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
Between Tuesday 1 October 2024 and 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. Following completion of the course cohorts will be invited to attend a live Q & A session in Summer Term 2/Term 6.
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
Between Tuesday 1 October 2024 and 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. Following completion of the course cohorts will be invited to attend a live Q & A session in Summer Term 2/Term 6. 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
SIAMS: Exploring IQ2
Between Tuesday 8 October 2024 and 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.
New Chairs of Governors of a Church School
Tuesday 8 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
Between Friday 11 October 2024 and Thursday 22 May 2025
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.
Excellent RE
Between Thursday 17 October 2024 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’.
The training is delivered over three sessions.
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 for governors
Between Thursday 17 October 2024 and Friday 9 May 2025
A two-session course for governors explaining the thinking behind the SIAMS Framework and the process of an Inspection.
If your school is on the list for Inspection this course will give you an overview of the Framework, the process of the inspection and how to develop your approach. With a focus on developing a theologically rooted Christian vision and understanding the Inspection Questions you will be helped to prioritise school improvement whilst being prepared for the inspection. Important for Foundation Governors in pursuing their role but also helpful to all governors. It is necessary to attend both sessions to complete the course.
SIAMS: Exploring IQ 6 & 7
Between Tuesday 5 November 2024 and Monday 3 March 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.
Getting Started with RE in Church Schools
Between Thursday 7 November 2024 and 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.
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.
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/
Making Sense of Church School Governance
Between Tuesday 12 November 2024 and Thursday 5 June 2025
In two sessions (attendance at both is necessary) the new governor will discover the principles and practices of being a governor in a Church of England School.
Understanding the church context and the importance of the Church of England's Vision for Education and governance in a school with a religious foundation will enable better engagement. Plenty of tips and ideas will equip you with your role will be explained, and an online Learning Page with resources will be available after the session.
This is a required course for Foundation Governors, and others, including more experienced governors, are also welcome.
Clergy as Governors
Between Thursday 14 November 2024 and Tuesday 6 May 2025
A series of three development sessions for clergy exploring the role of governor in any school
Sessions 1 & 3 need to be attended. Session 2 is optional and is for those who are ex-officio or a governor in a Church School
Session 1: Governance as a ministry for clergy
Exploring the possibilities of the governance pastorally, practically engaging (providing a genuine growing partnership), and a prophetic voice.
Session 2: Theology and vision – a role for ex-officio clergy
(optional – this session is particularly suitable for Church School Governors)
Exploring what a theologically rooted Christian vision is and how to assist the governance board in developing their thinking and understanding. The aim is to equip ex-officio governors in developing the schools’ vision and the conversations held during a SIAMS Inspection
Session 3: Options for clergy governance engagement
Facing the time challenge and commitment, some practical ideas for considering
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
RE Lead: Evidence Base
Between Friday 15 November 2024 and Thursday 27 February 2025
Effective RE Leadership (2): Establishing reliable evidence
FOR: RE leaders in schools who are confident about the role and responsibilities of the RE leader.
Participants should have attended part 1 of this training course or prior RE subject leader training.
The course focuses on Ofsted and SIAMS inspection expectations and is designed to give RE leaders the confidence to talk about the effectiveness of their RE curriculum and present a robust evidence base. The session also looks at the key features of effective and meaningful assessment in RE.
Schools Diocese of Chichester
Governors Monitoring
Between Thursday 5 December 2024 and Tuesday 3 June 2025
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.
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.
Schools Diocese of Chichester
SIAMS: Exploring IQ 4 & 5
Between Tuesday 11 February 2025 and Monday 28 April 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.
Governance in a Christian Manner
Thursday 6 March 2025
Governance in a Christian Manner is a reflective and informing session considering how to approach governance roles and responsibilities.
The concept of ‘in a Christian Manner’ was introduced in thinking about education and a SIAMS Inspection. Grove Books have published a book by Mike Simmonds exploring this theme enabling governors to reflect on the impact of their faith as they carry out their roles and responsibilities. The book which includes case studies, quotes and examples of biblical characters will provide a backdrop to the session aimed at enabling governors in church and other schools/academies to develop their thinking and practice. 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/ed-59-governance-in-a-christian-manner/
Courageous Advocacy
Friday 9 May 2025
Courageous Advocacy: Establishing an Active Culture of Justice and Responsibility
FOR: Headteachers, Senior Leaders/ Middle Leaders
This training day builds on the SIAMS training course focusing on inspection questions 4
& 5. It equips participants with a deeper understanding of justice and responsibility in a
church school, exploring what a ‘culture of justice and responsibility’ might look like and
the theological basis for this. It looks at ways schools might inspire courageous
advocacy through the curriculum, classroom practice and provision, relationships and
partnerships and special initiatives and projects. Published resources, materials and
further training opportunities will be shared with participants.
Schools Diocese of Chichester
RE Primary Network
Friday 6 June 2025
FOR: Primary RE leaders.
This face-to-face day provides the opportunity for RE leaders to network; sharing their experiences and achievements from across the year. Part of the day will involve an in-depth look at pupil work with focused discussions, alongside targeted activities which will be pick up on themes taken from national reports, projects and materials.
Participants will have the opportunity to consider the ongoing challenges in developing high quality RE in their school.
Diocese of Chichester
Secondary RE HODS Network
Tuesday 1 July 2025
FOR: RE HODS and teachers
An invaluable day for CE HODS to reflect on national, CE and Diocesan reports and initiatives as well as share good practice.
Diocese of Chichester
New Chair of Governors: taking the chair next year
Tuesday 8 July 2025
Do you anticipate being elected to a chairing role?
This short course is designed to help all new and potential chairs, vice-chairs and committee chairs to explore what role as leaders and the responsibilities involved might involve, 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.