prof Richard Burridge, Dean of KCL 44
3 Uncertain Future?
“Many American universities were founded as religious
institutions, explicitly designed to cultivate their students’
spiritual and moral natures. But over the course of the
20th century they became officially or effectively
secular. Religious rituals like mandatory chapel services
were dropped. Academic research and teaching replaced
character formation at the core of the university’s mission.
Administrators and professors dropped spiritual language
and moral prescription either because they didn’t know
what to say or because they didn’t want to alienate any part
of their diversifying constituencies.”
12th November 2015 Rev'd Canon Prof Richard Burridge, Dean of KCL 45
3 Uncertain Future?
“Universities are more professional and glittering than
ever, but in some ways there is emptiness deep down.
Students are taught how to do things, but many are not
forced to reflect on why they should do them or what we
are here for. But things are changing. . . Institutes are
popping up — with interdisciplinary humanities programs
and even meditation centers — designed to cultivate the
whole student: the emotional, spiritual and moral sides and
not just the intellectual. The trick is to find a way to talk
about moral and spiritual things while respecting
diversity.”
12th November 2015 Rev'd Canon Prof Richard Burridge, Dean of KCL 46
3 Uncertain Future?
The failure of the secularization hypothesis:
1960s theory that religion would die away.
Yet perhaps it is the most important political
and social issue facing the world in 21st century
–and the one most misunderstood by politicians
1960s-1970s assumption that science would
have all the answers & put God out of business
Star Trek ‘to boldly go’ came home with the 4th
series, Voyager; nostalgic prequel, Enterprise.
Post-Christian – or post-atheistic? R Dawkins?12th November 2015 Rev'd Canon Prof Richard Burridge, Dean of KCL 47
3 Uncertain Future?
Church-going may have declined recently:
5 million members; 2-3m in church on Sundays.
Compare 350,000 at Premier League matches.
Total capacity Premier League grounds: 750,000
Total capacity of 92 football grounds: 2 million.
Total membership of all political parties: 700,000
150k Conservatives; 110k SNP; 61k LibDem;
65k Greens; 42k UKIP; 290k Labour (plus 148k
union affiliates and 112k £3 members to vote).
British Humanist Association 40k; Secular similar12th November 2015 Rev'd Canon Prof Richard Burridge, Dean of KCL 48
3 Uncertain Future?
12th November 2015
2011 National Census:
59.3% Christian (2001: 71.1%);
4.8% Muslim (3%); 1.5% Hindu
(1%); 0.8% Sikhs (0.5%); 0.5%
Jews (0.5%); 0.4% Buddhist
(0.3%); 25.1% ‘no religion’
(14.1%); 7.2% ‘no answer’
Large Christian majority, with a
tenth for other world faiths and
a quarter stating ‘no religion’.
Linda Woodhead’s 2013 LectureRev'd Canon Prof Richard Burridge, Dean of KCL 49
3 Uncertain Future?
‘They’re all old people –
what about students today?’
CUE project 2010-2013 in
five different HE contexts
51% Christian; 34% none;
15% others. Backed up by
other surveys, 44-50%
Christians: 50% church in
term, and 66% in vacations
40% religious, 31% ‘spiritual’12th November 2015 Rev'd Canon Prof Richard Burridge, Dean of KCL 50
3 Uncertain Future?
The rise of the ‘spiritual’ category from ECU
now being used in HEFCE/HESA statistics:
Used in KCL staff survey – concludes tomorrow
‘spiritual . . . without conventional religion’
Linda Woodhead’s definition; as 2013 lecture
showed, decline in Christians ≠ not religious
‘Mindfulness’ appearing in classes & meetings
‘Atheist church’ and Sunday Assemblies
Rituals – e.g. Remembrance Sunday being
replaced by Remembrance Services yesterday. 12th November 2015 Rev'd Canon Prof Richard Burridge, Dean of KCL 51
3 Uncertain Future?
‘Faith-based values’: what is the
doctrinal basis for our ethics?
Compare EIAG policies; needed
to be distinctively Christian
How does Creation–fall–election
–incarnation–atonement–eschat
-ology drive our view of human
beings? This can provide a real
‘faith-basis’ for ethical values.
See also Mike Higton Theology
of Higher Education OUP 2012 12th November 2015 Rev'd Canon Prof Richard Burridge, Dean of KCL 52
3 Uncertain Future?
Several recent projects on
Christian or C of E identity
In May 2009, I gave the first
keynote at the inaugural
CUAC-UK conference with
Jeremy Law giving the other.
Fascinating set of essays
from around the world.
Concluding reflections from
Archbishop Rowan Williams.
12th November 2015 Rev'd Canon Prof Richard Burridge, Dean of KCL 53
3 Uncertain Future?
CG report from HE Leadership
Foundation, HEFCE, 2011
“These values contrast strongly
with a vision of the future of HE
which is market-focused.” (p. 1)
Distinctive features and definable
identity: core values, holistic
approach, student volunteering,
community, vibrant Chaplaincies,
handling change, supporting staff,
other faith-based partnerships.
