Academy students Joseph Crotty, Munirah Akhter, Oliver Bakes and Archie Sylvian, with Archdeacon Joanne Grenfell, head of humanities Grace Duffy, principal Clive Barnes and St Luke's vicar the Rev Annie McCabe

STAFF and students at a Portsmouth academy can now make use of a new prayer room.

Charter Academy, in central Portsmouth, is our diocese’s only C of E secondary school on the mainland.

And the Archdeacon of Portsdown, the Ven Joanne Grenfell, who is also chair of governors there, officially opened the brand new prayer space at the academy last month.

It is a reflective space where students can ask questions about faith, pray, or speak to someone about an issue that is bothering them. It features a large wooden cross that was used in St Luke’s School, which became Charter Academy in 2009.

The Archdeacon was also joined by Canon Bob White, who is area dean, and the Rev Annie McCabe, who is vicar of the neighbouring St Luke’s Church.

The academy’s Head of Humanities Grace Duffy said: “The archdeacon also spent time in Year 9 and Year 10 lessons being asked various questions about her faith. The students had a fantastic time and felt honoured to meet the archdeacon.”

Students from Year 9 and Year 10 also got the chance to talk to Joanne in their lessons, asking her various questions about faith.

Charter Academy’s commitment to its Christian ethos includes collective worship for all staff and students.

The academy also hosts a prayer meeting for staff and students once a week, who pray for others in the schools community. And its FISCH group, which includes staff and local clergy, discuss the Christian values that underpin its collective worship and charity work.

School Pastors visit the academy during Friday lunchtimes. They are a group of trained Christians who can listen to any pastoral concerns that students have, including issues relating to faith. And, starting this term, the Rev Annie McCabe will lead a monthly Eucharist at the school.

The academy has confirmed that Clive Barnes, who was interim principal, will now fulfil that role permanently.

For more details, see: www.charteracademy.org.uk