4th July 2025
School News
Pupils from All Saints’ CofE Junior in Warwick joined a global congregation at Westminster Abbey, for a special service to mark the 80th anniversary of international development agency Christian Aid.
The event involved some 2,000 guests, from staff and supporters, to church leaders and charity partners from around the world, who came together to reflect on achievements of the past eight decades, give thanks, and recommit to the charity’s mission to end global poverty.
Headteacher, Sandra Sutherland, said: “We were delighted to be invited to participate in this special service, in recognition of our success in achieving the Gold Level of Christian Aid’s ‘Global Neighbours’ award. We travelled to London with all of the children in Year 4 for this inspiring opportunity; they had previously completed a virtual learning session and tour which helped them to appreciate the grandeur and magnificence of the Abbey.”
The school was accompanied by their newly appointed vicar, Sharon, who will start her role in the autumn term. A wonderful experience for the children and memorable to be part of the atmosphere outside, after the service, while the bells of Westminster Abbey sounded. They even managed to get a ‘selfie’ with Revd Kate Bottley, who was doing one of the readings!
Want Your Middle Leaders to Flourish in Their Role? Sign Them Up to the DBE’s Online Middle Leaders Programme for Next Academic Year
Designed to support those with middle leadership roles in Church schools in Coventry Diocese to consider how to lead with Christian distinctiveness and to support them in becoming the leader they want to be.
The tow year programme is free as part of the Diocesan Service Agreement and uses a blend of online self-directed sessions with touching base meetings facilitated by Jen Jenkins, the DBE’s RE, SIAMS and Spirituality Officer,
Many of the previous participants have gone on to senior positions and Headships in CofE schools, armed with more confidence and knowledge about leading Christian Education. Here is what some of them have said…
It has been the most supportive and uplifting course I’ve ever been on…
I really have learnt so much over the past 2 years, and feel like a stronger, more capable leader as a result of your guidance.
Is this a leadership course? Yes, but its USP for me is that it has helped thoughtfully determine (with compassion) the type of leader I want to be and reaffirmed the ethical direction that I want to go in. Sometimes it is easy to get lost in the details of everyday life within an educational environment. This two-year course has been my anchor, threading through, it’s been there when I’ve needed it the most, often when I didn’t realise I needed it. Jen’s approach is one of care, gentle probing and ultimately facilitating a safe, reflective space in which to flourish. I highly recommend this course and its reading list!
To find out more and sign up – see the course information here
For RE Leads
Do check out Jen Jenkins’ latest Summer Term RE Round Up.
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