Month: July 2025

 

School News

Matthew Parker, Head of School at Wolvey CofE Primary writes:

“As part of GRT (Gypsy, Roma and Traveller) History Month, Wolvey CofE Primary School joined with another local school and representatives from Warwickshire County Council, including the fire and police services, to take part in an inspiring celebration held at the Police HQ. The theme this year was “Who Inspires Us?”—a perfect opportunity for our children to explore stories of resilience, courage and achievement from the GRT community and beyond.

Our pupils engaged in a range of creative activities, including art, music and craft workshops. Each activity helped deepen their understanding of different cultures and celebrate the diverse contributions of the GRT community. Roadshows showcased learning from many schools across the county, and we were proud to see our children’s voices and artwork represented.

This event reflected our school vision beautifully: “Embracing equality and experiencing excellence.” In a world where every child matters, it was a joy to see pupils living out our core values of kindness, friendship and respect. As Galatians 3:28 reminds us, “Among us you are all equal,” and this celebration reminded us of the power of inclusion and the importance of standing together to learn, love and grow.”

 

Beloved and Bereaved Resources Now Updated

The DBE’s bereavement support resources have been updated and are available on the DBE website under ‘general resources’. You can access them with the usual password.

 

CPD Coming Up to Book in the Autumn Term…

Click on the links below for more information and to book:

Improving the Impact of Collective Worship – 15.09.25

RE and the New Syllabus for ECTs – 22.09.25

Heads’ Termly Briefing – 24.09.25

Induction Event for Heads and Senior Leaders – 01.10.25

SIAMS for MATs Annual Update – 06.10.25

Heads’ Wellbeing Lunch Network – 05.11.25

SIAMS Termly Online Update – 17.11.25

Headteachers’ and Parish Partners’ Conference – 18.11.25

Flourish Through Leading: A 2-year programme for Middle Leaders – Register before half term

 

An End of Year Meesage from Andy Wolfe Executive Director of Education for the National Society for Education

As we reach the end of the academic year, we want first to thank you for all your incredible work this year serving your communities and enabling adults and children to flourish across your organisations. There will no doubt have been many challenges along the way, but also I hope, many glimpses of young people growing, learning, serving and leading – precious moments to take into a well earned summer rest! As ever it’s easy to end the term thinking of all the things that have not been done, or perhaps that haven’t gone as well as hoped – but let’s all take a moment to reflect on the journey travelled this year, and the gratitude we can find when we consider that journey together.

 

Hope you have a restful and restorative summer break!

Next Headlines will be on 5^th September.

School News

Fosse MAT Jamboree

On Friday 27^th June, 70 year-6 children and 15 staff from across the Fosse MAT gathered for the annual sleepover Jamboree at Tredington. iSingPOP had worked across all the schools the previous week and then on the day the children came together in song and dance for a main event concert.

They then participated in intra school sports competitions followed by a pizza and salad dinner with doughnuts. Finally they all toasted marshmallows on a camp fire before a very late bedtime!

 

Ann Fawcett – Celebrating 50 Years as Foundation Governor at Barford St Peter’s

Helen Gibson, the DBE’s Governance Officer had  privilege to attend the tea party held at Barford St Peter’s CofE Primary School on Friday 4 July to celebrate Ann Fawcett’s amazing 50 years’ service as Foundation Governor at the school.

We are in awe of the time and commitment Ann has given to the school over the years. She has been extremely dedicated in ensuring strong links between the school and the church and in the absence of a vicar, leads school services held in church. Her Christian vision for the school has never faltered.

 

SIAMS News

Congratulations to staff and governors at St Gabriel’s CofE Academy, Houlton on their recent SIAMS inspection. They were found to be living up to their foundation as a Church school, enabling pupils and adults to flourish. You can read the report here.

 

Pupil Voice Summer Term 2025 – Results

A big thank you to the schools that contributed to the DBE pupil voice exercise using the easy ‘smart school council’ link. Back in April the DBE asked the question:

What does it Feel Like to Pray?

