Month: December 2025

Diocesan News

In last week’s Headlines Revd April Gold announced that she is to finish in her role as Diocesan Director of Education for the Diocese of Coventry in August 2026. You can read the Diocese of Coventry official press release here

 

‘Light Has Come’ – Reflective Journal for Headteachers

Jen Jenkins has created a Headteacher advent/Christmas reflective journal based on a playlist by the band Future of Forestry and invites you to spend some time listening to some beautiful Christmas songs, reflecting on the Nativity story and taking some well-deserved time out for yourself as we enter the festive season.

Find it on the DBE website under Headteacher Resources – access with the usual password.

 

Senior Leader ‘Salt and Light’ Retreat – 24-26 March 2026

How long is it since you took time away, to nourish your inner self?

 To reconnect with your purpose and emerge ready for the next phase of your leadership journey?

At Coventry DBE our mission is to inspire schools to demonstrate the love of Christ as they educate for life in all its fullness, and we are inviting you to participate in our “Salt and Light Retreat”. It’s a chance to reflect and rest, immersed in the majesty of nature, in the unique setting of a lighthouse on the Welsh coast.

A 48-hour retreat in an unplugged space, in an area of natural beauty on the Welsh coast, you can join with a small group of other leaders to be nourished and envisioned. Alongside 6-8 other leaders, you will be treated to wholesome, plentiful meals. There will be lightly facilitated sessions to help you flourish as a CofE school leader.

Whether you have a Christian faith, a different faith or none, you will be given opportunity to reflect and connect. Using some principles from coaching and culture-building programmes our facilitator will help you get the most out of this time; and, of course, if you fancy exploring the stunning coastline, taking a dip in the sea or gazing at the sea and stars they can show you the way.

Find out more and register here. Closing date 31 January.

 

The Latest Grove Education Booklet Available – Ed66

Treasuring the Earth: Inspiring Heads, Hearts and Hands in School Communities for People and Planet

 This latest in the Grove Education series, designed to be read in an hour, is written by Ryan Parker, the RE and Christian Ethos Adviser for the Diocese of St Albans.

Treasuring our planet is the fifth of the ‘Marks of Mission,’ yet concern for earth’s ecology is often forgotten, soft-pedalled

or even questioned altogether. This booklet helpfully explores what practical steps schools can take to help nurture

our children to care for and treasure the earth we tend to take for granted.

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

 

ISingPOP Classroom Worship – Spring Term

Heads and RE Leads have been sent the Guidance Notes for the first half term of iSingPOP’s Spring Classroom Worship, focusing on the themes of Change and Joy, Episodes for the second half of the term will be added by mid-January and will explore the theme of Easter. If you haven’t had it you can look on the DBE website under Collective Worship Resources and access with the usual password.

Don’t forget that if you would like some iSingPOP work in school, or for someone to work with your pupil worship team –  contact Emma at emma.kenyon@isingpop.com

 

New Live Training Dates for Difference for Primary Schools

Difference is a free suite of resources to help your school navigate an increasingly complex world, inspired by Jesus to embrace difference and champion a culture of hope and empathy

Find out more about Difference here.

Early 2026 live training opportunities are now live You can register for any of the following here:

Wednesday 7 January 2026: 10.00 -12.00

Tuesday 13 January 2026: 10.00-12.00

Monday, 16 February 2026: 15:30-17:30

Tuesday, 3 March 2026: 10.00-12.00

 

Wishing you hope, peace, joy and love this Christmas whatever you are doing from all in the DBE Team.

Next Headlines will be on 08 January 2026.

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Isaiah 9:6

School News

Revd April Gold visited Coventry Cathedral on Friday to give the opening prayer for the Diocesan of Coventry Multi Academy Trust Choir Concert, now in its second year. After weeks of rehearsals at their schools, over one hundred of our children performed in front of their teachers, friends and families to a packed Coventry Cathedral. Each school sang their own song, and then joined together for a beautiful and extremely powerful group performance.

Children at Dunchurch CofE Infants and Juniors attended an outdoor carol service led by the vicar to turn on the Christmas lights in the village on Sunday 30 November. The Infant School sang and performed away in a manger. The children at the Junior School acted out the nativity story.

 

ISingPOP in 2026 – FREE through the DBE Partnership – Do Contact Emma and Book for Your School

The Belonging Box –  Collective Worship Training

Have you recently done the Difference course with your school? During 2026 iSingPOP are piloting training for KS2 pupils using the Belonging Box, a resource to help pupils develop their spirituality and build on implementing those difference habits in school to create a community of belonging. Contact Emma to join in (details below)

Bespoke Main Event – an iSingPOP

Perhaps you’ve had an iSingPOP workshop but not yet had a main event? During 2026, there are 7 remaining slots for your school to have a bespoke iSingPOP Main event tailored to your school’s values and community. If you’re intereed at what this might look like, contact Emma (details below).

