Last updated 7th July 2025

Curate training

In the Church of England, Initial Ministerial Education (IME) takes place over a period of up to seven years and is divided into two parts:

IME Phase 1 is the period of up to three years when ordinands are trained at their theological college or course (context-based or part-time). There is a mixture of academic learning and practical placements.

IME Phase 2 is the period of curacy. Newly-ordained ministers (both deacons and priests) serve a ‘title’ as a curate for a period of up to four years. A curacy is a training post and there are several strands to this training.

Please note the dates for IME2 training (covering September 2025 to July 2026).

A blank copy of the ministry agreement between Curate and Training Incumbent is available here.

The forms used for placements are this working agreement document available here, and this end of placement report form available here.

The end of year one Training Incumbent questionnaire is available here.

IME2 Handbooks

Please view the handbook for Assistant Level Ministry.

Please view the handbook for Incumbent Level Ministry.

There is a document available with the expectations of a Training Incumbent outlined.

For further information contact our Start of Ministry Officers:
-Rev Jon Price jon.price@blackburn.anglican.org
-Rev Helen Scamman helen.scamman@blackburn.anglican.org

Quicklinks

Curate training

IME2 Handbooks

Resources

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