 These were the voting results from both primary and secondary groups:

Question Options

1. It’s just you and God – 6 votes
2. A peaceful time – 9 votes – the winning vote
3. Like listening to yourself – 5 votes
4. I’m not sure, I don’t really do it – 7 votes
5. Other – share your own answer to this question – 1 vote

 

These children associate prayer with a peaceful time and a time to connect with both themselves and also God. The DBE will be using this insight to develop resources to suport spritiual developement and the development of reflective spaces.

 

Coventry DBE Officially Partners with Christian Aid

Coventry Diocese has become one of the first in the country to partner with Christian Aid as an official Global Neighbours Partner Diocese. This formalises the already close working relationship between the Diocesan Board of Education and Christian Aid.

Global Neighbours is an accreditation scheme developed by Christian Aid and the Church of England Education Office (National Society for Education), awarding schools for outstanding global citizenship education. Tim Burdon, Global Neighbours Development Coordinator at Christian Aid, said ‘We are really excited to be in partnership with Coventry Diocese. By working together in this way we will be able to enhance opportunities for children and young people across the diocese to become active global citizens and courageous advocates for justice’.

 

iSingPOP Pop Box Training for Your KS2 Worship Team

If you would like some support in using your POP Box with your worship team, or would like to start a worship team but don’t know where to begin, then Emma from iSingPOP can offer some training sessions for children, staff and clergy using your POP Box.

Contact Emma Kenyon iSingPOP Coventry Diocese Project Leader to discuss the options Emma.Kenyon@isingpop.com

 

For the full Headlines newsletter contact joanne.evans@coventrydbe.org

 

School News

Pupils from All Saints’ CofE Junior in Warwick joined a global congregation at Westminster Abbey, for a special service to mark the 80th anniversary of international development agency Christian Aid.

The event involved some 2,000 guests, from staff and supporters, to church leaders and charity partners from around the world, who came together to reflect on achievements of the past eight decades, give thanks, and recommit to the charity’s mission to end global poverty.

Headteacher, Sandra Sutherland, said: “We were delighted to be invited to participate in this special service, in recognition of our success in achieving the Gold Level of Christian Aid’s ‘Global Neighbours’ award. We travelled to London with all of the children in Year 4 for this inspiring opportunity; they had previously completed a virtual learning session and tour which helped them to appreciate the grandeur and magnificence of the Abbey.”

The school was accompanied by their newly appointed vicar, Sharon, who will start her role in the autumn term. A wonderful experience for the children and memorable to be part of the atmosphere outside, after the service, while the bells of Westminster Abbey sounded. They even managed to get a ‘selfie’ with Revd Kate Bottley, who was doing one of the readings!

 

Want Your Middle Leaders to Flourish in Their Role? Sign Them Up to the DBE’s Online Middle Leaders Programme for Next Academic Year

 Designed to support those with middle leadership roles in Church schools in Coventry Diocese to consider how to lead with Christian distinctiveness and to support them in becoming the leader they want to be.

The tow year programme is free as part of the Diocesan Service Agreement and uses a blend of online self-directed sessions with touching base meetings facilitated by Jen Jenkins, the DBE’s RE, SIAMS and Spirituality Officer,

 Many of the previous participants have gone on to senior positions and Headships in CofE schools, armed with more confidence and knowledge about leading Christian Education. Here is what some of them have said…

It has been the most supportive and uplifting course I’ve ever been on…

 I really have learnt so much over the past 2 years, and feel like a stronger, more capable leader as a result of your guidance.

Is this a leadership course? Yes, but its USP for me is that it has helped thoughtfully determine (with compassion) the type of leader I want to be and reaffirmed the ethical direction that I want to go in. Sometimes it is easy to get lost in the details of everyday life within an educational environment. This two-year course has been my anchor, threading through, it’s been there when I’ve needed it the most, often when I didn’t realise I needed it. Jen’s approach is one of care, gentle probing and ultimately facilitating a safe, reflective space in which to flourish. I highly recommend this course and its reading list!

 To find out more and sign up – see the course information here

 

For RE Leads

Do check out Jen Jenkins’ latest Summer Term RE Round Up.

 

For the full Headlines newsletter contact joanne.evans@coventrydbe.org