2026 Dates Currently Available:

• 18-20 May with Concert on the 21 May
• 01-03 June with Concert on the 04 June
• 29 June –01 July with Concert on 02 July
• 22-24 September with Concert on 25 September
• 05-07 October with Concert on 08 October
• 19-21 October with Concert on 22 October
• 09-11 November with Concert on 12 November

Joy Seekers Workshop Days

A whole school workshop day about mental health and wellbeing. 2 songs, a prayer activity, bible teaching and ending with a whole school celebration assembly.

2026 Dates Avaiable:

25 February / 23 March /06 July / 29 September/ 01 October

04 November / 18 November /25 November

These events are all free as part of the DBE/iSingPOP partnership.

For further information about how any of these events might look for your school, or to book, contact Emma at emma.kenyon@isingpop.com

 

 

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

 

An Advent Message from Revd April Gold

Dear Friends,

It was wonderful to see so many of you at the Headteacher’s and Parish Partners’ conference in November. I found Diane Osagie’s keynote truly inspiring, and it sounds like many of you did too. I love it when a speaker sparks real reflection, especially because it lands differently for each of us. If her words stirred something in you and you’d like to talk it through, please do get in touch — Georgina and I would be delighted to explore ideas with you.

I can hardly believe we’re already in December. The next few weeks will no doubt be full of preparations in school, excited children and young people counting down the days, and staff wondering how everything will get done. I hope you find moments to share in the joy and wonder of the season, especially through the eyes of those who can only remember ten Christmases or fewer!

For some, though, this time of year can be difficult. Whether you’re entering the festivities with excitement or with heaviness, please know you are in my thoughts and prayers. If you’d like company, a listening ear, or someone to share in your school activities, I’m here.

In the Church, Advent is a season of waiting and expectation. This year I find myself thinking again about Mary — a young woman whose life is transformed in an instant when Gabriel says:

‘Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favour with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants for ever; his kingdom will never end.’ Luke 1:30-33.

Her calm acceptance and trust in God in the face of such profound change is something I hope to learn as I continue through life.

Bishop Sophie has spent the last few months visiting deaneries and schools across the Diocese. During Advent she’s inviting us all to be especially watchful and to listen for what God may be saying about the year ahead. You may find the “Watching and Waiting” prayer resources helpful in Collective Worship or reflection times. I know she would love to hear what children, young people, and staff in our schools feel God is saying to them.

I hope you find time for rest and reflection over Christmas and the New Year, and I look forward to seeing you all in January.

Many Blessings,

April

 

School News

Bishop Sophie was visiting Rugby Deanery this week. Revd April Gold joined her at Harris CofE Aacdemy where the Bishop met with Roberta Harrison the Headteacher, Michael Cowland MAT CEO and were hosted around the school by the Head and Deputy Boys and Girls and other members of the student leadership team including the worship lead and Christion Union lead. Jacqueline Ladds, Diocesan Secretary was also in attendance and Revd James Sampson-Forster, Assistant Curate at St Andrews Church Rugby and a Foundation Governor.

 

SIAMS News

Congratulations to staff and governors at Mappleborough Green CofE Primary who had their SIAMS inspection last month. 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.

 

ISingPOP – What’s on Offer for Schools Now and in 2026 – Free through the DBE Partnership

The Belonging Box –  Collective Worship Training

Have you recently done the Difference course with your school? During 2026 iSingPOP are piloting training for KS2 pupils using the Belonging Box, a resource to help pupils develop their spirituality and build on implementing those difference habits in school to create a community of belonging. Contact Emma to join in (details below)

Bespoke Main Event – an iSingPOP Main event with a Twist!

 Perhaps you’ve had an iSingPOP workshop but not yet had a main event? During 2026, there are 7 remaining slots for your school to have a bespoke iSingPOP Main event tailored to your school’s values and community. If you’re intereed at what this might look like, contact Emma (details below).

2026 Dates Currently Available:

• 18-20 May with Concert on the 21 May
• 01-03 June with Concert on the 04 June
• 29 June –01 July with Concert on 02 July
• 22-24 September with Concert on 25 September
• 05-07 October with Concert on 08 October
• 19-21 October with Concert on 22 October
• 09-11 November with Concert on 12 November

Joy Seekers Workshop Days

 A whole school workshop day about mental health and wellbeing. 2 songs, a prayer activity, bible teaching and ending with a whole school celebration assembly.

2026 Dates Avaiable:

25 February / 23 March /06 July / 29 September/ 01 October

04 November / 18 November /25 November

These events are all free as part of the DBE/iSingPOP partnership.

For further information about how any of these events might look for your school, or to book, contact Emma at emma.kenyon@isingpop.com

 

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