Category: Uncategorized

News from the Church of England

 

Resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury

The Church of England have published this press release to announce the resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby. If you wish to have a wider discussion about this, or have any issues that are coming up for you in school, please talk to your parish vicar or contact Revd April Gold.

‘Love Matters’: New Resources Developed for Schools and Church Youth Groups

The Archbishops’ Commission on Families and Households has developed new resources for use locally in schools and church youth groups to help them explore the key ‘Love Matters’ messages, and to learn about loving relationships. The resources, one for primary-aged children and the other for secondary-aged young people have been developed by and produced with pupils from King’s Group Academies schools in Gosport and Fareham.

Flourishing Together Report

The National Society for Education (Church of England) has partnered with the Catholic Education Service (CES), and Confederation of School Trusts (CST) to launch the Flourishing Together report, a long-term vision aimed at transforming the educational landscape of England. The initiative, founded on partnership, calls on leaders and educators to reimagine schools as places where every child and adult can truly flourish.

Rooted in the concept of “flourishing,” the report outlines ten transformative shifts essential for creating an inclusive, equitable, and collaborative education system. This vision is not confined to faith-based schools; it is designed as a universal approach that invites the entire sector to build a system grounded in respect, mutuality, and shared responsibility.

 

Upcoming CPD…

Global Christianity within ‘Understanding Christianity’ – New Materials

20 November 2024 – 16.00-17.30

Explore new materials on Global Christianity which have been launched by the National CofE to use to enhance ‘Understanding Christianity’ in your RE.

click here to book the online session or receive the recording.

 

Half-Termly RE Clinic – Support for Delivering the New Agreed Syllabus

25 November 2024 – 16.30-17.30

This syllabus marks a significant shift in the way in which RE is taught and these half-termly RE Clinics, facilitated by Jen Jenkins, will allow RE teachers to get to grips with any challenges or questions in implementing this new approach in order to maintain high standards of provision. Delegates attending are invited to bring their own questions around areas of challenge or that need clarification for discussion with Jen.

click here to book the online session

 

Theology RE Subject Knowledge session – Noah and the Flood

26 November 2024 – 16.00-17.30

This session will support teachers with their subject knowledge around the biblical story of Noah and the Flood. This story features in the new RE syllabus in several units and Jen will attempt to unpack some of the theology around it and shares ways you might approach it with different aged pupils.

click here to book the online session or to receive the recording

 

Theology RE Subject Knowledge session – The Trinity

10 December 2024 – 16.00-17.30

This session will support teachers with their subject knowledge around The Trinity. This will help with implementing the new RE syllabus and will explore some ways to share this with pupils.

Click here to book the online session or to receive the recording.

 

The DBE is Looking for Volunteers – Please Do Pass on to Anyone You Think Might be a Suitable Candidate in Your Communities

Do you know of anyone looking to volunteer within the education sector?  We are looking for people to fill the following roles:

1. Academy Trust Members
2. Academy Trust Directors
3. Foundation Governors (maintained schools)
4. Foundation Governors (local academy governance)
5. DBE Board Members
6. School Admission Appeal Panellists

For more information for roles 1 to 5 click here and for 6 click here.

If you are interested in becoming a DBE Board Member there is a 2-week period for applications – 04 to 19 November.  The information for applying is linked here.

 

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

 

School News

 

SIAMS

Congratulations to St Paul’s CofE Primary, Leamington Spa who had their SIAMS inspection last month. The school was found to be living up to its foundation as a Church school enabling pupils and adults to flourish. Well done to all the staff and governors. Read the report here.

 

Diocesan News – New Bishop of Coventry Announced

Downing Street announced on Monday that the new Bishop of Coventry will be the Rt Revd Sophie Jelley, after her nomination was approved by the King. Bishop Sophie will begin her new role in Spring 2025 following an installation service at Coventry Cathedral.

