School News
Harris CofE Academy has banned mobile phones to change school life for the better.
ITV News spent two days at the school at the beginning of the year to find out how transformative the ban has been.
At 08.50am everyday students must lock their phones away in lockable pouches and the phones must remain locked away until the end of the school day. Random checks using a metal detector are carried out throughout the day to ensure the phones remain locked away. Assistant Head, John Naylor, says that the ban has had a “huge impact” and “allowed students to get their childhoods back.”
The students themselves agree. One student said, “Everyone’s got a big attachment to their phone, so no one really wanted to get rid of it. But overall, no one’s complaining now it’s settled down, and everyone’s starting to really enjoy the phone ban, because it increases everyone’s social interactions.”
The students themselves agree. One student said, “Everyone’s got a big attachment to their phone, so no one really wanted to get rid of it. But overall, no one’s complaining now it’s settled down, and everyone’s starting to really enjoy the phone ban, because it increases everyone’s social interactions.”
Since the ban, the lunch hall is filled with the sound of laughter and talking, with students playing board games or doing crafts together. It has also led to a dramatic decline in the number of phone and social media-related incidents needing intervention from staff, and student behaviour has overall improved.
Getting Ready for SIAMS
Weds 29 April – 09:30 – 11:30
- In person at a venue near Warwick
- For all leaders involved with SIAMS and Christian Distinctiveness
- A recorded version of this training will also be available.
This training will be particularly helpful for those schools who are expecting a visit from SIAMS in the next 2 years. It will be led by Keith Farquhar, Church Schools Distinctiveness Advisor for Birmingham Diocese and will explore the key inspection questions as well as the latest updates from the annual report. Keith will focus on key preparation such as what your website should contain and creating an effective SIAMS SEF.
This training replaces the previously advertised sessions that were scheduled for March. Book here.
New RE Resources from the National Society – Christianity as a Global World Faith
- Weds 20 May – 09:30 – 12:00
- In person event at a venue near Wawick
- For primary and secondary RE Leads
- Resources are free once the training is complete
This National Society resource aims to work together with Understanding Christianity to challenge the Eurocentric vision of Christianity and celebrate the infinite translatability we can find in the diversity that exists within the Christian Faith. Through this session you will be able to access both the excellent training programme for schools as well as all the resources. It will be led by Keith Farquhar, Church Schools Distinctiveness Advisor for Birmingham Diocese.
The training will allow opportunities to understand the significance of providing a diverse approach to Christianity in your school. This will be explored in a bespoke training package that can then be used to train your teachers. Keith will look at how this might fit within your current curriculum that meets the expectations of SIAMS and the new Statement of Entitlement. There will be time to go through the resources to consider an action plan for your school.
Find out more from the NSE here. Book your place here.
For the full Headlines newsletter contact joanne.evans@coventrydbe.org
On 11 February All Saints CofE Primary, Coventry held a Spirituality Day based on the theme of Love. Creative and reflective activities were organised both in school and at the church, with older children being tasked with supporting younger children through the activities. The day culminated with a whole school collective worship in church led by Revd Pam Howell to reflect on God’s love. The school reported that “it was a special day for our whole school community.”
MAT Members, CEOs, Chairs and DBE Board Members met on Tuesday at Ashorne Hill Conference Centre for a day focussed on collaboration and vision. Bishop Sophie led the morning and started the day with a communion service where she preached passionately in honour of Holocaust Memorial Day. She spoke about her current work in developing the vision for the diocese, her visits to schools and MAT visions. In addition, she interviewed April Gold, asking questions about DBE vision and strategy. The afternoon was spent hearing a short summary from each CEO about their MAT and its work, followed by discussions about collaborative working and how this might meet some of the challenges across the education sector. The day was hugely positive and attendees were keen to pursue further collegiate conversations after the government white paper is issued.
Prior to the dinner, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson spoke warmly about the Church of England’s long‑standing contribution to national education, praising the commitment, community role and leadership of its schools and trusts. She highlighted the strength of the partnership between Church and state, recognising the impact of Church of England schools in serving more than a million children and acting as “calm and hopeful anchors” within their communities. 
Just a reminder that the DBE have three collections of books that you can borrow for your school. They accompany the 
