29th January 2026
DBE News – MATs Meeting
MAT Members, CEOs, Chairs and DBE Board Members met on Tuesday at Ashorne Hill Conference Centre for a day focussed on collaboration and vision. Bishop Sophie led the morning and started the day with a communion service where she preached passionately in honour of Holocaust Memorial Day. She spoke about her current work in developing the vision for the diocese, her visits to schools and MAT visions. In addition, she interviewed April Gold, asking questions about DBE vision and strategy. The afternoon was spent hearing a short summary from each CEO about their MAT and its work, followed by discussions about collaborative working and how this might meet some of the challenges across the education sector. The day was hugely positive and attendees were keen to pursue further collegiate conversations after the government white paper is issued.
SIAMS News
Congratulations to staff and governors at the following schools who had their SIAMS inspections at the end of last term. They were all found to be living up to their foundation as a Church school, enabling pupils and adults to flourish.
You can read the reports here:
Shottery St Andrew’s CofE Primary
Church of England National Society Annual Conference 2026 Last Week
Great to see Colleagues at, St John’s, Hackney in London last Thursday 22 January 2026 for the National Society’s FlourishEd conference and the first ever ‘Festival of Flourishing’.
The conference brought together school and trust leaders, teachers, clergy, policymakers and young people to explore how placing children and young people at the heart of leadership, governance and culture can enable schools and communities to flourish.
There were keynotes from Tom Rees, Chief Executive of Ormiston Academies Trust, who also chairs the DfE’s SEND Inclusion in Education Expert Group; Rachel Gardner, author and Director of Partnerships at Youthscape, and Amjad Ali, Trust Training and Inclusion lead at Chiltern Learning Trust.
The Festival of Flourishing saw young people from across the country performing and demonstrating the vital contribution of creativity to confidence, belonging and wellbeing. It closed with a contribution from celebrated gospel choir leader Karen Gibson, who worked with students from Twyford CofE High School before inviting the entire conference to its feet in joyful song.
The day concluded with the ‘Flourishing Feast’ which offered an opportunity to thank Nigel Genders, who after more than a decade as the Church of England’s Chief Education Officer is leaving to take up the role of the Government’s Chief Schools Adjudicator. Leaders and colleagues paid warm tribute to his leadership, partnership and unwavering commitment to improving the life chances of children in Church of England schools.
Prior to the dinner, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson spoke warmly about the Church of England’s long‑standing contribution to national education, praising the commitment, community role and leadership of its schools and trusts. She highlighted the strength of the partnership between Church and state, recognising the impact of Church of England schools in serving more than a million children and acting as “calm and hopeful anchors” within their communities. Read the Education Secretary’s full speech here.
Primary Schools ‘Big Sing’ at Coventry Cathedral
A new initiative for 2026, Coventry Cathedral’s Music Department invites primary schools into the stunning setting of Coventry Cathedral to fill this amazing space with the sound of Coventry’s young voices. This promises to be an experience for your children like no other, combining the musical, historical and liturgical life of the City of Coventry into one spectacular singing showcase.
Tuesday 12 May 2026, 11:00am at Coventry Cathedral
Schools taking part will work in partnership with music staff from Coventry Cathedral in preparing and performing the music at the Big Sing. Participating schools will receive 3×1 hour FREE full class (up to 30 children per half hour) singing lessons from specialist music staff to help prepare your children.
See the full information pack and sign up here.
Headteacher Wellbeing
Salt and Light Retreat – 48 hours to to nourish your inner self and reconnect with your purpose
A reminder that there is still time to book your space on our upcoming Salt & Light retreat taking place 24-26 March. Further details and booking link can be found here.
Headteacher Wellbeing Lunches
Spring term – Thursday 05 March held at Wootton Park Wellness – for more information and to book click here.
Summer term – For your diary – Weds 10 June held at a new venue in Coventry. Further details to follow.
For the full Headlines newsletter contact joanne.evans@coventrydbe.org