18th December 2025
Diocesan News
In last week’s Headlines Revd April Gold announced that she is to finish in her role as Diocesan Director of Education for the Diocese of Coventry in August 2026. You can read the Diocese of Coventry official press release here
‘Light Has Come’ – Reflective Journal for Headteachers
Jen Jenkins has created a Headteacher advent/Christmas reflective journal based on a playlist by the band Future of Forestry and invites you to spend some time listening to some beautiful Christmas songs, reflecting on the Nativity story and taking some well-deserved time out for yourself as we enter the festive season.
Find it on the DBE website under Headteacher Resources – access with the usual password.
Senior Leader ‘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 our “Salt and Light Retreat”. 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.
Find out more and register here. Closing date 31 January.
The Latest Grove Education Booklet Available – Ed66
Treasuring the Earth: Inspiring Heads, Hearts and Hands in School Communities for People and Planet
This latest in the Grove Education series, designed to be read in an hour, is written by Ryan Parker, the RE and Christian Ethos Adviser for the Diocese of St Albans.
Treasuring our planet is the fifth of the ‘Marks of Mission,’ yet concern for earth’s ecology is often forgotten, soft-pedalled
or even questioned altogether. This booklet helpfully explores what practical steps schools can take to help nurture
our children to care for and treasure the earth we tend to take for granted.
Find it on the DBE website general resources section – look for ‘Grove Booklets’ and use the usual password.
ISingPOP Classroom Worship – Spring Term
Heads and RE Leads have been sent the Guidance Notes for the first half term of iSingPOP’s Spring Classroom Worship, focusing on the themes of Change and Joy, Episodes for the second half of the term will be added by mid-January and will explore the theme of Easter. If you haven’t had it you can look on the DBE website under Collective Worship Resources and access with the usual password.
Don’t forget that if you would like some iSingPOP work in school, or for someone to work with your pupil worship team – contact Emma at emma.kenyon@isingpop.com
New Live Training Dates for Difference for Primary Schools
Difference is a free suite of resources to 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.
Early 2026 live training opportunities are now live You can register for any of the following here:
Wednesday 7 January 2026: 10.00 -12.00
Tuesday 13 January 2026: 10.00-12.00
Monday, 16 February 2026: 15:30-17:30
Tuesday, 3 March 2026: 10.00-12.00
Wishing you hope, peace, joy and love this Christmas whatever you are doing from all in the DBE Team.
Next Headlines will be on 08 January 2026.
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6