Author: Joanne Evans

Revd Kate Massey Installation

Staff and pupils from St Paul’s CofE Primary, Nuneaton were at Coventry Cathedral on Sunday to take part in the Installation of Revd Kate Massey in her new role as Canon for Arts and Reconciliation. The pupils led prayers during the service.

Revd Kate has been a familiar face around the school and an integral part in growing the close link with the parish church. She will be greatly missed by staff and pupils alike.

 

Request for Senior Leaders from Jen Jenkins

Jen is looking to speak with senior leaders who have been purposefully cultivating an aspect of prayer in their school life. This might be one of the following:

• A dedicated prayer space(s) in school (indoors or outdoors)
• Use of prayer resources in school
• Work on prayer in partnership with the local church e.g. prayer stations in the church for pupils to visit
• Development of prayer(s) linked to the school’s Christian vision
• Use of prayer in the school day
• The role of prayer in your spirituality model

Please email Jen (mailto:jennifer.jenkins@coventrydbe.org) to either share your work or arrange a short Teams meeting to chat about it. The purpose of this is to celebrate your work on prayer, collate a repository of ideas and resources on prayer and continue to offer CPD and resources that will support this aspect of Christian distinctiveness.

 

RE Leads Celebration Event

RE Leads gathered at Red Hill Christian Centre yesterday to celebrate the end of one year of implementing the New RE Agreed Syllabus. They gave their thoughts at creative reflection stations, shared books and good practice and then enjoyed a cream tea together.

Thank you to all the teachers and leaders who have worked hard, and continue to refine the RE curriculum in their schools to help their pupils flourish. We are seeing such great evidence that the worldviews approach is transforming engagement and improving teaching and learning for both pupils and staff.

 

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

 

 

Installation of Bishop Sophie Jelley

The Right Reverend Sophie Jelley, the tenth Bishop of Coventry, was welcomed by three young people from schools in the diocese as her installation service began and hundreds of people from Coventry and Warwickshire gathered in Coventry Cathedral on Saturday.

Bishop Sophie stood at the entrance to the cathedral whilst two young people, one from Barrs Hill School and another from Bluecoat CofE School asked her who she was and why she has come. She answered “I am Sophie, a servant of Christ, called to be a bishop in the Church of God. I come in faith and obedience, to share in the life of this diocese and to walk with the people of God in this place.”

The cathedral bells rang and a choir of children from local schools sang as dignitaries including MPs, council and business leaders assembled for the service. The schools were All Saint’s CofE Primary, Clifford Bridge Academy

Frederick Bird Academy, Hearsall Community Academy, Walsgrave CofE Academy, Whittle Academy, St John’s CE Academy and St Laurence’s CE Primary.

During the service, Bishop Jelley took oaths of allegiance and obedience before receiving the Diocesan Crozier – a curved staff – from the High Altar where it was placed by her predecessor when he left in 2023.

She gave her inaugural sermon before enjoying a performance of Sing, written by Gary Barlow and Andrew Lloyd Webber, from the combined schools choir. A big thank you  to Rob Darling Deputy CEO from Inspire Education Trust for organising that.

The bishop was then presented with symbolic gifts representative of the diocese’s heritage, including a jar of honey from a local farmer and a goose quill from Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.

Bishop Jelley, who is married and has three grown-up children, said on her appointment she looked forward to sharing “the story of God’s love with the people of Coventry and Warwickshire”.

 

School News

Congratulations to staff and governors at Wootton Wawen CofE Primary 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.

 

Two Primary Schools Needed to Pilot ‘Difference for Primary Schools’ in our Diocese

The Church of England Education Office are developing ‘Difference for Primary Schools’ – a free multi-session resource that will equip pupils with the formational habits to cross divides, navigate disagreement, pursue justice, and encounter others well. It is already successfully embedded in church youth groups and secondary schools.

 

It will be launched in our Diocese at the Headteachers’ and Parish Partners Conference in November and the DBE is keen to hear from primaries that would be interested in being early-adopters. This would involve undertaking some training and piloting it in your school. A fantastic project for one of your middle leaders?

Find out more about Difference here. If your school would be interested in this contact joanne.evans@coventrydbe.org

 

Do You Have Teachers Who Will Be New to Leading RE in September?

Wednesday 09 July – 16.00-17.00

live session on Zoom (and also recorded)

This session is for anyone who is taking on the leadership of RE from September 2025. Jen Jenkins will give you all the important information regarding the new syllabus, RE for SIAMS, where to find resources and what support is available. Book to attend live or receive the recording here.

