Content acknowledgements
Linking local churches and local schools isn't a new idea. Many books have been written on the topic, but while the principles remain the same, resource links inevitably go out of date. The idea for a web-based resource to enable local churches to engage with and support local schools, and for schools to find information about how they could benefit from contributions from schools, was an obvious solution.
This was widely discussed during a consultation several years ago, including various Christian organisations hosted by Damaris and Authentic Media. The idea then was to introduce good practice, demonstrate that with case-studies, and point to suitable Christian resources for schools to use.
The planning for the site was subsequently taken up by The Stapleford Centre together with Ruth Gilson from Girls' Brigade England and Wales, Dennis Pethers from Viz a Viz Ministries and Emlyn Williams, then with Scripture Union in Schools with support from Peter Kerridge at Premier.
Once BRF's publication Local Church Local School was planned, it made sense to link the website and that book, so BRF took over the creation of the website and have brought it into being.
The initial content has been written by Chris Westgarth (see www.smsc.org.uk) and Alison Farnell (formerly of The Stapleford Centre). Given further resource, good practice case-studies and links to suitable school resources could be added.
Thanks to Deo Gloria trust, which gave a grant to make the development of the website to this point possible.
