History
The Full Story
The Early Vision (1970s)
In the mid-1970s, Roger Slack, a mathematics lecturer, and Ruth Saunderson, a primary school teacher, were newly married. Both loved the Lord Jesus and committed their lives to listening to Him together.​
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As their family grew, they and other local Christian families became increasingly concerned about the education offered in UK state schools. Together they searched the Bible for guidance on how God calls children to be raised and educated. To their surprise, they found abundant direction in His Word—leading to the birth of a vision for a new kind of school.
​Covenant Begins (1981)
On a bright March morning in 1981, Covenant Christian School opened its doors in a farmhouse in Reddish. Three children began their first lesson, the fruit of the prayers of six families.
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From the start, Covenant was to be distinctively Christian—biblical truth woven into every subject, a curriculum shaped like a happy home, and children loved for who God made them to be.​​​
​A Growing School (1985)
As more families joined, the school quickly outgrew its farmhouse beginnings. In 1985, Covenant moved to its current home in Heaton Moor. Over the years, there were many iterations and changes, but the school held firmly to its Christ-centred foundations—without sacrificing academic excellence, including excellent GCSE results.​
Thirty Years of Faithful Leadership (1981–2011)
For three decades, Roger and Ruth led Covenant from their own home, overcoming challenges and building a strong, joyful learning community. God called Ruth home to Himself in 2011, but the school remained in His care.​
Legacy and Future
From its humble beginnings, Covenant has nurtured children who have gone on to become agriculturalists, artists, doctors, engineers, missionaries, parents, pastors, and more. Many staff, and parents too, have poured themselves into this work as a labour of love. Since its founding, over 240 children—each one made in the image of God—have passed through its doors.​
Covenant continues to grow and adapt, but the heart remains the same: a school committed to Christ-centred relationships, a Christ-centred curriculum, Christ-centred aspirations, and a Christ-centred partnership.
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