Lisa Nolan, Education and Improvement Development Officer for the Methodist Church in Great Britain, said:

“In our office we hear wonderful stories every day of the schools who are working to bring about positive change. The Church School Awards are a chance to share those stories with the wider world, to give credit to the staff and students who serve and strengthen relationships with their local and global neighbours.This is a wonderful opportunity to honour their achievements and inspire others to greatness.”

The awards will be presented at a special ceremony in London, on the afternoon of Thursday 22nd March 2012.

The Awards are designed to enable schools to share examples of the ways in which they often lead the way in developing activities that reach out beyond school gates to foster good community relations. Research on Ofsted data published in 2009 showed that secondary schools with a religious foundation contribute ‘significantly and substantially’ more to the promotion of community cohesion and the provision of equality of opportunity for students than other types of school. The research report, "Strong schools for strong communities", included examples of schools twinning with other schools in very different contexts to their own, inviting representatives of other faiths to events, and co-ordinating community enhancement activities such as litter picks and ‘peer courts’.

Andrew Sowerby, President of CATSC (The Catholic Association of Teachers, Schools and Colleges) said:

“We’re pleased to be part of the Church School Awards. The Awards help promote the unique contribution Church schools have made for years in helping to promote community cohesion, and give all Church schools a wonderful opportunity to share their good practice and help with the development of improved community relations.”

The Church School Awards were established by Emmaus Recruitment, the Church Schools recruitment service, and are supported by the Church of England's National Society, The Scottish Catholic Education Service, Methodist Children & Youth, the Catholic Association of Teachers, Schools and Colleges (CATSC), the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS), aid and development organisations including CAFOD, Christian Aid, World Action in Methodist Schools, World Aims and many other supporters.

The Church School Awards is due to gain independent Trust Status later this year.

More information and application forms can be found at www.churchschoolawards.com