Churches as SEND schools?

At a press conference yesterday, Richard Tice, Deputy Leader of Reform UK, suggested looking to churches that are ‘redundant' five days a week and only used on a Sunday as places to deliver local SEND provision. He also suggested that redundant churches be opened and that the Church of England should show real leadership in this space.

It's a known fact the 16,000 or so Church of England churches in England are already delivering significant social impact, serving their communities in myriad ways. This has been going on for many years, often under the radar simply because a community has a need. A real expression in practice of the Gospel message.

I wanted, before I go on, to unpack the use of the word ‘redundant’. It used to be that church buildings were declared redundant when they were permanently closed for public worship. I don't think that was what was really meant. I suspect what was meant was ‘unused’ or ‘quiet’ to reflect a building, often the only large space in a community that might be available for other use, Monday to Friday. If we understand what was intended as ‘unused’, then can Church of England churches be used as suggested? Why aren't more providers making local provision in their parish church?

Church of England churches are vested in an incumbent. That doesn't mean the local vicar is able to do what they want - quite the opposite. Churches are held within a complex regulatory framework that is focused on them being local centres of mission and ministry.  

Where a church remains in use for worship, the Church of England's faculty jurisdiction governs works to the building, its contents, and its curtilage, recognising that the church is the local centre of mission and ministry in a parish. In other words, there is a consent process for any changes (which type of process depends on what changes are proposed). At all times care will be taken to balance the architectural and heritage importance of the building with the expressed need for change. Given the extent of alterations that would need to be made for SEND provision, where even modest reconfiguration may require accessible WCs, improved heating, changes to circulation, acoustic treatment, partitions/zoning, secure storage, and safeguarding‑appropriate access control, this would be an extensive, and potentially time consuming process. It would require consultation with the local communities and heritage bodies.

This is not a criticism of the system: the faculty jurisdiction is the Church of England’s long‑established method for balancing the worshipping community’s needs with the building’s heritage significance and long‑term stewardship. The point is simply that “using a church as a school” is almost never just a booking in the diary.

Churches that have been formally closed for regular public worship are different. Their future is settled via a formal statutory framework. That process involves suitable alternative use being sought and the involvement of the Church Commissioners. There is often a preference for re-use by another faith group, but community use is very much an option. It would be possible for a closed church to be re-opened as SEND provision but it would require the building being bought from the diocese or a lease entered into, both of which would have to be at market value. There would therefore be a cost involved to the SEND provider, be that local authority or multi-academy trust.

This brings to the fore the question of funding. Even if open churches are able to be re-used, the cost of adaptations is likely to be significant given the difference between use as a place of worship and use for SEND provision, let alone running costs. Whilst the Government is committed to reforming SEND provision, funding any significant changes will be a challenge given the state of public finances. Mr Tice highlighted the growth in the number of private equity funded independent SEND providers. The concern being that they are making significant profits from SEND. This is an interesting comment coming from Reform UK.  

Some creative thinking is needed here and so I wonder whether there is an opportunity for the Church of England to work with social enterprises, charities, academy trusts and the Department for Education about how it can use its building stock to alleviate the stress on the SEND system. This would be similar to what the Church is looking to do with social housing and what other faith based organisations are already doing nationally. Whilst there are challenges to this idea, there are also opportunities. It's also something I feel the Church should be wanting to explore and to help resource as it's a pressing social need.   

Conclusion

Church buildings can play a greater role in meeting pressing local needs - including, in the right cases, elements of SEND provision. When done well, shared use keeps buildings open, strengthens communities, and makes local services more accessible - an outcome that aligns with both public policy and the Church’s “common good” mission.