12th November 2015 Rev'd Canon Prof Richard Burridge, Dean of KCL 54
3 Uncertain Future?
Gloucester: ‘Anglican Identity report’ and the Foundation
Fellows, 2012-13; filed under ‘Gloucestershire>heritage’;
12th November 2015 Rev'd Canon Prof Richard Burridge, Dean of KCL 55
3 Uncertain Future?
Foundation
Fellows;
Anglican
identity
report was
endorsed
by Council
April 2013.
glos.ac.uk
log-in only.
12th November 2015 Rev'd Canon Prof Richard Burridge, Dean of KCL 56
3 Uncertain Future?CofE web: CG & CUAC
Anglican Identity
Project 2011-12
Year One Report and
plan for Year Two
Literature Review
‘Identity and Character’
Stephen Heap and
Jeremy Law Nov 2013
Day conference +Tim
Dakin Winchester 2015
Canterbury Christ Church
Jeremy Law’s two papers:
‘vision statement’ using the
triquetra symbol to ground
the vision in three
dimensions – the Trinity.
‘Religion and Belief’ paper
on link to C of E, including
GOR’s, C of E Ethos,
Christian distinctiveness
and Inter-Faith. March 201512th November 2015 Rev'd Canon Prof Richard Burridge, Dean of KCL 57
3 Uncertain Future?
‘Vibrant Chaplaincies’ in
Cathedral Group universities
Evident in most of websites
But true of many HEIs
Faiths in HE Chaplaincy
project funded by Dept of
Communities & Local Gov’t
Survey 2006-7 of all HEIs
95% have prayer spaces
75% Christian Chaplains12th November 2015 Rev'd Canon Prof Richard Burridge, Dean of KCL 58
3 Uncertain Future?
Pluralist context today: 51% have Chapels,
58% multi-faith rooms, 68% Muslim prayer rooms
Other faiths do not want a ‘soft-pedal’ approach
but respect Christians
who pray, or keep Lent
Rabbi Lord Sacks’
latest book argues for
us to be strong together
Muslim chaplaincy in
prisons & NHS – HE?
12th November 2015 Rev'd Canon Prof Richard Burridge, Dean of KCL 59
3 Uncertain Future?
The church colleges originally had a distinctive
curriculum for teacher training with faith basis
Various attempts to include something today
Winchester: on-line course on ‘making sense of
religion’, plus new King Alfred award programme
CCC ran Associateship Programme 2001-2010;
now planning on-line course for launch 2016-17
Associateship of King’s College London: original
award, predates London degrees; one hour a
week with annual exam; 2,000 students enrolled;
distance learning version – possible extension?12th November 2015 Rev'd Canon Prof Richard Burridge, Dean of KCL 60
3 Uncertain Future?
How to build on church foundation in the pluralist
present and still include diversity?
KCL’s 1829 Charter ‘CofE’; 1980 ‘Christianity’
2009 Ordinance E.3: “The Dean shall be responsible
for ensuring that the College builds upon the
Anglican tradition associated with its foundation and,
in recognition of the multi-ethnic and international
nature of its community, encourages and supports
all its members of all beliefs and backgrounds (as
required by the Charter, Article 3(1)).”
Lord Sacks’ defence of the establishment of C of E12th November 2015 Rev'd Canon Prof Richard Burridge, Dean of KCL 61
3 Uncertain Future?
We have looked at the role & calling of faith-based
institutions in Higher Education today in the light of
Church Foundation,
Pluralist Present,
Uncertain Future?
Churches in the 1840s and 1960s responded to
needs of society and to challenge of pluralism
Extraordinary vision of founders and foundation
We must draw on this deep and sound
foundation to go forward into a certain future.12th November 2015 Rev'd Canon Prof Richard Burridge, Dean of KCL 62
Conclusion
The contribution the Cathedral Group might make
to HE today is evidenced in all these reports
Be founded on church foundations
Ensure values are truly faith-based and distinctive
Graeme Davies, HEFCE, 1995, had Golden Rule:
“the man who has the gold, makes the rules!”
Jesus’ Golden Rule different: “God and Mammon”
Can the faith-based academy challenge the
Agora/market-place in future – or will it be
assimilated & its distinctive individuality erased?
12th November 2015 Rev'd Canon Prof Richard Burridge, Dean of KCL 63
Conclusion
Dearing: relationship between the market and academy?
View across Agora from the Acropolis towards Plato’s Academy
Tonight I may have been Socrates, goading some questions
But I hope and pray we can all avoid drinking the hemlock!12th November 2015 Rev'd Canon Prof Richard Burridge, Dean of KCL 64
Conclusion
12th November 2015 Rev'd Canon Prof Richard Burridge, Dean of KCL 65
The 2015 Dearing
Memorial Lecture
CHURCH FOUNDATION,
PLURALIST PRESENT,
UNCERTAIN FUTURE?The role and calling
of faith-based
institutions in
Higher Education
today
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