Bringing school leaders together

For the first time, representatives from all six of Bath and Wells secondary schools and all three of its middle schools came together in Wells for a day of networking and collaboration. The nine schools are among our diocese’s 180 Church of England schools and face demands that differ from those of primary schools.

Head teachers, RE leads, chaplains and leads for Christian distinctiveness from school across the diocese took part in sessions covering everything from SIAMS inspection preparation, Religious Studies and school development.

Speaking after the event, Cheryl Govier, Assistant Director (Education and Leadership) said, ‘Our secondary and middle schools are spread across our entire diocese from Watchet to Frome, Bath to Crewkerne and everywhere in between, so it was wonderful to be able to gather together in Flourish House to meet one another, share ideas and inspiration.”

Leaders from The Bishop of Hereford’s Bluecoat School in the Diocese of Hereford joined the gathering to share their experience of preparing for and undergoing a SIAMS inspection as a Church of England secondary school.

The RE lead from Sexey’s Church of England School in Bruton, Somerset, shared how Pastor Mike Fleming brought an RE studies day to life when he shared his story of faith with the school’s sixth formers during their Religious Studies drop-down day.

During the afternoon there were a series of workshops which focused on school development plans, RE and collective worship.

Reflecting on the day Cheryl said, “it was a joy to hear the buzz in the room throughout the day and a desire to work together and learn from one another. Our middle and secondary school leaders face unique challenges as Church of England schools.

For school leaders to be able to spend time away from their schools, to be present at these events and invest the time in meeting and being with others requires a significant investment.”