National Society News

Following the conclusion of the Makin Review four-step process, the National Society for Education (NSE) acknowledges that the National Safeguarding Team (NST) will apply to bring a complaint under the Clergy Disciplinary Measure against Bishop Paul Butler, who served as chair of the NSE’s trustees from January 2020 to December 2023. 

The Makin Review examined the Church’s handling of the horrific abuse by the late John Smyth. At the heart of this case are the survivors and victims who have endured lifelong effects from this appalling abuse. 

We welcome the due process and diligence of the NST and await the findings. 

While the Church of England supports its schools through Diocesan Boards of Education, these schools are part of the state education system and are fully accountable to the Department for Education, Ofsted, and local authority safeguarding arrangements. The Church does not run these schools operationally and their safeguarding arrangements are fully independent of the Church. 

The NSE has robust safeguarding arrangements in place for all its activities and is committed to upholding the highest standards of safeguarding in the areas we are responsible for. 

26th February 2025