The guidelines below explain how Christian groups in schools can be affiliated to Scripture Union. To download a pdf version of these guidelines, click here.

Why Should We Affiliate?

We ask groups to consider affiliating to Scripture Union for the following reasons.

• We want to give those running Christian groups in schools an opportunity to identify with the aims, beliefs and values of Scripture Union internationally. It is hoped that this will provide a basis for unity and make it possible for people from different churches to serve God together. It is also hoped that it will allay any concerns that principals may have in permitting a group to operate within the school or that parents may have in permitting their children to attend.
  
• We want those who share our aims, beliefs and values to have a sense of belonging together in the Scripture Union family and to benefit from the support and advice of SU staff, from the prayers of SU supporters and from opportunities to network in various ways with other SU leaders.
  
• As a movement, we also want to ensure that everything that happens in the name of Scripture Union honours the Lord and furthers His work.

How Do We Affiliate?

In order to be affiliated to Scripture Union, our policy is that the coordinator of the group must first be approved both by the school principal and by Scripture Union.

The coordinator must also agree to ensure that:

• all the adults regularly involved in the group are approved by the school principal in accordance with the DENI policy on child protection.
• all the adults regularly involved in the group receive a copy of and comply with our statement of Guidelines on Child Protection.
• all the adults involved in the group as leaders receive a copy of and are in agreement with our statement of Doctrinal and Policy Guidelines. (A leader is defined as anyone regularly involved in the planning and delivery of the spiritual programme.)
• where senior pupils are involved in the running of a group, they are supervised by at least one adult leader.

Anyone wishing to act as a coordinator is required to submit an application form and one written reference to Scripture Union. Applicants are informed in writing when their applications have been approved and a group may not be started until this approval has been given. If there are two or more separate groups within the school – e.g. junior and senior - the coordinator of each group is required to submit an application form and a reference.

Once approved, the coordinator is required to complete and return an information form to Scripture Union each year. This should include a list of all the adults involved in the group as leaders.

These are the only conditions of affiliation. Please note that:

• there is no charge for affiliation, although any gift you or your group would like to give towards the work of Scripture Union would be greatly appreciated.
• you are under no obligation to follow any particular teaching programme.

What Next?

Scripture Union staff members are available throughout the year to support Christian groups in schools. However, priority is given to affiliated groups.

All groups registered with us receive information about:

• resources for SU, RE and assemblies;
• SU holiday activities
• events for teachers or for pupils in your area.

As well as this, affiliated groups:

• receive a free handbook of ideas and advice (primary schools only);
• are entitled to 10% discount on anything they purchase from the Resource Centre.   
  

If, for any reason, your group chooses not to affiliate please understand that you may not use the name or the logo of Scripture Union for your group. 

We do hope that your group will choose to affiliate to Scripture Union and join with us as TOGETHER we invest in the lives of children and young people. This investment accrues for life!