Welcome and support for new school leaders

Twenty-one school leaders and a Multi-Academy Trust chief executive were welcomed into our diocesan education family on 5 November. They gathered in Wells to meet members of the diocesan Education team and hear about the support available to them. All the new leaders have taken up posts in local authority-maintained schools or Multi-Academy Trusts across the diocese in the past year.

The afternoon began at Flourish House with a reflection led by Bishop Fiona and an induction session introducing the diocesan Education team and the services they offer. Education leaders from Somerset Council and the Multi-Academy Trusts joined the event to support and encourage their new colleagues. After afternoon tea, the group joined Evensong at Wells Cathedral, where they were welcomed and included in prayers.

Following the service, the group then joined Bishop Michael and Bishop Fiona for an evening reception at The Bishop’s Palace. Each of them where they were presented with a Bible.
Speaking afterwards Bishop Fiona said, “It was a real joy to meet the new leaders of our diocesan family of schools, to pray for them, and to commission them for their vital roles. The work they do is of immense value as they shape the culture of the schools and MATs in which they serve and cultivate an environment where every child, young person and adult in the school knows that they are uniquely valued by God.”

Reflecting on the welcome for new colleagues, Ed Gregory, Director of Education for the Diocese of Bath and Wells, said, “It was a delight to welcome our new education leaders for this very special event which demonstrate how much we value our colleagues stepping in to these roles. At the start of the event Bishop Fiona shared a beautiful reflection on leadership and by the end our guests left knowing how being part of our wider church family offers additional professional support and pastoral care amidst these challenging times.”