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Appendix 8
Inspection
of the Cambridge
1.1 An inspection was
carried out between April and November, 1998 of the Cambridge Theological
Federation, (of which Westminster College and the East Anglian Ministerial
Training Course are members) by an ecumenical team representing the
various institutions which make up the Federation. They reported in Spring
1999. The inspectors were:
For the House of Bishops, Church of England:
The Revd Bob Langley (Canon
Residentiary, Newcastle Cathedral); The Revd Canon Martin Coombs (formerly
Team Vicar, Dorchester); Mr Brian Gates (Lecturer Department of Religion
and Social Ethics, University College of St Martin, Lancaster); Professor
Elaine Graham (Samuel Ferguson Professor in Social and Pastoral Theology,
University of Manchester); The Revd Canon Maureen Palmer (Canon
Residentiary, Guildford Cathedral)
For the Methodist Church, Formation in Ministry Office:
The Revd Dr Kenneth Wilson
(Tutor, The Queens College, Birmingham); Miss Joan Charlesworth (Formerly
Head of Careers Service, University of Kent);
For the Training
Committee, United Reformed Church:
The Revd Dr Jack McKelvey (Formerly Principal, Northern College,
Manchester); The Revd John Slow (Retired Minister)
For the Roman Catholic Church:
Dr Helen Forshaw FHCJ
1.2 Between April and
mid-November 1998, members of the Inspection team made a number of visits
to various Federation meetings. They also addressed several aspects of the
life of the member institutes, including meeting members of governing
bodies.
1.3 In the period of
residence in Cambridge, the Inspectors attended a wide range of occasions
in the life of the Federation, the Council, the Executive and its
committees. They experienced a variety of teaching sessions and met with
cross-sections of the teaching staff and supervisors concerned for
different elements in the educational and formational programme. They saw
students, and spouses drawn from across the Federation. They met with
individuals from the Cambridge Divinity Faculty.
1.4 In relation to member
institutes (such as Westminster College), they had discussions with
members of staff and students; they attended in-house teaching courses,
worship and other specific events of the institutes. They considered the
administrative and financial aspects of the different institutions and
spoke to those responsible.
2 Summary
of the Inspection Report of the Cambridge Theological Federation
2.1 ‘There is much to
celebrate about the achievement of the Federation since the last
inspection both in terms of the development of its own identity, and the
benefits it has brought to its member institutes and those training for
ministry.’ (Inspection Report Page 3 1.1)
2.2 ‘The Cambridge
Theological Federation’s ecumenically planned and taught educational
programme provides a unique and excellent opportunity for the training of
men and women for ministry. Its development over the last decade has been
remarkable. The evident momentum for further development driven by
powerful theological, educational and economic considerations. A critical
stage has now been reached.
2.3 ‘This report takes the two elements of purpose in the Mission Statement, “the provision of education, training and formation for lay and ordained ministry” and “within an ecumenical fellowship” as central criteria in looking at present practice. Likewise the main recommendations are designed to enable the Federation to draw out of the Mission Statement the great potential which still remains to be mined. They seek to help it to move forward in a coherent fashion to the next stage, to find still more effective ways in which the variety of Christian tradition and educational approaches can interact with one another to the advantage of all. They are concerned to enable the Federation to develop its own identity without losing the diversity of the constituent parts, and to serve the region more effectively.’
(Cambridge Theological
Federation Inspection report page 2)
2.4 The Training Committee
considered the Inspection Report and wishes to congratulate the Cambridge
Theological Federation on its achievements to which, it is evident,
Westminster College has made a considerable contribution.
