Moorlands College are currently involved in a wide-ranging Market Research project and have recently commissioned a perception survey of current students and Graduates going back to the year 2000.

Moorlands Colleges operates in a competitive and diverse marketplace. The findings from Phase 1 of our Market Research project outlined in 2007, present particular challenges that we face in being ‘key players’ in Christian Theological training in the UK.

Headlines from the rent Graduate and Student perception survey were as follows:

1.     198 (49%) people responded in total. 150 (37%) completed all 30 questions. These figures represent an excellent return rate. This is well above the industry average of 26% for surveys of this nature.

2.    The top 5 considerations in students choosing Moorlands were:

•    Balance of academic v practical training,

•    Friendly atmosphere

•    Offers a recognised qualification

•    Evangelical nature of the College

•    Good Pastoral care

In 4 out of the above 5 we had ratings of 79% satisfaction or above. Satisfaction with pastoral care came in at 51%.

3.    85% of students and graduates considered only 5 other colleges

4.    The top five ‘descriptors’ of Moorlands were:

•    Practical training

•    Theology

•    Evangelical

•    God-centred

•    Community

5.    Over 90% strongly agree or agree that Moorlands provides good academic training, good practical training and have good lecturers who are experienced practitioners in their field.

6.    Over 90% believe that graduates are well prepared for specialist ministry in their vocational area and are generally prepared well for Christian leadership.

7.    93% believe we encourage student’s to grow as disciples of Jesus Christ.

8.    96% of replies indicate that the Learning Support facilities are very good.

For a full copy of the findings please contact andrew.wileman@moorlands.ac.uk

Throughout this term Sophia Network will be undertaking a consultative process to identify the key areas in which Sophia can be proactive. As part of that process, there was a Regional Consultation meeting held at Moorlands College on 20th February 2008. This was one of several regional consultations designed to network with women who are involved in leadership and help inform the development and work of Sophia.

A very valuable evening was enjoyed by all in attendance and it provided a real opportunity for women in leadership to network, support each other, share wisdom and explore ways of working together.

As part of this process, there is also to be a consultation in London on Wednesday 5th March at the London Institute of Contemporary Christianity, and members and supporting organisations have been invited.

For more information,check out the Sophia Network Website

To celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Moorlands college, BBC Radio 4 have agreed to broadcast ‘live’ our Sunday Morning Service on 28th September 2008.

Over 1.5 million listeners tune-in every week to listen to the service which will feature staff, students and supporters of the College.

More news on this to follow...

Moorlands College are delighted to announce that the Rev Ian Coffey has joined the Faculty as the Director of Leadership Training.

Ian is a prolific writer and public speaker and is a member of the Spring Harvest Leadership Team. He is also the former Pastor of the Mutley Baptist Church in Plymouth and the Crossroads Church in Geneva, Switzerland.

In accepting this new appointment Ian says "I see this as a great opportunity to serve a new generation of leaders who are facing the challenge of engaging in the mission of God in a fast changing world. Moorlands is a college with a long tradition of equipping men and women for effective service and I am honoured by their invitation to join the teaching staff."

The principal of Moorlands College. Rev Dr Steve Brady also warmly welcomes this new role.

“Local churches desperately need ‘missional pastors’: pastors, who care for the lost; evangelists, who care about the local church.

Ian’s own gifting as a pastor-evangelist makes him an ideal mentor for a rising generation of Christian leaders. We are thrilled that Ian and his wife Ruth have decided to join us.

Starting in 2008, Moorlands College in Christchurch, Dorset is launching an exciting new Children and Schools Work option for students studying for a BA or BA (Hons) in Applied Theology.

Launched in the Diamond Jubilee year of Moorlands College, The Children and Schools Work option will add to five existing areas of specialised study in Youth and Community Work, Community and Family studies, Evangelism, Pastoral and Cross Cultural studies.

The BA or BA (Hons) in Applied Theology degree will offer specialised studies in all aspects of the Biblical, Theological and contemporary concepts of childhood and education. In addition, prospective students will have excellent opportunities to have practical hands-on training in educational settings.

Students will be able to take the course either as a full-time College-based student or as a Placement-based student where a student can combine the best training and work in a school, church or voluntary organisation.

For further details contact admissions@moorlands.ac.uk