ABOUT 1,000 pupils, teachers, parents and governors from 101 church schools will gather at Worcester Cathedral this weekend for a celebration of distinctiveness.

The event will also mark the 200th anniversary of the National Society for Promoting Religious Education.

That was founded in 1811 with the purpose of establishing a school in every parish to provide education for those who had no other opportunity – 50 years before the State saw the importance of providing free education.

Representatives from the 101 church schools in Worcestershire and Dudley will gather at the cathedral on Sunday.

Each church school has been invited to bring 10 members of their school community to join the celebration and all have been asked to learn the song Let the Children Come to Me, which has been especially written for the occasion.

The schools will also bring a shoebox decorated with the school logo and school ethos statement which will be put together during the service to make a big wall.

Ann Mundy, deputy director of education, said: “Our shoebox wall will signify the essential role played by church schools in giving children a solid foundation in both their education and their Christian faith.

“It will be a very special occasion for us to come together in one place to worship God and celebrate our achievements.”

During the service a copy of Pathways to Prayer, a collection written for children and parishes, will be presented to each school.

Pathways to Prayer is the latest publication from the Department for Children, Youth and Education.