3 July 2023
The Bishop of Colchester, the Rt Revd Roger Morris is to become the new Chair of the Chelmsford Diocese Board of Education when the current Chair, the Venerable Robin King retires at the end of September.
The Diocesan Board of Education (DBE) oversees and supports the work of schools and chaplaincies in universities and colleges across the Diocese including in our 139 Church of England Schools.
The son of a teacher and married to a Secondary School Headteacher, Bishop Roger is no stranger to the world of education. He served on the Diocesan Board of Education in the Diocese of Worcester and was previously Chair of Governors of a school in Gloucestershire. He is currently a Director of Tendring Learning Community Education Trust, a Member of All Saints Academy Trust (Halstead) and a Trustee of the Keys Cooperative Academy Trust. Bishop Roger is also a Patron of CYO (Colchester) who oversee the work of chaplains in schools in Colchester and run ‘Sanctum’ (a programme of interactive prayer spaces in schools). He is also a patron of Colchester and Tendring Youth Enquiry Service (offering support and counselling to young people), a Trustee of Essex Council for Voluntary Youth Services and the Chair of Trustees of the Innervation Trust (who run the iSingPop projects including the ‘Main Event’ and ‘Classroom Worship’).
Commenting on the announcement, Bishop Roger said,
“I am delighted to be working with our excellent Education Team in supporting our 139 Church of England Schools across our diverse diocese in Essex and East London. I am also excited by the other opportunities that we have for growing faith among children and young people in our Universities, colleges, childrens groups, youth groups and churches.”
The Bishop of Chelmsford, the Rt Revd Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani said:
“I’m grateful to Bishop Roger for accepting my invitation to become the Chair of the Diocesan Board of Education. His experience and understanding of education, particularly in our Diocese will be of great value to the DBE and to those who serve in our schools and colleges. I also want to repeat my thanks to Archdeacon Robin for his commitment and considerable service as Chair of the DBE since 2018 and as a member of the DBE since 2014. We look forward to gathering at Chelmsford Cathedral on 1 October to give thanks for his ministry in this role and as the Archdeacon of Stansted.”
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