Southwark Council report on Why Our Schools are Top Class.
As we engage in Transforming Southwark and in our vision of Gospel Saturation, this report from the council reminds me that community transformation is a key part of the role of the church. We are called to serve the needs of the community around us and to seek the blessing of the city in which we are located.
Hope Primary School was an independent, non-selective Christian school located at The Well Community Church, Wells Way, Camberwell, Southwark, London (SE5 7SY). It operated from January 21, 1992, until its closure July, 2006. The school catered to children aged 4 to 11 and had a capacity for 70 pupils. It was run without a specific religious denomination but maintained a Christian ethos. The school did not offer special classes and had a small number of students with special educational needs.
The school was launched in response to the educational needs of Southwark borough, which had back then failed its Ofsted as a borough, having many failing schools.
The school was situated within The Well Community Church, a multicultural and informal congregation in Camberwell. The church has historically supported numerous community projects, including running this school, which educated over 500 children during its operation. It was launched through the desire to meet the needs of the community.
As those needs have shifted over time and Southwark has become a much better education provider, it was eventually decided to relocate resources in response to other needs. Our calling is always to be good news and needs may change over time.
Serving the community grows credibility for the good news that we share. The people see love in action and ask ‘why are they doing this? We are called ‘salt and light’ and to express the gospel in words and in deeds.
What is God saying to you as a church? What are you going to do about it?
Tell us what you are already doing to serve your community and Transform Southwark.
