Schools

The Diocese of Bath and Wells Education Department supports 181 Church of England Schools. We provide professional advice and assistance to support schools in all aspects of their Christian Distinctiveness, through interpreting and sharing the Church of England’s Vision for Education and its 4 key pillars of wisdom, hope, community and dignity. We particularly support schools to develop their own unique vision in their own unique setting. We are share all aspects of our offer through our Core Offer booklet, our CPD brochure,  with our schools through our regular headteacher and chair of governors’ briefings and via newsletters and regular communication.

School Effectiveness

The school effectiveness team provides expert support, training and guidance to school leaders, governors and trustees on all matters outside those relating directly to school effectiveness. These include:

• Vision, values and Ethos, values, spirituality and worship
• RE, Collective Worship and Spirituality
• Leadership
• Governance
• SIAMS
• School to school support
• Monitoring of standards and outcomes and brokering of support for vulnerable schools
• Headteacher appointments
• Wellbeing

School organisation

The school organisation team provides expert support, training and guidance to school leaders, governors and trustees on all matters outside those relating directly to school effectiveness. These include:

• School governance (in partnership with the school effectiveness team) including reconstitution/models of governance/clerks’ training
• School admissions and appeals
• Academy models, including MATs
• Asset management and grant allocation for VA schools
• School buildings – capital investment for VA schools
• School expansions
• Change of status e.g. VC to VA
• Models of partnership working e.g. Federations, MATs
• Establishment of new schools
• School re-organisation including amalgamations/closures/site disposals
• Regularisation and accurate documentation of site ownership
• Advice to trustees

The departmental team works closely with external experts on surveying, valuations, legal advice and admissions to ensure that Church schools have the advice they need to ensure compliance with all relevant legislation.

Useful links for more information

The Department of Education
The Church of England Education Office 

Schools newsletter

Download the Autumn term 2021 newsletter

Who to contact

The Education team

Downloads

School Effectiveness Strategy

Governance Strategy