What We Do
The Southwark Diocesan Board of Education exists to support, strengthen and champion Church of England education across South London and East Surrey.
As the body responsible for supporting Church schools in the Diocese, we work alongside school leaders, governors, trusts and diocesan partners to help schools flourish, uphold their Christian foundation and deliver the very best outcomes for children and young people. We also advocate for Church schools locally and nationally, provide strategic leadership on key educational issues and help shape the future of Church of England education across our Diocese.
The primary way schools experience this support is through our Services to Schools, which bring together specialist expertise, professional networks, advice, training and practical guidance across eight areas:
- Church School Effectiveness
- Admissions & Governance
- Professional Advice & Networking
- Human Resources
- Finance & Insurance
- Buildings
- Communications
- Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging (EDIB)
Together, these services reflect the breadth of the SDBE's work, from supporting Christian distinctiveness, leadership and governance to advising on estates, finance, admissions, organisational development and sector-wide issues. Whether helping schools navigate day-to-day challenges or supporting long-term strategic development, our aim is to ensure that every Church school is equipped to serve its community and enable all to flourish.