 

Chaplain Vacancy – Please Share

The Diocese of Coventry Multi Academy Trust is looking to appoint an inspirational and highly effective part-time Chaplain who is committed to supporting Harris CofE Academy in Rugby to develop the distinctive Christian character of the school community as they pursue educational excellence.

 Find out more here or please contact Valerie Moody, Premises & Operations Manager, directly on recruitment@harris.covmat.org for an informal discussion about the post.

Please note the closing date for applications is midnight, 22 June 2025.

 

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

 

Service of Welcome and Installation of Bishop Sophie Jelley

Just a reminder that Headteachers are invited to attend Bishop Sophie’s Service of Welcome and Installation which will take place this Saturday 7 June at 2pm. You should have received an invitation by email this week from The Reverend Canon Nitano Muller, Canon for Worship and Welcome at Coventry Cathedral.

 

Looking at Spiritual Development in Your School?

Jen Jenkins has recorded CPD ‘Spirituality Shorts’. These six one-hour recorded sessions will support you as you consider a model for spirituality that works well for your school and connects cohesively with your vision. The sessions are:

1. Introduction – the expectations around spirituality in the SIAMS Framework, spirituality models available and how to tie these to the wording of your vision
2. Self – what Christian theology has to say about the relationship with ‘self’ and how you can nurture this relationship during the ows and wows of life
3. Others – what Christian theology has to say about the relationship with ‘others’ and how you can nurture this relationship during the ows and wows of life
4. Nature/the World – what Christian theology has to say about the relationship with ‘nature and the world’ and how you can nurture this relationship during the ows and wows of life
5. God/beyond – what Christian theology has to say about the relationship with ‘God or something beyond the individual’ and how you can nurture this relationship during the ows and wows of life
6. Going Deeper- what next? – Bringing spirituality into collective worship, into the curriculum and into other aspects of Church school life

Find them on the DBE website with the usual passcode.

 

This Term’s DBE Pupil Voice Question…

A big thank you to those schools and pupils who have already contributed to the DBE’s Pupil Voice question this term. 😊

If you would like to take part, it’s very easy! We are using the ‘Smart Schools Council’ programme to email this question for your pupils to answer:

 “What does it feel like to pray?”

• This is designed to be led by pupils and there is no additional work for the teacher, or software to download.
• This could be done with the worship council, school council, a lunchtime/after school club or a whole class. (Suggest year 5/6/7).
• The session includes a 3 min video clip, and discussion can be as long or as short as you like (so around 10-20 mins).
• There is a stimulus (video), discussion time and a multiple choice vote. There is an another slide for your notetaker to make additional comments – please do get the children to do this if there is time!

Thanks and do let us know what you think! We’ll feed back on the results in due course.

 

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

 

Service of Welcome and Installation of Bishop Sophie Jelley

Just a reminder that Headteachers are invited to attend Bishop Sophie’s Service of Welcome and Installation which will take place at Coventry Cathedral on Saturday 7 June at 2pm.

 

Flourishing for All: Anti-Bullying Guidance – Update

The National Society’s Curriculum and Inclusion team have published Part C to add to the existing Anti-bullying Guidance for CofE schools document.

This addition has focused on how schools can be both proactive and reactive towards race-based bullying. The guidance provides a theological, legal and social basis for work towards building cultures that celebrate rather than erase difference.

 

A Richer Encounter with Parables of Jesus – RE Subject Knowledge CPD – Coming up after Half Term

Two sessions- Tues 10 June and Weds 25 June – 16.00-17.00

Live and Recorded. (Community Schools can attend at a cost of £30 and will also receive the recordings).

Session 1 – 10 June

In this CPD session Jen Jenkins will share some helpful teacher subject knowledge around the parables of Jesus that are included in the new Coventry and Warwickshire RE Agreed Syllabus. This will support teachers in understanding the historical-social context of the parables, as well as some important points regarding theology and hermeneutics for anybody teaching these as part of their RE lessons

Session 2 – 25 June

Too often when exploring the parables, primary pupils are directed to a single, incontestable ‘correct’ meaning. In this session Dr Ryan Parker will share principles and an exemplification of a richer, more scholarly approach to teaching the parables which helped students grapple with diverse interpretations of a parable and consider why different people, including themselves, interpret these texts in different ways. This session will give time to consider how we might use these principles to inform high-quality engagement with sacred texts in primary RE.

Ryan Parker is a Diocesan RE adviser, following a number of years in primary and middle school settings. He recently completed a PhD at the University of Birmingham, focussing on knowledge-rich textual enquiry in primary RE. He also hosts the ‘Flourishing Together’ podcast series which has a focus on high-quality RE.

Book here to attend live or just receive the recordings (or both).