Bishop Sophie has recorded a special 1-min video message for Headteachers which you can watch here.

 Blue Coat CofE School, Coventry was chosen to the be venue of the announcement and there was a special year 11 collective worship with lots of invited special guests, including Revd April Gold.

For more information about the appointment see the Coventry Diocesan website.

 

The DBE is Looking for Volunteers – Please Do Pass on to Anyone You Think Might be a Suitable Candidate in Your Communities

Do you know of anyone looking to volunteer within the education sector?  We are looking for people to fill the following roles:

1. Academy Trust Members
2. Academy Trust Directors
3. Foundation Governors (maintained schools)
4. Foundation Governors (local academy governance)
5. DBE Board Members
6. School Admission Appeal Panellists

For more information for roles 1 to 5 click here and for 6 click here.

If you are interested in becoming a DBE Board Member there is a 2-week period for applications – 04 to 19 November.  The information for applying is linked here.

 

DfE Call for Evidence for The Curriculum and Assessment Review

The Department for Education (DfE) has opened its call for evidence regarding potential improvements to the curriculum and assessment system.

The call for evidence invites stakeholders to submit proposals on improving the curriculum and assessment system. The gathered material will be used in aiding the panel in making its first recommendations next year. The call for evidence closes at 11.59pm on the 22nd of November 2024. Click here to find out more.

The DfE would like to hear from a wide range of people including:

• students, pupils and learners
• parents and carers
• teachers, tutors and lecturers
• headteachers and senior leaders
• the wider school, college or university workforce
• researchers, academics and education experts
• employers
• local authority officers
• anyone with an interest in the curriculum

The DfE is also holding a series of national roadshow events across each region in England. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear directly from the chair of the Review, Professor Becky Francis CBE, as well as other panel members. To take part click here.

 

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

 

School News

Blue Coat Commemoration of the Founders and Benefactors Service

Lou Peet, the Chaplain at Blue Coat CofE School, Coventry writes:

“Every year, year 7 students from Blue Coat CofE School attend a special service at their founding church Holy Trinity. On Thursday 17^th students attended once more to hear about the foundations of the school, its rich history of caring for children in Coventry, and even saw what the original uniform looked like! They were invited to participate in organ-led congregational hymns, songs by the junior, gospel and post-16 choirs, prayer and reflection, commemoration liturgy and a talk from Chaplain. Many thanks to Holy Trinity, Coventry for their ongoing love and support.”

 

Global Neighbours Gold Award – Congraulations

Congraulations to All Saints’ CofE Junior School in Warwick who have achieved the Gold Award status in Christian Aid’s Global Neighbours scheme, in recognition of its initiatives to encourage children to think of others throughout the world. They are only the fifth school in the country to achieve the Gold award!

Sandra Sutherland, Headteacher, said: “We are thrilled to be recognised for the work we have done as a whole school community to raise awareness of the extreme inequalities across our globe and perhaps more importantly, the steps we can take to address these. The children gain an understanding of injustice in our world through regular learning about global issues, including the Global Development Goals.  Pupils have been learning about examples of people who faced adversity and overcame this to be courageous advocates for change. These stories have challenged the whole school community to think about how each of us can make a difference in our local community and globally.

Our world is increasingly connected and our hope is for our children to grow as responsible global citizens who care about issues such as the environment and access to healthcare. The children have especially enjoyed the ongoing link we have with a school in Sierra Leone which informs our curriculum, assemblies and ongoing campaign work.”

 

Prayer Space Event at Dunnington

There was a very exciting prayer space event for Dunnington CofE Primary School last month, led by Sarah Folkes (St Matthew’s Church Family Link Worker) and Louise Mellows (congregation member and chair of the school’s PTA group). The purpose of the event was to:

– embed the whole school Christian vision

– reinforce the school values with pupils and their families

– encourage prayer in a range of interactive ways.

