Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Church Choirs: Engagement with Local Schools

Thursday 15 June 2023 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Church of England supports the Government's Sing Up programme, encouraging local music hubs to partner with churches.
  • Hazel Ricketts, co-director of music at St Mary's church in Fordingbridge, runs a singing club for 53 children in local schools weekly.
  • Church of England will share their initiatives with churches in Northern Ireland, enabling the scheme to be replicated there.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Desmond Swayne Con New Forest West
Education Religion & Faith
Context

The Church of England's involvement with schools through music education programmes is under review.

Question

What steps the Church of England is taking to encourage church choirs to engage with local schools?

Answer from Andrew Selous

The Church of England has enthusiastically supported the Government's Sing Up programme, encouraging local music hubs to partner with churches and enabling the use of skills and knowledge that schools would otherwise have to buy in.

Partly answered

How: Under Review

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Q2 Desmond Swayne Con New Forest West
Culture, Media & Sport Religion & Faith
Context

Specific efforts by the Church of England to engage with schools in the New Forest are being sought.

Question

When will they be singing up in the New Forest?

Answer from Andrew Selous

The new co-director of music at St Mary's church in Fordingbridge, Hazel Ricketts, is running a singing club, working with 53 children in local schools every week. Her expertise will enable work to expand next term to include all four local schools.

Answered
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Q3 Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
Northern Ireland Religion & Faith
Context

The Church of England's support for church choirs engaging with schools in Strangford is under discussion.

Question

I am keen to encourage school choirs and church choirs to sing together. What can the hon Gentleman do to ensure that Strangford can be a part of this project?

Answer from Andrew Selous

The Church of England does not have jurisdiction in Northern Ireland, but they will share everything they are doing across England with churches in Northern Ireland. The scheme could easily be copied there.

How: Church Of England Has No Jurisdiction In Northern Ireland

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