Month: September 2025

School News

 

SIAMS

Congratulations to staff and governors at Holy Trinity CofE Primary who had their SIAMS inspection in late summer term. 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.

 

Launch of The Difference for Primary Schools

Joanne Evans, the DBE’s Services to Schools Officer was at Lambeth Palace this week for the formal launch of the Difference for Primary Schools. Already being delivered in churches, prisons and secondaries schools, this free suite of resources will help your school navigate an increasingly complex world, inspired by Jesus to embrace difference and champion a culture of hope and empathy.

We will be delivering a workshop for you (or a colleague) to lead this in your school at the forthcoming Headteacher and Parish Partners’ Conference on Tuesday 18^th November at Ardencote Manor Hotel. Do book your place here.

Each primary school attending will also receive a free copy of ‘Heroes of Hope’ written by Revd Dr Sharon Prentis, Alysia-Lara Ayonrinde. This book, for children aged 8 to11 years, celebrates the achievements of Christians of global majority heritage who lived out their faith and made a positive difference in their communities and beyond. Their stories of courage, determination, and faith, along with eye-catching illustrations, will inspire pupils to recognize the power of faith and the potential within themselves to influence those around them positively.

 

News from the National Society for Education

Annual Conference and ‘Festival of Flourishing’

The 8th annual National Conference, with the new title of FlourishED National, is taking place on 22 January 2026 at SAINT Church, Hackney, London – the birthplace of the National Society for Education, a thriving church and iconic music venue.

The theme for this year is ‘Class of 2040: Putting young people at the centre’ – and it will celebrate young people, sharing new opportunities for them to grow and develop and reminding ourselves of the reason that we as leaders are working so hard (often in adversity) to enable children to flourish.

There will be a range of inspirational speakers, worship, prayer and the chance to bring together the network across the country, including the inaugural ‘Festival of Flourishing in the Creative Arts’ (more details and how to apply here). The day will close with a networking dinner, hosted by the NSE, with the programme ending at 7:00pm.

To find out more about the programme, the ‘Festival of Flourishing’ and to get tickets, click here.

 

Headteacher Termly Briefing

Thanks for those that attended the DBE’s Headteacher Briefing yesterday afternoon. The recording, slides and additional information will all be sent via email shortly.

 

DBE Website – Password Change Notice

Please note that the password for the DBE resources on our website will change on Friday 26 September. We will email the new password to academies and all Diocesan Service Agreement (DSA) subscribing schools.

 

Christingle at Coventry Cathedral for your Pupils

Coventry Cathedral would love to welcome you and your pupils to this year’s Christingle Event at the Cathedral dressed in all its Christmas glory!  The event offers pupils the opportunity to join together with children from other schools to deepen their learning about the Christian faith, and to sing and celebrate together at the beginning of the Christmas season.

During the event they will be build the giant Christingle oranges in the centre of the nave, whilst explaining the symbolism of the different elements.  They will invite a number of pupils from each school to hold a lit Christingle as the final  song is sung, creating a circle of light.

There will be the opportunity for you to showcase the talents of your children in a beautifully festive setting.  They would like some children to read bible verses and prayers, and theywould welcome performances of songs, dance or drama.

The event will be held over three sessions this year:

Tuesday 9th December – Morning session 10am-12pm

Tuesday 9th December – Afternoon session 1pm-2pm

Wednesday 10th December – Morning session 10am-12pm

The cost of the event is £3 per pupil.   This price includes an orange and all the necessary trimmings, so that you can return to school to make your own Christingles!

Families are welcome to join the event for free.  Please let the Cathedral know approximate numbers in advance.

If you are interested please contact our Bookings Manager on School.Bookings@CoventryCathedral.org  to confirm which date and session you would like to attend.  You will be forwarded a booking form to be completed and returned before Friday 7th November 2025.

 

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

 

School News – SIAMS

Congratulations to staff and governors at Moreton Morrell CofE Primary who had their SIAMS inspection in late summer term. 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.

 

The Latest Grove Education Booklet Available – Ed65

‘SEND Matters: A Vision of Inclusion for Pupils with Additional Needs’ by Des Ricketts-Chu

This latest in the Grove Education series, designed to be read in an hour, is written by Des Ricketts-Chu a head teacher at a Church of England primary school in a deprived area of the West Midlands..

With an increasing number of children being identified as having additional needs, how can schools ensure that all are fully included in school life? What does ‘life in all its fullness’ look like for children who find some elements of life more challenging? How can we best prepare these children for life both in and beyond the classroom? This book presents how one church school has chosen to address the potentially overwhelming SEND challenges faced by schools today.