In an act of togetherness, Dunnington Baptist Church kindly allowed the use of their hall and facilities for the event. Each year group walked to the hall to visit the six prayer stations, which were all personalised to the school’s vision and values and linked to the natural world. Pupils were invited to join in thinking about what questions they’d ask God, how to encourage one another, who they are thankful for, forgiveness and actions to help the environment. Prayer was invitational, with each station being supported by volunteers from St Matthew’s congregation. A great example of power in community and growing faith!

 

SIAMS

Congratulations to St Laurence’s CofE Primary who had their inspection last month. The school was found to be living up to its foundation as a Church school enabling pupils and adults to flourish. Well done to all the staff and governors. Read the report here.

 

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

 

 

 

School News

Revd April Gold joined the children and families of Wilmcote CofE Primary School at the beginning of October to lead their first Harvest Festival Service since joining the Stour Federation Multi Academy Trust. The service took place in the beautiful and historic St Andrews Church. The children all did a wonderful job reading, reciting and even singing their own song written about Autumn. The whole school community came together to donate produce which was forwarded to Stratford Food Bank to help local families, embracing the school’s core values of Friendship and Kindness.

Year 6 were learning about Eco Churches in RE this week at St John’s CofE Academy. They wrote letters to persuade churches to work towards Eco status and designed their own eco-friendly churches as inspiration.

Year 13 PSHE students at Blue Coat CofE School took part in the Great Big Live assembly this morning as part of their celebration of Black History Month. Students had the opportunity to hear from a range of speakers focusing on racial justice and equality.

 

SIAMS

Congratulations to Ryton on Dunsmore Provost Williams CofE Primary who was inspected at the beginning at the term. The school was found to be living up to its foundation as a Church school enabling pupils and adults to flourish. Well done to all the staff and governors in those schools. Read the report here

 

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

 

School News

April Gold and Joanne Evans visited Burton Green CofE Primary Academy last Friday to join the 150 year anniversary celebrations with pupils and staff, old and new. The event also saw the official opening of new classrooms followed by an afternoon tea with a display of school records going back to 1874 when the school opened.

(If you have a significant school anniversary coming up you can order a certificate from the Church of England signed by the Archbishop of Canterbury to commemorate the occasion. See more information here.)

Congratulations to All Saints CofE Junior Warwick who have achieved Gold level in the Christian Aid Global Neighbours Award.

A huge ‘congratulations’ then to Peneli Grier at The Ferncumbe CofE Primary School who has won a Primary Science Teacher Award from the Primary ScienceTeaching Trust. The organisation gives awards for ‘innovative practice and exceptional dedication to primary science teaching’.

 

Governors’ Celebration Event

Church School governors gathered on Tuesday evening at Wellesbourne Church where their work was celebrated by a service lead by Bishop Ruth. They then had a hot meal and shared good news stories of amazing work and partnerships within our diocesan schools. Despite the dark, wet, windy evening they heard so much about the spirit and hope living within their respective communities that it truly was a joy-filled celebration.

 

The DBE is Looking for New Board Members

In advance of a new triennieum, Diocesan Synod is looking to appoint four or five members to the Diocesan Board of Education to serve a three-year term from 1 January 2025. More information about the role is here or talk to Revd April Gold. A nomination form can be found here.

Please do pass on this information to any colleagues you think might have an interest in this volunteer role.

 

New RE Resources on the DBE Website

Jen Jenkins has provided some additional resources for implementing the New Agreed Syllabus.

• Advent/Christmas-themed RE resource which shows how to approach it with a religion and worldviews approach.
• SACRE Suggested Visits and Visitors

You can find them in the resources section of the DBE website under ‘New Agreed Syllabus – CofE School Specific’ using the password that has already been issued to you.

 

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

 

School News

Emma from iSingPOP visted Alveston CofE Primary last week with new iSingPOP songs. Their concert was yesterday and the children were fantastic! Headteacher Anne Clewley reported on the school newsletter that “Listening to our children sing this week in the iSingPop rehearsals has been a shining example of awe and wonder. Honing their beautiful voices and performances has lifted all our spirits.”

