Research for Christian Educating, Australia Stephen J Fyson PhD The Excellence Centre

Dr Beth’s Green’s Research Mapping the field A review of the current research evidence on the impact of schools with a Christian ethos Researcher: Dr Elizabeth Green Research Supervisor: Dr Trevor Cooling Published by Theos in 2009 © Theos

Research Drivers Three agendas appear to dominate education policy: 1) Concern about declining standards of academic achievement and progress. 2) Concern about character education and well-being. 3) The role of faith schools in national systems of education. (p.13)

Beth’s focus… Schools with a Christian ethos are both attacked and defended in relation to their contribution to the standards agenda, character formation, spiritual development and nurture within the Christian faith community. It is timely that this review should consider what the research evidence tells us about the impact of such schools. The evidence needs to be explored both in relation to their purpose and goals, and in relation to the wider debate about what education can or should provide for young people in contemporary society. This report will be of interest to anyone asking the question, ‘What do schools with a Christian ethos offer to pupils in the modern age?’ P. 15

And from Australasia… [IN CATHOLIC SCHOOLS] The current model of Catholic education does not offer a spirituality that is perceived by pupils as relevant to the way that they live their lives. [BUT] This exercise suggests that spirituality and other non- affective cognitive characteristics can be measured. [IN PROTESTANT SCHOOLS] A highly didactic approach to evangelism may result in poor pedagogy and disaffection among pupils with respect to the Christian gospel.

Comparative Studies in Australia… As pupils aged they moved away from the religious belief system of their school. [IN SUMMARY] To summarise, these research examples seem to suggest that schools with a Christian ethos in Australasia are facing similar challenges to those in the UK. All of the studies deal in some way with defining or redefining the mission of Christian ethos education in contemporary society. They focus specifically on how to define spirituality and how to measure if Christian ethos schools have an impact on their pupils’ spiritual development. As in the UK, schools and researchers pose these questions, and the possible solutions, in relation to their paradigms of knowledge.

Research as Humble Apologetics… Christians must beware, however, to use the right tool for any job we’re doing. And apologetics is best deployed toward two basic goals which we might distinguish as internal and external: Internal - to strengthen and mature the faith of Christians External - to remove obstacles, and clarify issues, and offer winsome inducements to those who are not (yet) Christians John G Stackhouse Humble Apologetics (2002) Oxford University Press p. 118

Deepest Purpose? So anyone who thinks that he has understood the divine scriptures or any part of them, but cannot by his understanding build up this double love of God and neighbour, has not yet succeeded in understanding them. Aurelius Augustine On Christian Teaching Oxford Classics 2008 edition p. 27