The Rt Rev John Saxbee, Bishop of Lincoln, has accepted the invitation of the Archbishops of Canterbury, York and Wales to chair the Church of England Board of Education and the National Society Council, with effect from 1 December 2008.

The Bishop of Lincoln will succeed the Rt Rev Dr Kenneth Stevenson, Bishop of Portsmouth, as the Bishop with lead responsibility for the Church of England’s policy on education.

Bishop Saxbee will also take the lead on speaking on educational issues in the House of Lords, which he joined earlier this year.

“I greatly look forward to getting stuck into promoting the Church’s extensive involvement in all types of education, from the role of university and college chaplains through to holiday clubs for young children," he said.

"In the last month in my own diocese, with the opening of a new academy in Scunthorpe, we have seen how the Church’s ongoing investment in education has the power to improve the lives of individual young people and support the flourishing of the wider community.

"Education is at the heart of the Church’s service to the nation as a symbol of Christ’s serving love, and it is a particular privilege to follow in the footsteps of Bishop Kenneth in this role.”

The appointment comes at an important time for the Church’s engagement with education at all levels, including ambitious plans for the development of more church secondary schools.

Bishop Stevenson said: “To serve the Church of England Board of Education and National Society has been an honour, not least because it has given me the opportunity to see at first hand many examples of the innovative work going on across the country within both statutory and voluntary education settings.

“It is an incredibly fast-moving sector in terms of both policy and practice, but by keeping focused on Christ’s example as a teacher the Church will continue to develop learning communities that nurture Gospel values of inclusivity and distinctiveness. I wish Bishop John, and all those who work in education, all the very best in their important and rewarding work.”

The Rev Janina Ainsworth, the Church of England’s Chief Education Officer, said: “This is an exciting time for the Board of Education and the National Society. The Church of England is engaged across the whole educational landscape, through schools, colleges and voluntary provision. We look forward to working with Bishop John to extend those opportunities, particularly in areas of greatest need.”