CHURCH of England schools are “calm and hopeful anchors” for children in their communities, the Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, told C of E school leaders at the National Society’s annual conference last Friday. She thanked the leaders for their commitment to building strong communities in which children could flourish, and for the Church’s own commitment to education for all. “There are strong C of E trusts across the country building communities of schools. More than one million children are educated in Church of England schools. The day ended with a performance by Twyford C of E High School’s gospel choir.