6th November 2025
Response to the Government’s Curriculum and Assessment Review Regarding RE
The conclusions and recommendations of the independent review of the curriculum, assessment and qualifications system have been published. The DfE documents (including a response from the Government) are linked here and a Schools Week overview article is linked here. The report recommends adding religious education to the to the national curriculum.
The Church of England has welcomed the scrapping of the EBacc, highlighting the positive implications for Religious Education and reaffirming its commitment to ensuring RE remains central to a broad and balanced curriculum. The Church’s Chief Education Officer, Nigel Genders, said:
“We welcome the decision to scrap the EBacc, an accountability measure which has always had a negative impact on RE and will now make it easier for pupils to study Religious Education at GCSE as part of a broad and balanced curriculum. At a time where the need for understanding and dialogue across different faith groups and worldviews is increasingly evident, the importance of children studying RE could not be clearer. The Church of England has already contributed to the curriculum and assessment review, including through the deep dive into RE. We also look forward to continuing to engage with proposals to develop RE in a way that ensures every young person has the opportunity to explore questions of meaning, purpose and belief, whilst enabling church schools to continue to provide RE in a way that is consistent with their designation as schools with a religious character.”
The new Coventry and Warwickshire syllabus was designed with input from specialists and represents a modern approach. Implementing the recommendations will take time and it is unlikely that things will change in the immediate future.
Experience Christmas Event for Your School at Coventry Cathedral
The Experience Christmas event will see your pupils journeying around the beautiful and festively dressed Cathedral on a Christmas trail, learning the Christmas story, and reflecting on how this may connect with our lives today.
Learn about how Christians celebrate Christmas, visiting the very special Nativity Crib and Christmas Tree.
You will be glad to know that this event ties neatly into the Coventry and Warwickshire agreed syllabus for RE. There will also be craft activities, and some dressing up fun too!
The event will be running daily from 1st – 4th December 2025, with morning (10am-12pm) and afternoon (12.30-2.30pm) sessions available.
The cost is £5 per child including all resources. This event is suitable for EYFS to lower Key Stage 2.
If you would like to make a booking or find out more information please contact school.bookings@coventrycathedral.org.uk
Now Booking for the DBE’s Salt and Light Retreat – 24-26 March 2026
How long is it since you took time away, to nourish your inner self?
To reconnect with your purpose and emerge ready for the next phase of your leadership journey?
At Coventry DBE our mission is to inspire schools to demonstrate the love of Christ as they educate for life in all its fullness, and we are inviting you to participate in one of our “Salt and Light Retreats”. It’s a chance to reflect and rest, immersed in the majesty of nature, in the unique setting of a lighthouse on the Welsh coast.
A 48-hour retreat in an unplugged space, in an area of natural beauty on the Welsh coast, you can join with a small group of other leaders to be nourished and envisioned. Alongside 6-8 other leaders, you will be treated to wholesome, plentiful meals. There will be lightly facilitated sessions to help you flourish as a CofE school leader.
Whether you have a Christian faith, a different faith or none, you will be given opportunity to reflect and connect. Using some principles from coaching and culture-building programmes our facilitator will help you get the most out of this time; and, of course, if you fancy exploring the stunning coastline, taking a dip in the sea or gazing at the sea and stars they can show you the way.
Not Long until the Headteacher and Parish Partners’ Conference…Do Sign up a Colleague if You Can’t Attend
Tues 18 November
‘Leading for Faith, Hope and Justice’
We look forward to welcoming you to this year’s conference at Ardencote Hotel on Tuesday 18 November 2025, 09.30 – 14.30 for a day of inspiration and joint working with your Parish Partners. If you can’t attend, do please send another colleague.
Keynote Speaker Diana Osagie on ‘Being Fearless and Intentionally Courageous’
Diana Osagie brings over two decades of experience including taking on the role of headteacher in a secondary school in inner London. Her journey is rooted in resilience, courage, and a commitment to honesty. Diana has led through adversity and speaks with humour and insight. She aims to connect, inspire, motivate and leave you ready to roar with the courage in your leadership!
Find out how to deliver ‘Difference for Primary’ in your school
After lunch there will be a workshop with the Difference team from Lambeth Palace. Their free suite of ‘Difference’ resources will help your school navigate an increasingly complex world, inspired by Jesus to embrace difference and champion a culture of hope and empathy. Find out more about Difference here.
Or Learn about becoming a Cross of Nails School (or how to refresh your status) with Emma Griffiths from Coventry Cathedral.
Do send an additional staff member after lunch if you’d like your school to take advantage of both workshops (Difference and ICONS).
We will be Worshipping with iSingPOP and see their new song to complement the ‘Difference’ programme.
Each school attending will get a free copy of ‘Heroes of Hope’ – 22 Inspiring Stories of Christians around the World by Revd Dr Sharon Prentis and Alysia-Lara Ayonrinde.
There will be time at the end of the day to use the space to hold any gatherings or have networking time if you wish.
The full agenda is here and book your place here.
Newly Launched for Senior Leaders … Wholehearted Leadership: An Online Programme
This is a new programme for Senior Leaders in Church schools, providing half-termly sessions where senior leaders are invited to consider leadership issues through a lens of Christian distinctiveness with input from Jen Jenkins, the DBE’s RE, SIAMS & Spirituality Officer. It is offered as a ‘gift’ to you – a space to reflect on your development as a person, teacher and leader, and meet and discuss with other senior leaders in the diocese.
The programme uses a blend of online self-directed sessions with face-to-face events. It has three core components of focus, personal reflection and coaching. It is based on Thessalonians 5:12-18 giving it a distinctively Christian approach.
Jen was formerly a Deputy Headteacher and the programme is informed by shadowing senior leaders in the diocese so that the current reality for senior leaders is deeply considered.
Find out more here and do share with SLT colleagues. To enrol and get started on your first self-directed sessions this term contact: lisa.boffey@coventrydbe.org
For the full Headlines newsletter contact joanne.evans@covneytrydbe.org