 

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

 

Next Week’s Headteacher Termly Briefing – Book Now to Attend or Receive the Recording  

Thursday 22 May – 14.00-15.30 on Zoom

Agenda

• Opening Reflection and DBE Update – Revd April Gold
• Beacon School Support – Simon Currigan, Founder
• Update from the Deputy Diocesan Director of Education – Georgina Newton
• Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL) at St Paul’s CofE Primary, Nuneaton – Lindsay Eardley Headteacher
• Spotlight slot for top tips and best practice – Beacon 2 project – Lindsey Oscroft and Kim Ballard, Fosse MAT
• Closing Comments and Prayer

Book here.

 

CEO Recruitment News from Fosse MAT

Fosse MAT are delighted to announce the appointment of David Briggs as Chief Executive Officer of Fosse Multi-Academy Trust. David will take over from Lindsey Oscroft in September following her retirement. David is currently the Director of Primary Education at the Discovery Schools Trust in Leicestershire and has held previous roles as Headteacher at Clifton upon Dunsmore Church of England Primary School in our Diocese and Executive Headteacher at Kibworth Church of England Primary School.

 

‘God and the Big Bang’ for your Year 5/6 Pupils – Coventry Cathedral Tues 08 July

Watch the 2 min video promo here.

To find out more about the work of God and the Big Bang go to their website here: https://gatbb.co.uk/

To book places email: contact@gatbb.co.uk

 

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

 

This Term’s DBE Pupil Voice Question…

If you want to take part, we are using the ‘Smart Schools Council’ programme to email this question for your pupils to answer:
“What does it feel like to pray?”

Forward the class meeting link to the lead teacher and follow the prompts!

 

Still Have Questions About the New Agreed RE Syllabus? Pre-Recorded RE CPD Available

Do look out for the RE CPD sessions on the DBE website resources page. Accessible with the usual password. You’ll find the slides, recording and associated resources.

 

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

School News

In the last week of term before Easter, St Gabriel’s CofE Academy in Rugby had a 3 day bespoke main event hosted by Emma Kenyon from iSingPop. Emma worked with the Head, RE lead, Clergy and Foundation Governors to produce an Easter themed event which focussed on the school’s Christian Vision, “Communicating love, inspiring our community to flourish”.

Teaching sessions with the Year 3 and 4 Classes delivered the Easter story infused with the values of Love, Community and Flourishing. Sessions were supported by the local clergy and foundation governors. The local parish provided prayer stations focussed on the 3 values within the school vision and all children in the school had the opportunity to spend some time in the week reflecting and interacting with the prayer stations. The photos here show the completed boards. On the Thursday and Friday evening Years 3 and 4 performed for parents and carers, singing, dancing and re-telling the story of Easter.

If you would like to have a bespoke event tailored to your values and vision please get in touch with Emma Kenyon to discuss.

SIAMS News

Congratulations to staff and governors in the following schools on their recent SIAMS inspections. They were all found to be living up to their foundation as Church schools, enabling pupils and adults to flourish.

Alveston CofE Primary
Southam St James CofE Academy
Tysoe CofE Primary

Upcoming CPD This Term…

RE Clinic – live event 06 May 16.30-17.30 on Zoom
These half-termly sessions facilitated by Jen Jenkins are not recorded purposely to allow RE teachers to freely ask questions or raise any particular challenges in the implementation or teaching of the New RE Agreed Syllabus. No need to stay for the whole hour if you wish to just ‘drop in’ to ask a question.

Headteacher Termly Briefing – live and recorded event
22 May – 14.00-15.30 on Zoom

SIAMS Termly Update – Live and recorded session – 04 June 16.30pm to 17.30
These termly sessions, lead by Jen Jenkins, are intended to support those schools who are due for inspection in the next two years.

RE Leads Celebration Event Weds 18 June – Venue near Stratford upon Avon – 14.00-16.00
Come for tea and cake and join in sharing good practice at the end of a year of Implementing the New Agreed Syllabus.

A Richer Encounter with Parables of Jesus – RE Subject Knowledge
Live and Recorded – 10 June and 25 June – 16.00-17.00
In these CPD sessions Jen Jenkins will joined by Dr Ryan Parker to share some helpful teacher subject knowledge and practical application around the parables of Jesus that are included in the new Coventry and Warwickshire RE Agreed Syllabus.

