The ‘Periodic External Review’ (PER) is part of the Church of England’s quality assurance for its ministerial training institutions, whereby it assesses the institution’s fitness for purpose in preparing candidates for ordained and licensed ministry and makes recommendations for the enhancement of its life and work.
We are delighted to report that Cranmer Hall was awarded the highest outcome of ‘Confidence’, reflecting the high standards found in the review where Cranmer Hall demonstrates good or best practice. It has found that:
‘Cranmer Hall is comfortable in its own skin, gracious, kind, hospitable and caring,
and where academic rigour is carefully married with formational excellence.
There is a great deal to applaud.’
Cranmer Hall has ‘clarity of vision and values
and a deeply embedded culture of graciousness and kindness.’
‘Cranmer Hall has a prevailing culture of responsiveness to feedback in staff and students.’
The Warden of Cranmer Hall, the Revd Dr Nick Moore, said: ‘It is hugely encouraging to receive such strong external affirmation of all we are seeking to do as we form people to serve God, church, and world. Reviewers found our teaching and training to be of the highest quality. Above all, it is heartening to hear their judgment that Cranmer Hall has “a deeply embedded culture of graciousness and kindness”, which reflects our commitment to embody the fruit of the Spirit in all we do. We look forward to working with the report’s recommendations over the coming months to enhance our provision.’
The Deputy Warden, the Revd Canon Dr Emma Parker, added: ‘We give thanks to God for this amazing outcome. This affirmation is testimony to the faith, passion, commitment, and care which drives all the teaching, administration, leadership, worship, community-building and formation that happens here, and which keeps us rooted in Christ. We’re delighted that in this beautifully diverse community we are commended for our ‘commitment to inclusive worship – inclusive of age, gender, race, tradition and theological stance’, and we are encouraged to continue to be prayerfully bold in how we seek to respond to the needs of God’s (local and global) church today.’
The Principal of St John’s College, the Revd Prof. Jolyon Mitchell, commented: ‘Congratulations to the entire Cranmer team on this outstanding report. This is further evidence of why Cranmer Hall (at St John’s) is such an excellent and unique place to train to serve the church and the wider world. We are very grateful to the reviewers for their careful scrutiny of, and attention to, the life and work of Cranmer Hall here in Durham.’
Cranmer Hall is part of St John’s College, a recognized college of Durham University. It has been training people for ordained ministry in the Church of England for 115 years, and also offers training for Free Church ministry as well as postgraduate degrees for research and ministerial development, with over 140 students on its various programmes and pathways. We are currently expanding our research and training around the areas of church planting and children’s ministry and youth ministry.
To see the full report visit Cranmer Hall PER Report.
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