 

New CPD Session Added – RE: Theology RE Subject Knowledge session on Noah and the Flood

Led by Jen Jenkins, this session will support teachers with their subject knowledge around the biblical story of Noah and the Flood. This story features in the new RE syllabus in several units and Jen will attempt to unpack some of the theology around it and shares ways you might approach it with different aged pupils.

Please do advertise this to your associaties and consortia as this is open to all schools in Coventry and Warwickshire for a nominal fee of £20.

The booking link is here.

 

Grove Booklets Education Series Now Available on the DBE Website

Grove are now offering their popular short booklets in pdf form.

We have eD 60 – Developing a Theologically-rooted Christian Vision in Schools and eD 61 – Spiritual Agents: Pupils as Leaders of Collective Worship now available to view on the DBE website under general resources.

Use the password you’ve been given for this year to access. We will let you know on Headlines when we add new ones.

 

A Reminder to Book for the Great Big Live Assembly for Black History Month – 15 October

All Church of England schools are invited to join the Sanctuary Foundation’s special Great Big Live Assembly for Black History Month. The 20 minute assemblies (one for primary and one for secondary) will be live-streamed and feature BAFTA-nominated Children’s BBC presenter Gemma Hunt, BAFTA-winning 12-year-old presenter Jeriah Kibusi, and award-winning diversity author Dr. Krish Kandiah OBE. Find out more and book here.

Watch a 2 minute Promo Video here

Also don’t forget to use your Picture News free Black History Month pack and collective worship resources that were emailed to you last week.

 

Inter-Faith Week – 10 – 17 November 2024

Inter-Faith Week is a great opportunity for pupils to explore inter faith issues and for schools to build relationships with faith, belief and inter faith groups in their community. Find out more about how to mark this week in your classroom here. You could also invite a SACRE member to your school to talk about their faith. Email sacre@warwickshire.gov.uk if you would like to make contact.

 

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

 

School News

Diocesan Director of Education, Revd April Gold, visited St Oswald’s CofE Primary Academy in Rugby to open the school’s new prayer garden.  The weather meant that the ceremony happened indoors, with pictures of the prayer garden as a backdrop, but the ribbon was duly cut!

The prayer garden has been a collaborative project between St Oswald’s church and school and consists of eleven interactive prayer stations. Children can explore issues including forgiveness, love, thankfulness, trust, and the beauty of creation in a peaceful wooded area of the school grounds.

Project leader, Revd Jane Hulme, said, “Our hope for the prayer garden is that children will enjoy exploring the activities and encounter God as they do so.”

 

Book Now with Your Parish Partner for the DBE’s Upcoming Conference- Journeying Together for Inclusion – ‘The Last will be First’

Join us at Ardencote Hotel on Thursday, 14th November 9.15am – 2.30pm for a day of inspiration and joint working/visioning with your parish partners.

• How can school and parish work together to enhance community, belonging and inclusion?
• How might resources be shared to the benefit of both communities?
• How can we make sure everyone feels included and that they are valued in our communities?
• How can churches meaningfully and generously support their church school for ‘life in all its fullness’?
• How can schools lean into church support in innovative ways you may have not tried or thought about previously?

Speakers include:

• Sir John Timpson – Keynote on the Timpson approach to ‘Upside Down Management’.
• Elizabeth Olulari – Church of England Education Racial Justice Lead, discussing ‘Cultural Competency, Sensitivity & Humility’.
• Anna Shaw – CPAS, faciliting joint working on ‘Journeying Together – Power in Community’.
• The Bishop of Coventry – Leading us in worship and reflection.

Book your place here

 

Flourishing for All: Anti-Bullying Guidance (2024)

Following the consultation on a draft publication in July 2024, Flourishing for All has been updated and this final version of the document is the new recommended guidance for Church of England schools.

