National Society for Promoting Religious Education
Encyclopedia
The National Society for Promoting Religious Education, often just referred to as the National Society, is a Church of England
body in England and Wales
for the promotion of church schools and Christian education.
It was founded on 16 October 1811 as the "National Society for Promoting the Education of the Poor in the Principles of the Established Church in England and Wales". Its aim was that "the National Religion should be made the foundation of National Education, and should be the first and chief thing taught to the poor, according to the excellent Liturgy and Catechism provided by our Church." One of the principal founders was Joshua Watson
.
Historically, schools founded by the National Society were called National Schools
, as opposed to the non-denominational "British schools" founded by the British and Foreign School Society
.
According to the Society's website, "Five thousand Church of England
and Church in Wales
schools, educating almost a million children and young people, are the heirs of that proud tradition."
Church of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
body in England and Wales
England and Wales
England and Wales is a jurisdiction within the United Kingdom. It consists of England and Wales, two of the four countries of the United Kingdom...
for the promotion of church schools and Christian education.
It was founded on 16 October 1811 as the "National Society for Promoting the Education of the Poor in the Principles of the Established Church in England and Wales". Its aim was that "the National Religion should be made the foundation of National Education, and should be the first and chief thing taught to the poor, according to the excellent Liturgy and Catechism provided by our Church." One of the principal founders was Joshua Watson
Joshua Watson
Joshua Watson was an English wine merchant, philanthropist, a prominent member of the high church party and of several charitable organizations, who became known as "the best layman in England".-Life:...
.
Historically, schools founded by the National Society were called National Schools
National school (England and Wales)
A national school was a school founded in 19th century England and Wales by the National Society for Promoting Religious Education.These schools provided elementary education, in accordance with the teaching of the Church of England, to the children of the poor.Together with the less numerous...
, as opposed to the non-denominational "British schools" founded by the British and Foreign School Society
British and Foreign School Society
The British and Foreign School Society offers charitable aid to educational projects in the UK and around the world by funding schools, other charities and educational bodies...
.
According to the Society's website, "Five thousand Church of England
Church of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
and Church in Wales
Church in Wales
The Church in Wales is the Anglican church in Wales, composed of six dioceses.As with the primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, the Archbishop of Wales serves concurrently as one of the six diocesan bishops. The current archbishop is Barry Morgan, the Bishop of Llandaff.In contrast to the...
schools, educating almost a million children and young people, are the heirs of that proud tradition."