Hockerill Educational Foundation

The Hockerill Educational Foundation perpetuates the legacy of a historic Church of England teacher training college through grants advancing educational excellence, particularly religious education (RE) teaching and professional development. Rooted in Christian values of moral and spiritual growth, innovation in faith-based pedagogy, and high-quality teaching, it drives funding by prioritizing practical impact on RE practice, teacher professionalism, and church educational outreach. Believing systemic change arises from equipping educators with skills for inspirational, inclusive RE delivery, it fosters partnerships, national awards, and research to elevate standards in faith-integrated education.

It supports student teachers pursuing PGCE Religious Education or any-subject training with RE intent, in-service RE teachers and teaching assistants seeking continuing professional development through masters programs, part-time study, or qualifications enhancing RE pedagogy, and organizations delivering RE conferences, innovation prizes, research projects on RE practice, and initiatives like the Religious Education Quality Mark. Funding covers training fees, books, materials for moral education, spiritual development curricula, faith-based teaching methods, and pilot programs demonstrating benefits to church schools and RE classrooms. It addresses shortages in skilled RE educators, weak pedagogy, and limited spiritual engagement in schools via targeted interventions: professional training, pedagogical research, conference networking, award schemes recognizing RE innovation, and collaborative projects with bodies like NATRE to build evidence-based, engaging RE delivery for diverse pupil spiritual and moral needs.

Exclusions encompass non-teaching careers, ordination without teaching roles, primary/secondary school fees, English as additional language training, and most overseas projects. Distinctive for its Christian ethos and niche focus on RE teacher workforce leadership, it prioritizes beneficiaries from Church of England dioceses communities in eastern England regions like Essex, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, and Luton, favoring innovative, partnership-driven applicants advancing RE quality, church school teaching, and faith education professionalism over generic education.