6th September 2024
School News
April Gold visited Clifton upon Dunsmore CofE Primary School for the opening of their new pre-school provision on 30th August. The new class will cater for children aged 3 and 4 years old mirroring the school day. The school’s intent is that children attending pre-school will develop a love of learning, foster lasting friendships and flourish in an enviornment where they feel safe and secure. Christian ethos ‘With open minds and loving hearts, we will achieve’ will be woven through all areas in order that children and their families feel that they are part of the whole school community and an integral part of the Early Years Provision.
The pre-school classroom is situated right in the heart of the old Victorian school building which dates from 1850, occupying the old hall and classroom space and part of the ground floor of the old headteacher’s house. Almost 175 years from opening, Clifton CofE primary school is continuing to provide a loving and nurturing space for the children of the village.
SIAMS Reports
Congratulations to both Leigh CofE Academy and Hampton Lucy CofE Primary who had their SIAMS inspections late in the summer term. They were both found to be living up to their foundation as a Church schools enabling pupils and adults to flourish. Well done to all the staff and governors in those schools. Read the reports by clicking on the links below:
DBE News – New Deputy Diocesan Director of Education
The DBE is delighted to announce the appointment of Georgina Newton, an experienced teacher of over 30 years, who joins the DBE team as Deputy Diocesan Director of Education.
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.
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
Password for DBE Website Resources
Please note that the Password for the resources on the DBE wesbite will be changing from the end of business on 6th Sept and the new password issued to DSA subscribing schools and MATs by email.
Upcoming CPD for this Term…
Click on the links below to find out more and to book a place.
Induction Event for Senior Leaders – 11/09/24
Termly Headteacher Briefing – 18/09/24
Small Schools Network Start Up – 23/09/24
Celebration of Governance Event – 08/10/24
Termly SIAMS update – 09/10/24
Half termly RE Clinic – Support for Delivering the New Agreed Syllabus -15/10/24
Annual Headteacher Conference – 14/11/24
Half termly RE Clinic – Support for Delivering the New Agreed Syllabus – 25/11/24
Leadership in Church Schools
Induction Event for Headteachers and Senior Leaders New to Church Schools – Please Pass on to Colleagues who might be interested…
If you are a new Head or senior leader, please book or encourage new colleagues to book for this session by clicking this link.
11 September 2024
16.00 to 17.00 – online via Teams
Free for newly appointed senior leaders in Coventry diocesan schools
In this this online event you will meet the DBE team and learn about the distinctive elements of life in a Church of England school in Coventry Diocese. We will cover mission, vision and values, SIAMS, collective worship, requirements for RE and answer any of the questions you might have about preparing for success in your new role.
Have You Got Great Middle Leaders?
Do signpost them 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 in the autumn 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.
Headteacher Conference – “Journeying Together for Inclusion – ‘The Last will be First”
Please do put Thursday 14 November 2024 in your diary for a day for Headteachers to be inspired along with their parish partners. There will be more information about this event at the Heads’ Briefing on 18th September.
News from the Church of England National Society
The Church of England’s National Society for Education has published its latest annual SIAMS inspection report for Church schools, revealing a smooth transition away from single-word inspection grades to a new framework that emphasises a more compassionate, contextual approach to accountability.
This month’s edition of ‘Called, Connected, Committed’ has a theme of ‘Responding to the Summer Riots – Educating for Community and Living Well Together’. This includes collective worship for primary and secondary, and a number of useful resources for church schools on diversity and anti-racism.
iSingPOP
Headteachers should now have received the autumn term Classroom Worship log on details. If you haven’t received it please do let us know.
You should have also received your Pop Box – ‘Heroes of the Old Testament’. Do liaise with your vicar or parish partner on how to best use them for your collective worship.
Emma Kenyon, the DBE’s iSingPOP leader still has dates available to book for in-school workshops up to the end of the year. Do get in quick and book direct with Emma for dates still available – Emma.Kenyon@isingpop.com
For Own Admission Authorities – Action This Term
Just a reminder that own admission authorities (MATs and VA schools) should be in the process of reviewing and determining their admission policies for 2026/27 this term. This needs to be done by 28 February.
If you are making any changes to this policy you need to publicly consult on this. The consultation window is 6 weeks between 1 October – 31 January. If you require any further support in this process or just a chat about the options do contact Joanne Evans.
It is a statutory requirement to send your policy to the DBE so please do email it to us once governors have formally agreed it as well as notifying the LA and publishing it on the school website.
National Younger Leadership Groups from the Church of England Education Office
National Younger Leadership Groups are starting this year facilitated by the Archbishops Youth Leadership Award team. Sign up your school by Friday 18th October
For the full Headlines newsletter contact joannee.evans@coventrydbe.org