Welcome
| The Diocese of Portsmouth and the Diocese of Winchester are neighbouring dioceses within the Church of England, serving communities across Hampshire and surrounding areas on England’s south coast. The Diocese of Portsmouth, created in 1927, covers south-east Hampshire including Portsmouth and nearby towns, with a strong focus on urban, coastal, and island communities. The Diocese of Winchester is one of the Church of England’s oldest dioceses, tracing its origins to the 7th century, and serves a larger area across much of Hampshire, combining historic cathedral traditions with ministry in both rural and urban settings. Together, the two dioceses play a significant role in supporting worship, education, community engagement, and pastoral care across the region. | |
|
Prof. Bill Lucas Chair |
An introduction to the Diocesan Board of Education (DBE)The DBE is a statutory body which is responsible for Church schools and academy trusts in the dioceses of Portsmouth and Winchester. Our role is to:
In 2024 we became a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), a registered charity, with a board of trustees As a DBE we develop strategies to carry out our important roles, ensuring that, through our officers, the vision is translated into action on the ground to ensure that pupils and staff in all of our schools can flourish. Our 139 Church of England schools across the two dioceses educate some 38 000 pupils each day. It's my privilege to serve as the Chair of the Portsmouth and Winchester DBE, working with a talented group of trustees, officers and local authority partners to encourage and support all those working in education. |
Mission
Equipping church schools to nurture faith, wisdom, and community — enabling every child to flourish academically, spiritually, and personally in the love of Christ and the fullness of life He offers.
Vision
Our vision is to see every child and young person within our diocesan schools flourish. Rooted in the love of Christ, we seek to nurture wisdom, hope, and dignity in education, inspiring schools to be places where learning is transformative and every individual is valued. We aim to equip leaders, support staff, and serve communities so that our schools reflect the Kingdom of God—inclusive, compassionate, and ambitious for all. Together, we work to ensure that education is not only academically excellent but also deeply rooted in Christian values, shaping lives of purpose, service, and hope.
Summary of Core Services
Our team supports church schools across the whole of Hampshire, East Dorset and the Isle of Wight. We offer advice and support on improving academic standards, recruiting headteachers, school buildings, admissions, collective worship, religious education and a school’s Christian ethos.
Our education team is based in Portsmouth’s diocesan offices, and includes specialists in school buildings, admissions, finance and academies. Our team can be contacted via details available here:
