Diocese of Chichester Education Department
The Board of Education, based at Church House, Hove, works closely with Church schools which currently educate more than 37,000 children across Sussex. The Board is committed to nurturing the Christian ethos whilst extending a warm welcome to all.
REfresh
Monday 6 January 2025
Format: Pre-recorded & Live Zoom Q & A
FOR: For ECTS or teachers who are need of some basic RE refresher training
The training is delivered via pre-recorded sessions.
Once participants have registered for the training they will be sent a link to the materials.
The pre-recorded materials provide an outline of the key features of effective RE and explore some of the fundamental principles for planning and teaching enriching RE which fulfils CE expectations.
Understanding Christianity: Introduction and Overview
Monday 6 January 2025
Format: Pre-recorded & Live Zoom Q & A
FOR: RE teachers/ ECTs who are new to using UC or who have had no previous training on the resource.
This course is delivered over 3 pre-recorded sessions. Once participants have registered, they will be sent a link to the materials. The training provides a comprehensive overview of the Understanding Christianity resource and will enable teachers to plan effective units of work.
Session 1 – overview of the UC resource
Session 2 – making sense of the Bible
Session 3 – principles for planning
Getting Started with RE in Church Schools
Monday 13 January 2025
For: ECTS in CE schools.
This course will also be of benefit to experienced teachers who have had little or no RE training or need refresher training.
The training looks at statutory requirements for RE and CE expectations and provides some top tips for delivering engaging and enriching RE.
SIAMS: Exploring IQ3
Between Tuesday 14 January 2025 and Monday 31 March 2025
SIAMS: Exploring IQ3: Collective Worship for Spiritual Flourishing
FOR: headteachers and senior leaders & collective worship lead.
This training session looks at how a theologically rooted Christian vision might shape
collective worship and spiritual flourishing. Participants will have the opportunity to
reflect on how to evaluate the impact of worship and spiritual flourishing and consider
the evidence base they will need to provide for this IQ.
SIAMS: Exploring IQ1
Thursday 23 January 2025
SIAMS: Exploring IQ1-Developing A Theologically Rooted Christian Vision
FOR: headteachers and senior leaders. This course will be particularly valuable for
newly appointed headteachers.
The course explores SIAMS IQ1 and unpacks the phrase ’ theologically rooted Christian vision’ focusing on what it is and what is isn’t Participants will consider the characteristics of a theologically rooted Christian vision, look at some examples of school vision statements and have the opportunity to reflect on their own vision and its impact. Participants will be provided with a vision toolkit which can be used with stakeholders in school. We recommend that it is also used as a focus for an SEO visit.
SIAMS: Exploring IQ 6 & 7
Monday 3 February 2025
SIAMS: Exploring IQ 6 & 7: Effective and High Quality RE
FOR: headteachers and senior leaders & RE lead.
This training session will enable senior leaders to know what an effective RE curriculum
looks like by exploring the key elements of the RE curriculum that are rooted in vision
and fulfil the expectations of the Statement of Entitlement for RE. Participants will also
have the opportunity to consider what constitutes effective classroom practice,
assessment informed teaching and learning and good pupil outcomes.
Excellent RE
Between Thursday 6 February 2025 and Thursday 1 May 2025
This training focuses on different types of knowledge in RE (substantive, disciplinary and personal knowledge) and enables participants to have a clear understanding of current Ofsted and Church of England expectations. It provides participants with the subject knowledge and expertise to teach and assess different types of knowledge effectively in order to help pupils become ‘RE Specialists’.
Although the training is delivered online it is interactive. Participants will need to bring some materials with them (they will be given advance notice of what to bring to each session) and will be expected to contribute to the discussions and activities that are built into the sessions.
SIAMS: Exploring IQ2
Monday 10 February 2025
SIAMS: Exploring IQ2-Vision Informed Curriculum
FOR: headteachers and senior leaders.
This training focuses on how to establish an effective curriculum which is rooted in vision and enhances spiritual development. During the session participants will
consider the theologically rooted drivers which should inform and shape curriculum design and provision and ensure spiritual development is an intrinsic part of the curriculum. Participants will also have the opportunity to reflect on impact and the evidence base they will need to provide for this IQ.