3 Summary
of the Recommendations to the Cambridge Theological Federation
3.1 We recommend that
the Federation Council carries out a comprehensive review of its aims and
objectives. (A working party has been set up to consider these)
3.2 We recommend that
attention is given as to how the particular contribution offered by the
Margaret Beaufort Institute of Theology can be further appropriated by
other member institutes. (In hand)
3.3 We recommend that
from next year the roles of President and Vice-President should be filled
by Principals. (Under discussion)
3.4 We recommend that
there should be a new post of Administrative Officer. (Agreed
subject to funding)
3.5 We recommend that
the governing bodies of the institutes within the Federation explore how
communication between them might be enhanced. (In hand;
cross-representation on governing bodies, in place and occasions when
governing bodies and staff meet together being discussed. Liaison
Committee meets annually)
3.6 We recommend the
establishment of a Teaching and Learning Committee responsible for
bringing about a greater degree of co-ordination and support across the
Federation in relation to staff:
• appointments
• deployment,
especially in relation to specialist
• development
• equalisation of
policies with regard to Faculty
• appraisal
• quality
control/standards
and in relation to the
educational programme:
attending to the
streamlining and rationalisation of courses, and a more co-ordinated
approach to the validating authorities. (Committee now established)
3.7 We recommend that
the President and Principals meeting uses a consultant at appropriate
intervals. (In hand) (Useful process in progress as part of 3.1)
3.8 We recommend a
review of the arrangements for the support of students and families
through the process of ministerial formation, and the identification and
communication of best practice across the institution. (In hand; a
working party which includes students, has worked on this)
3.9 We therefore
recommend that the Directors of Pastoral Studies in each institute
set in train a collective review of the In-House Courses on behalf of the
Federation, and under the auspices of the Teaching and Learning Committee.
(Will happen as the Teaching and Learning Committee starts on its
work)
3.10 We recommend that
consideration be given to extending the Induction Programme for students
entering the Federation to help them to locate themselves better within
the ecumenical history as well as in their own tradition, and in the
context of Cambridge and their house in the Federation. (Object
being pursued in other ways)
3.11 We recommend the consideration of a post-graduate qualification in ecumenism.
(Not at the present
time.)
3.12 We recommend that
the Federation reviews the relationship, and roles in course development,
of institutes and supervisors in attachments and placements. (In
hand, pending new appointments at Westcott and EAMTC)
3.13 We recommend that
the full development of the Information Technology infrastructure is
pursued as rapidly as possible to facilitate communication and student and
staff learning resources, and that IT training is made available to all. (considerable
progress has been made)
3.14 We recommend that
the level and number of administrative staff is kept under review in order
to ensure, in institutes and Federation, effective and efficient
organisation and administration. (In hand) (Has been reviewed in
each case)
3.15 We recommend that
the denominational authorities consider how best to resource the
Federation to move into the next phase of its life.’ (URC has
devolved financial responsibility to Westminster College; Anglican and
Methodist Churches still to reply)
4 Summary
of the Inspection Report of Westminster College
4.1 The College is an
enthusiastic member of the Federation, contributing to its life and work
in numerous ways. It has coped well with changes in the academic staff,
the appointment of a new Principal and Bursar. The newly established Board
of Governors is getting into its stride and addressing a range of
important concerns. The setting up of the Cheshunt Institute for Reformed
Studies and the relocation of the United Reformed Church History Society
Library at the College marks the beginning of what could become a
significant resource for the churches, while the location of the Henry
Martyn Library and the North Atlantic Missionary Project has increased the
international profile of the College.
4.2 Staff development and
appraisal procedures are now operating. The staff is fully occupied with
the diversification which has become a feature of the Colleges work. Lay
training, conferences, summer schools take place on a regular basis and
the staff play an important role in the national Training for Learning and
Serving course.
4.3 Since the previous
inspection many improvements have been carried out at the College. The
library now has two computer terminals which are linked to the University
Library and have internet facilities. There are also 24 points for
students to connect personal lap-top computers to the internet. A new
computer network has been installed and a room furnished as a student IT
facility.
4.4 The Inspectors commend
the College for the attention it is paying to the criteria for ministerial
training set up by the General Assembly in 1995 and are pleased in
particular with the increased attention being paid to placements,
integration and collaboration in teaching and learning.
4.5 The decision of the
1998 General Assembly of the United Reformed Church that the College will
be part of its long-term training strategy has enabled the staff and
governors to give their attention to working on ways and means of
assisting the Church in providing training for new forms of ministry,
developing continuing ministerial education and post ordination training.
Similarly, the possibility of increasing teaching, seminar, tutorial space
and additional studies for tutors is being explored by the Board of
Governors.
