Staindrop Church of England Primary School has been appointed as a Growing Faith Foundation (GFF) Learning Hub, becoming one of only 14 new hubs nationally to be launched by the Church of England in January 2026.
The appointment follows the school’s successful application for a GFF grant, which will resource the Learning Hub over a two-year period. Learning Hubs are designed to act as strong developmental communities of practice, enabling school and church leaders, both regionally and nationally, to learn from innovative approaches to strengthening the partnership between school, church and home.
The hubs will serve as centres of innovation, supporting schools and churches to further embed creative practices that nurture faith, learning and community life.
Diocese Schools Chaplaincy Lead Catherine Simpson praised the achievement, saying it reflected the strength of local collaboration. She said: “This is testimony to their amazing partnership working across the local schools and local churches. The award reflects your dedication to fostering a vibrant, values-centred environment where faith and learning flourish together.”
Central to Staindrop CE Primary School’s work is its ‘Exploring Faith’ programme, which weaves Gospel principles and biblical understanding of God’s Kingdom throughout the primary curriculum. The programme encourages curiosity and questioning, helping pupils to engage with faith across the whole school environment.
Developed by Deputy Headteacher Caroline Harland and Chair of Governors Paula Kirkup, the programme was conceived in 2022, piloted in 2023, and formally presented by Headteacher Steve Whelerton to the Diocese and the Growing Faith Foundation in 2024.
Reflecting on the programme’s origins, Caroline Harland said the idea emerged after observing pupils’ experiences at diocesan leavers’ services. “Every year our Year 6 pupils would go to the Diocese’s Leaver Services, where our children realised that other children were also excited by the amazing faith experience in Durham Cathedral. I thought it was a shame that this happened right before they left us. So, the idea of ‘faith explorers’ was to enable them to start that journey woven into their learning at Staindrop Primary.”
She added that faith exploration was designed to extend beyond the classroom. “We realised that exploring faith wasn’t confined to school. So, we incorporated enquiring in their home lives, with their families and community.”
Paula Kirkup, who is also an Authorised Children’s Minister in the parishes of Staindrop, Gainford, Winston and Ingleton, said the vision was always to share the programme more widely. “Since we invested our time on the carefully tested development of Faith Explorers, we wanted it to go on to benefit lots of other schools, and the youth ministry of church communities. So, the idea of being a GFF Learning Hub was conceived.”
The work of the Learning Hub will be supported by strong parish and school partnerships across the area. The Revd Canon Eileen Harrop, who leads four rural parishes with three Church of England primary schools, highlighted the wider impact of the initiative. She noted the close relationship with Staindrop Academy, a non-faith secondary school that receives many of the area’s primary leavers.
“Staindrop Primary’s GFF Learning Hub already has an eager catchment,” she said. “Our Youth Club, based in Gainford with young people who attend many other schools, would also be able to engage with the Faith Explorers programme.”
She also highlighted the role of mission-focused youth work in the community. “Our churches sponsored a Missioner, Sarah Fells, to work in schools, at the club and Messy Church with young people, schools and families. Together with Sheila Jones, co-lead of our church plant GATHER, Sarah has been invited to hold a weekly after-school club in Staindrop Academy open to pupils who wish to continue exploring and coming to faith.”
The appointment marks a significant milestone for Staindrop CE Primary School and its partners, as the school prepares to support and inspire other schools and churches through its role as a Growing Faith Foundation Learning Hub.
David Akers, Diocesan Director of Education, Durham and Newcastle Diocesan Boards of Education, said: “We are delighted that Staindrop CE Primary School has been appointed as a Growing Faith Hub. This is recognition of the excellent work the school has been doing for many years. We are excited to see how the school can support others within the Diocese, particularly around their ‘Exploring Faith’ programme.”