IN January I was appointed as Christ Church Cathedral’s new education officer and I feel very blessed to have one of the oldest and most beautiful buildings in the diocese as my “classroom”.

Although it is one of the country’s smallest cathedrals, Christ Church is a vibrant centre of prayer, discovery, learning and hospitality for its college community, the city and the 2.2 million people in the diocese.

Its purpose is to support all those who visit and worship there to encounter, enhance and develop a relationship with God.

Christ Church has almost half a million visitors every year, many of whom are on Hogwarts or Wonderland trails, but the cathedral remains a sacred space, where the life of Jesus Christ is remembered and celebrated day by day.

Seeing pupils respond to the cathedral with awe and wonder and listening to their comments and questions has convinced me that the cathedral provides children and young people with a unique opportunity to explore their own spirituality and discover more about Christian belief and ministry.

For several years, Christ Church has offered schools tours and workshops which supplement classroom learning.

Cathedrals are immensely rich learning resources, and teachers appreciate the power and importance of learning outside the classroom: handling objects; encountering art and music; listening to stories; formulating questions and discussing key issues.

Because most groups may represent differing faiths or none, we attempt to ensure that every individual can take something of spiritual worth and personal value from the experience.

When they visit, primary pupils may dress up as medieval pilgrims to learn about Saint Frideswide, pilgrimage and monastic life or, as Tudor townsfolk, consider the upheavals of the Reformation in the history of church and state.

Secondary pupils may choose from a range of options and can even “grill a canon”, posing questions about society, ethics, and issues of worship and belief.

Sixth form seminars on specific topics can also be arranged.