17th April 2026
School News
From ‘Banter’ to Belonging
Kim Ballard, Fosse MAT’s Inclusion Lead and SENDco for Wellesbourne CofE Primary shares how they transformed ‘banter’ into belonging through honest conversations, anti‑racism workshops, and courageous staff leadership through a microgrant from the West Midlands Racial Justice Initiative.
Read the full story here. Find out more about how your school can apply for a grant here.
Wolvey CofE Primary Unveils Community-Crafted ‘Wolvey Wolf’ Sculpture
On 24 March Wolvey CofE Primary School was proud to celebrate the unveiling of its unique Wolvey Wolf sculpture – a powerful symbol of identity, inclusion and community collaboration.
The striking piece was created in partnership with Jake Bowers, a well-renowned Gypsy artist and filmmaker, who worked closely with pupils to bring their vision to life. Back in September, children had the opportunity to take part in a hands-on creative process, including using a forge to help design elements of the sculpture. This immersive experience enabled pupils to connect with traditional craft techniques while expressing their own ideas and heritage through art.
The sculpture is also rooted in the school’s Wolvey Wolf Values, which underpin daily life at Wolvey CofE Primary:
- W – Work hard
- O – Outstanding behaviour
- L – Learning new things
- F – Friendship and kindness
These values are embodied in both the creative process and the final piece, reflecting the dedication, curiosity and strong relationships seen across the school community.
The project reflects the school’s deep commitment to celebrating its diverse community and its Christian Vision ‘…Among us you are all equal…’ Galatians 3:28. Wolvey is particularly proud of its strong representation of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) children. The school’s GRT cohort accounts for 65% of Rugby District’s GRT pupils and 32% of all primary-aged GRT children across Warwickshire – a significant and valued part of the school’s identity.
The importance of this work has also been recognised nationally. Representatives from the DfE visited the school to film and showcase how Wolvey is supporting children and families from GRT backgrounds. The visit highlighted the school’s inclusive ethos, its focus on building strong relationships with families, and its commitment to ensuring every child feels valued and supported.
The sculpture now stands as a lasting reminder of the creativity, heritage and unity that define Wolvey CofE Primary School.
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.
For the full Headlines newsletter contact Joanne.evans@coventrydbe.org