SIAMS: Exploring IQ 4 & 5
Tuesday 11 February 2025
SIAMS: Exploring IQ 4 & 5- Creating an Active Culture of Dignity, Justice and Responsibility
FOR: Headteachers and senior leaders/ DEI lead
This training session focuses on IQ 4 and IQ5 and considers how a theologically rooted
vision should underpin an active culture of justice and responsibility based on dignity
and respect for all. In particular, the session explores what is meant by social action and
courageous advocacy. Participants will have the opportunity to consider how to
evaluate impact and the type of evidence they might present for an inspection.
Diocese of Chichester Headteacher Conference 2025
Friday 21 March 2025
Annual Conference for Headteachers in the Diocese of Chichester.
An opportunity to hear from inspirational speakers, spend time with colleagues and be refreshed in beautiful surroundings, with a full lunch and refreshments provided.
The conference will focus on the theme of “Journey”, and speakers include
Bishop Will Hazlewood, Bishop of Lewes
Floyd Steadman OBE, ex headteacher & former captain of Saracens Rugby team
Steve Chalke OBE, founder of Oasis Charitable Trust.
Laura McInerney, Co-founder of Teacher Tapp & Education journalist
Ashdown Park Hotel
Governors Monitoring
Thursday 5 December 2024
Learn how to monitor against the School Development Plan as a governor including a focus on Collective Worship, Religious Education, Spirituality and other areas in Inspection frameworks.
This session is a follow up to both the Ofsted and SIAMS training courses, though you do need to have attended either.
Governor’s monitoring is necessary to support school improvement and contribute the accountability role. You will consider the limits, the focus and the reporting involved and how to ensure this makes a positive contribution as well as ensuring inspectors will see how governors participate and know the school. The SIAMS framework specifically focuses on such things as courageous advocacy, spirituality, collective worship and religious education so attention will be given to these and other areas common to both inspection frameworks.
Suitable for all governors and especially Foundation Governors.
Managing and Maintaining Your School Buildings
Tuesday 26 November 2024
topics include:
• Capital funding/ VA schools/ SCA applications
• Consent for Capital Works
• Net Zero Carbon 2030
RE Lead: Role and Responsibilities
Friday 15 November 2024
Effective RE Leadership (1):Role and Responsibilities
FOR: RE leads who are new to RE leadership or who have not had any previous training.
The course focuses on:
• the key features and responsibilities of the RE subject leader
• statutory and CE expectations
• how to establish an effective RE curriculum
• how to support colleagues
Schools Diocese of Chichester
Governors and safeguarding as Mission
Tuesday 12 November 2024
Having undertaken or planning to do safeguarding training elsewhere, governors of Church schools will find this session helpful to provide theological roots to why and how to develop their strategic role.
Governors need to access safeguarding training but how and why does that fit within the church school setting. This reflective session will provide the theological and practical basis for why schools must create and safeguard governors, staff and children. The Grove Book ‘Safeguarding as Mission’, its 10 learning points and some biblical text will provide a source of help and information.
It is not essential to have read the book in advance but if attendees would like to it is available from https://grovebooks.co.uk/product/mev-146-safeguarding-as-mission-learning-from-encounters-with-jesus/
Chichester Diocese Education Autumn Briefing
Thursday 7 November 2024
Termly briefing for headteachers and all governors (including ex-officio) of Church of England schools in the Diocese of Chichester.
New Chairs of Governors of a Church School
Tuesday 22 October 2024
Have you been recently elected to a chairing role?
This short course is designed to help all new and potential chairs, vice-chairs and committee chairs to explore their role as leaders and the responsibilities involved specifically in a church school context. Following the session attendees are offered the opportunity of 1:1 support along with an online Learning Page with relevant resources.
Collective Worship for Spiritual Flourishing-Moving Forward
Friday 11 October 2024
FOR: headteachers, collective worship leads and clergy who lead acts of worship in schools.
The training is designed to give collective worship leads the confidence and expertise to plan and lead inspiring worship in their school. Over the day, participants will consider the expectations for collective worship in church schools and reflect on the characteristics of enriching and inspiring worship and spiritual flourishing. The training will also consider how to evaluate the impact of collective worship and gather evidence of spiritual flourishing
Schools Diocese of Chichester
OFSTED for governors in Church schools
Friday 11 October 2024
Anticipating an Ofsted Inspection?
Or want to know more about what to expect and how to strategically support the school to improve in the light of the Ofsted Framework?
This course will enable governors to understand the process, think about how to be prepared and more importantly focus on their role in school improvement.