4.6 The Inspectors are
impressed by the work being done by the academic and administrative staff
which is additional to their responsibilities for the training of
theological students, but they express concern over the workloads being
carried by the staff. Ironically, the use being made of computers and word
processors is proving to be a mixed blessing for the teaching staff in as
much as it has resulted in their doing much of their own secretarial work.
5 Summary
of the Recommendations to Westminster College
The Inspectors made the
following recommendations to Westminster College: (The recommendations are
printed in heavy type subsequent action taken by the College is note in
light italic type).
5.1 ‘We recommend that
the College explore with other members of the Federation further ways of
fostering ecumenism. (In hand)
5.2 We recommend that
the Governors are encouraged to have the United Reformed Church complete
the transfer of financial responsibility to the College. (Helpful
sessions are continuing with the Finance Office)
5.3 We recommend that the staff are encouraged to work with the staff of the Federation to reduce the number of courses and pastoral studies units on offer. (Recognition of the Pastoral Studies component of the BTh degree is already in hand)
5.4 We recommend that
the administrative staff are increased by providing the Principal with a
personal assistant who will work half-time and devote the other half of
their time to secretarial work. (An assistant has been appointed)
5.5 We recommend an
increase in the hours of the part-time work done by the Bursar. (Done)
5.6 We recommend that
the provision for pastoral care of students and their families is
reviewed. (The Governors have agreed that such a review will be
undertaken)
5.7 We recommend that
security arrangements at the College are reviewed, and the method used to
admit callers at the front door of the College be improved. (In
hand)
5.8 We recommend that
more off-site accommodation for married students be acquired. (The
Governors acknowledge that there may be a need for more such
accommodation, though they note that not all married students wish to move
their families to Cambridge. It may be necessary to make hard choices
between investment in further development of the teaching facility on the
main site and purchase of further properties.)
5.9 We recommend that
the steps being taken to conserve the archival material be discussed with
the University of Cambridge. (In hand; a part time appointment has
been made)
5.10 We recommend that
further ways are found of making it possible for lay persons and ordinands
to undertake learning together.’ (Most of Cambridge University is
lay; the MA is open to lay people. The Governors would prefer to encourage
greater exploitation of the opportunities which already exist rather than
to try invent new ones)
6 Summary
of Recommendations to the East Anglian Ministerial Training Course
6.1 All the members of the
Inspection Team were greatly impressed by the progress made by the Course
since the last inspection, its clarity of direction, its drive and energy,
its organisational efficiency, the innovation of the Peterborough Project,
the ever- increasing links with theological education at all levels in
East Anglia, and its quite justifiable sense of being at ‘the leading
edge of theological education and ministerial formation’. (Cambridge
Theological Federation Inspection Report page 28)
6.2 We recommend that
the Course addresses the questions raised by the increasing number of
students, and either considers capping the total number the Course can
take or devises different approaches. (EAMTC prefer to discern and
develop the advantages of a ‘mixed economy’ of strategies)
6.3 We recommend that
the Council explore further the matter of staff housing, and set in train
quinquennial inspections of the properties for which they have
responsibility. (In hand)
6.4 We recommend that an
academic post should be filled by a non-Anglican as soon as the
opportunity arises. (Fulfilled by staff appointment, April 1999)
6.5 We recommend that
the present arrangements for local tutoring be reviewed. (In hand)
6.6 We recommend that
the remuneration of local tutors and part-time teaching staff be reviewed.
(Visiting speakers receive fees)
6.7 We recommend that
the purpose and size of the various groups, and the roles of staff and
students within them, be reviewed. (In hand)
6.8 We recommend that
the administrative support to the Principal be increased. (In hand)
7 Training
Committee Response
7.1 The Training Committee considered the Inspection Report and wishes to congratulate the Cambridge Theological Federation on its achievements to which, it is evident, Westminster College has made a considerable contribution. The section of the Report dealing specifically with Westminster College is also very positive and notes such developments as the setting up of the Cheshunt Institute for Reformed Studies, the relocation of the United Reformed Church History Society Library and the locating of the Henry Martyn Library and the currents in World Christianity Project at the college.
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