Please find the guidance here: Anti-bullying guidance for Church of England schools | The Church of England

Parts C to G will follow over the course of the next year. These parts will address bullying on the basis of: race, SEND, faith and belief, sexism and socio-economic disadvantage.

Leaders and governors need to be aware of this as it forms part of the responsibilites for dignity and respect in the life of church schools and in the impact of this will be inspected as part of the SIAMS framework.

 

Spirituality Short – Recording and Resources Now Available

Jen Jenkins started the first of the ‘Spritiuality Shorts’ this week. These are one-hour sessions designed to support you in embedding a holistic and authentic whole school approach to spiritual development.

This session introduced two models for spirituality and explored how to link these with your vision and to consider how the curriculum offers opportunities for spiritual development.

You can find the recording, slides and accompanying resources on the DBE website resources page under course resources. Access them with passcode you have alredy been given.

If you wish to book a place for the upcoming sessions click here.

 

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

 

 

School News

Jessica Newitt, Deputy Head Teacher at Alveston CofE Primary writes:

“I am delighted to share with you some of the wonderful activities and accomplishments of our children at Alveston CofE Primary School.

At the end of the summer, we held an Arts Week with the theme of ‘Community’ – one of our key values. It was a tremendous success. Our children engaged in various creative projects, most notably working with Wayside Willow to create a stunning willow cross, which stands proudly by our new outside reflective area. In addition, some of our children worked together to create a beautiful mosaic of our local church. We loved that we can bring a piece of St James’ into school.

Furthermore, we have been blessed to participate in the Eucharist at our local church. This service provided our children with an invaluable opportunity for spiritual growth and reflection, enhancing their understanding and appreciation of this important sacrament.

Our children have demonstrated remarkable creativity, dedication, and spiritual maturity through these activities, and we are incredibly proud of their achievements. We are grateful for the continued support of our community and the diocese, which makes these enriching experiences possible.”

 

Book Now for the DBE’s Headteacher and Parish Partners’ Conference – Journeying Together for Inclusion – ‘The Last will be First’

Join us at Ardencote Hotel on Thursday, 14th November 9.15am – 2.30pm for a day of inspiration and joint working/visioning with your parish partners.

Speakers include:

• Sir John Timpson – Keynote on the Timpson approach to ‘Upside Down Management’.
• Elizabeth Olulari – Church of England Education Racial Justice Lead, discussing ‘Cultural Competency, Sensitivity & Humility’.
• Anna Shaw – CPAS, reflecting on ‘Journeying Together – Power in Community’.
• The Bishop of Coventry – Leading us in worship and reflection.

Book your place here

 

For Full Headlines newsletter contact joanne.evans@coventrydbe.org

 

School News

At the beginning of the term Revd April Gold attended a Comissioning Service at St Nicolas Church for Ian Meikle the newly appointed Headteacher of St Nicolas CofE Primary, Nuneaton.

Pictured here with Revd Chris Routledge and Dawn Beasley (Chair of Governors).

 

Wilmcote CofE Primary has joined The Stour Federation Multi Academy Trust.

The Stour Federation has been actively supporting Wilmcote since November 2023, making this partnership a natural next step.

Headteacher Anita Twyman said: “This is an exciting new chapter for our school. Under the umbrella of The Stour Federation, we will be able to retain what makes our school special and unique, while also being able to increase the academic rigour for our students, and the resources and expertise of colleagues and leaders. We already feel that we belong.”

Christian Hilton, Chief Executive of The Stour Federation Multi Academy Trust, added: “We are thrilled to be welcoming Wilmcote into our Trust, come September. The strength of The Stour Federation lies in its ability to provide focused support and foster collaboration among like-minded schools. Having supported the school since November, we are really excited to be taking our partnership to the next level, with Wilmcote officially set to join The Stour Federation family.”