Find it on the DBE website general resources section – look for ‘Grove Booklets’ and use the usual password

 

Headteacher Termly Briefing – Weds 24 Sept – Live Event

Please do join us for the Autum Term Heads’ Briefing on Wednesday 24 Sept 14.00-15.30 on Zoom. This is a live event but will also be recorded. This session will feature DBE updates, opportunities and our ‘hints and best practice’ showcase slot. The full agenda will be publsihsed soon. Book here.

 

Loving Our Neighbours – New Collective Worship Resource from the National Society for Education

The National Society have produced new resources for primary and secondary looking specifically at loving our neighbours in hard times, in response to the rising tension nationally regarding asylum seekers. Find them here

 

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

Start of Term Message from Revd April Gold

Welcome Back!

Dear friends it is lovely to be able to write and welcome you back to a new school year, and to welcome some new colleagues. In particular we welcome:

David Briggs the new CEO at Fosse MAT , Jenny Mitchell-Hilton at Kineton CofE Primary and  Alex Whiting and Hannah Young at Wilmcote CofE Primary, Head of School and Executive Head respectively.

I hope that over the next few months you will take a bit of time to reach out to your local neighbours in the Diocesan family to support and learn from each other.

I attended the Inspire Education Trust staff conference on Tuesday and came away Inspired (pun intended) by the focus on how we educate the current cohort of students to face a world of uncertainty and still be able to thrive. This 2 min trailer was particularly thought provoking and I hope you will find it helpful as you think about your purposes as lead educators.

The film resonates with our Alive 2023 “World Changers” theme and I know that many of you have continued to look for ways to enable your children and young people to exercise courageous advocacy through Global Neighbours, Climate committees and Young Leader’s awards. You may want to think about getting involved with Future Council. Do share these stories with us, it is always inspiring to hear stories of children being agents of change and proving that education is the tool by which we will create a world of equality, inclusion and justice.

Do get in touch if we can be of help in any way or you just want to share something exciting or need a listening ear, we are all in this journey together.

Many Blessings,

April

 

A prayer for the new school year…

Gracious and Loving God,

We come before you today with anticipation and hope for the new academic year.

We thank you for the wonder of our minds, bodies, and spirits, and for the gifts of learning and discovery.

Bless all children and young people as they begin this new school year.

Develop in them wisdom and strength, and fill their minds with knowledge. Inspire them with a passion for learning and the curiosity to ask good questions.

Keep them safe during their school days, and help them to build kind and respectful friendships with their peers.

We pray for all the teachers, support staff, and wider MAT and LA teams. Thank you for their dedication and for the gifts they share with our children. Grant them patience, creativity, and the wisdom to see the unique potential in every student.

Strengthen them when they feel weary, and remind them of the lasting difference they are making.

Bless the parents and caregivers who support our children and young people. Release them from their fears and anxieties, and grant them the grace and patience needed to guide their children.

May our schools be places where love, joy, and peace flourish.

Help us to see your love in those around us and to make the most of every new opportunity.

 We ask all this in Your name,

Amen.

 

Are You a Newly Appointed Senior Leader? Do Book for the DBE’s Upcoming Induction Event

Wednesday 01 October 2025 – 16.00 to 17.00 – online via Teams – Live Event

For Newly appointed senior leaders in Coventry diocesan schools

Take part in this online event which will bring you up to date with the essential and distinctive elements of life in a Church of England school in Coventry Diocese. We will cover mission, vision and values, SIAMS, collective worship, requirements for RE and answer any of the questions you might have about preparing for success in your new role.

Book here

 

Other 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

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

 

Archbishops’ Young Leaders Award – Creating a Culture of Justice and Responsibility

If you’ve not run the Archbishops’ Young Leaders Award before, you can find out more through free online sessions this term.

The primary webinar includes all the new details about the KS2 Award and how it supports schools to create an active culture of justice and responsibility. For more information and to sign up click here.

Secondly, a heads up that later this month they will be sharing their Free Collective Worship Advent Resource, as part of the CofE campaign ‘The Joy of Christmas’. Watch this space!

 

Part Time ICON Schools Administrator Position at Coventry Cathedral

Coventry Cathedral Schools Tema is seeking a (part time term time only) dedicated and organised administrator to support the growth and engagement of the International Cross of Nails Schools (ICONS) Network. This is a fantatic opportunity to contribute to a global reconciliation initiative from the heart of Coventry. Closing date is 19 Sept. Find out more: https://www.coventrycathedral.org.uk/uploads/media/ICONS-Admin-Advert.pdf

 

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