See Professional Development Page to book

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

Easter Message from Revd April Gold, Diocesan Director of Education Dear friends, I hope this finds you well and enjoying the longer days of Eastertide. I’m sure it’s been a busy time with Easter services, activities, and excited children and staff looking forward to a well-deserved break. In our weekly huddle, the DBE team reflected on 1 Thessalonians 5:12-18, which I believe encapsulates our shared vision as Christian communities in today’s world: This week, I had the chance to sing the “World Changers” song with the children of St Gabriel’s CofE Academy as part of their iSingPOP Easter project. It reminded me that changing the world starts with helping our young people think beyond themselves and work together for the common good. As I visit schools and read SIAMS and OFSTED reports, I’m inspired by the passion of our school communities to both help children succeed academically and prepare them to be part of a generation of World Changers. I’ve been re-reading Stephen Covey’s ‘The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People’ to remind me of his concept of the circle of concern. Covey encourages us to focus on what we can control, and let go of what we can’t. Before you head off for Easter, consider making a list of your worries and sorting them into “circles” of control and influence. Trust that what’s outside your circle will be inside another’s leaving them in God’s hands through prayer. Leave your list of what you can do to equip the next generation for their future roles in the world at school knowing that it will be there neatly curated when you have recharged. I wish you a joyful and restful Easter, with many prayers and blessings, April.   Message to the Diocese from Bishop Sophie  Read it on the Diocesan website here.   iSingPOP – Summer Term Classroom Worship The iSingPOP summer term classroom worship episodes were emailed to Heads and RE leads yesterday. Do let us know if you need it again.   Recently Recorded CPD Now Available on the DBE Website Introductition to SIAMS part 1 and 2 Spirituality Short Part 4 – Nature and the World Spirituality Short Part 5 – God and Beyond Find them on resources page of the DBE website and accessible with the usual password. Your governors should also have received information about eight short (10 mins) CPD recordings they can access called ‘Governor Bites’. They are: Understanding the Theology of Your School’s Christian Vision Monitoring & Evaluating – the ‘so what’ Monitoring & Evaluating Impact of Collective Worship Monitoring & Evaluating Impact of RE Vision Driven Governor Minutes Six Core Theological Concepts Writing the School Christian Vision Spirituality They can be found on the resources section of DBE website under governance.   Message from Jen Jenkins… We are saddened to share the passing of Dawn Cox. Dawn was a shining light in the RE world and will be very much missed by all who champion the subject, as well as count her as a friend and beloved colleague. Dawn’s work is peppered through the local RE syllabus, most noticeably in her DIALOG model for looking at sacred texts and her use of the magnifying glass when exploring personal worldviews. We are grateful for her generosity of spirit in sharing her RE resources with us. Thoughts and prayers are with Dawn’s partner Roy and her whole family at this sad time. Read a further memorial to Dawn on the Culham St Gabrilel’s website here     For the full Headlines newsleter contact joanne.evans@coventrydbe.org

School News

Laura Newell, Headteacher at St Nicholas CofE Primary, Alcester writes:

“We are absolutely thrilled to announce that our school has been awarded the Platinum OPAL Award for outstanding play opportunities! Putting us in the top 2% of the country!

This incredible achievement is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and passion of our staff, children and wider school community. Through teamwork and commitment, we have transformed playtimes, ensuring our children enjoy high-quality, inclusive, and imaginative play every day.”

 

Spring Term Pupil Voice – What Pupils Told Us…

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

 The Bible says Jesus came to give us ‘life in all its fullness’ – what does ‘living your best life’ mean to you?

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

1. Being rich and famous – 0 votes
2. Health and happiness – 3 votes
3. Having nice family, friends and pets – 5 votes
4. Having God in your life – 9 votes – the winning vote
5. Being happy with who you are – 5 votes

Additional longer answers from pupil groups were:

 

For RE Leads…

A Good News Story for RE and the New Syllabus!

Jen Jenkins writes, “I love this email I received from an RE lead in one of our schools on Monday. There was a child in Year 6 that was poorly and was sent home just before lunch (something unheard of at this time of year – as I’m sure you know!) just after lunch his teacher was surprised to see that he had insisted that he return to school after having some calpol because he ‘couldn’t miss RE’ that afternoon!”

 Response to the Curriculum and Assessment Review Interim Report on RE

Jen Jenkins has written a reflective response to the Curriculum and Assessment Review Interim Report in terms of Religious Education and the very recent implementation of the new Religion and Worldviews syllabus.

Mapping Disciplinary Knowledge and Skills in your RE Curriculum

You may have noticed Jen mentioned a new set of resources to help you in mapping disciplinary knowledge and skills as pupils develop these throughout the syllabus. The resources are designed to help you with assessment. There is an overview plus the mapping document, as well as a template for creating unit overviews for units in your RE curriculum (plus an example). We hope you find these helpful.

You can find both of these items on the resources section of the DBE website under ‘New Agreed Syllabus – CofE School Specific’ with the usual password

 

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