 

At St. Paul’s CofE Primary Nuneaton, they have made a decision to replace their weekly newsletter with a weekly podcast, in an effort at engage more families. Last Friday was Episode One and it featured their vicar, Revd Kate Massey.

The link to listen to it is here. The discuss the highlights of the first week back; things to look forward to and how school and church are working together.

The podcast has already been reached by 1400 people!

 

Headteacher Termly Briefing – Wed 18 September 2024

Don’t forget to join us for the Heads’ Briefing on Wednesday afternoon 18 September 14.00-15.30 on Zoom.

Book a place here.

Agenda

Opening Reflection and DBE Update – April Gold

Archbishops’ Young Leaders Award Update – Elizabeth Howat, Head of AYLA

Heads’ Reference Group (HTRAG) Update – HTRAG Rep

DBE Services, Resources and Support now available – Joanne Evans

SIAMS and RE Update – Jen Jenkins

‘Best practise and top tips’ session – focus on SEND – Tracy McEwan SENDco at St Margaret’s CofE Junior, Whitnash

Closing comments

 

For Those New to Leading in a Church School…

 See the Church of England Website for Core Key Documents

See the Coventry Diocesan Board of Education Website for Resources, Governance, Training and Events.

See the Cathedral Schools Team contact page for Coventry Cathedral Visits

Email any members of the DBE Team on church school matters and we’ll be happy to help!

 

Upcoming CPD for this Term…(Including Newly Added Events!)

Click on the links below to find out more and to book a place.

Spirituality Short – 17/09/24

Led by Jen Jenkins, This session will introduce you to two models for spirituality that will work well in church schools. It will help you to link your spirituality model to your vision and to consider how the curriculum offers opportunities for spiritual development.

 

Small Schools Network Start Up – 23/09/24

Facilitated initially by Jen Jenkins, but with a view to this group being self-supporting, this builds on the response and engagement in the ‘mixed-age classes’ meeting that was held to discuss potential challenges around the New Agreed Syllabus in April 2024. Participants found it helpful to discuss the common areas of experience in small schools and share solutions and good practice. The DBE hope this will be a helpful model to continue into this new academic year, especially around delivering the New Agreed Syllabus for RE and Worldviews.

RE CPD – 01/10/24

Led by Jen Jenkins, DBE RE and Spirituality Officer, these termly RE CPD sessions will focus on areas of the New Agreed Syllabus that respond to the needs of teachers as they emerge.

Termly SIAMS update – 09/10/24

Led by Jen Jenkins, DBE RE and Spirituality Officer, these termly sessions are intended to support those schools who are due for inspection within the next two academic years. The session will guide delegates responsively depending on what schools need, and there will be an update on any local and national information on good practice.

Half termly RE Clinic – Support for Delivering the New Agreed Syllabus -15/10/24

From September 2024 schools will be using the new RE Agreed Syllabus for Coventry and Warwickshire. This syllabus marks a significant shift in the way in which RE is taught and these half-termly RE Clinics, facilitated by Jen Jenkins, will allow RE teachers to get to grips with any challenges or questions in implementing this new approach in order to maintain high standards of provision.

Spirituality Short – 06/11/24

Annual Headteacher Conference – 14/11/24

Global Christianity within ‘Understanding Christianity’ – New Materials – 20/11/24

Half termly RE Clinic – Support for Delivering the New Agreed Syllabus – 25/11/24

For the rest of the academic year – see the CPD programme here

 

Church School Leadership Training for Middle Leaders

It’s not too late to sign up your middle leaders to sign up for the DBE’s ‘Flourishing Through Leading: A Two-Year Online Programme for Middle Leaders’ – a self-directed online course with ‘touching base’ network meetings.

This programme, starting this term, is designed to explore the formation and develoment of the middle leadership role specifically in a church school context. It is free to DSA subscribing schools. Send them this link to find out more.

 

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