News and Updates
Issue 5 19/20
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In this edition:
- A message from Richard, Diocesan Director of Education
- A message from the new Chair of the Diocesan Board of Education
- New Guidance for Schools on Bereavement
- The New Enhanced Service Plan for 20/21
- The Biggest Assembly in the UK
- Resources to support RE, Music and Worship
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I know how much communication traffic has been going into schools. At the Diocese we didn’t want to add to that daily burden and have remained quiet over the holidays; however, as we are now all ‘back’ from Easter (knowing most of our 240 Church schools have been open) we thought a friendly and supportive communication from us may be welcomed.
I make a point at 8pm on a Thursday when we are all clapping to say loudly so neighbours can hear ‘for schools and all their staff too’. We are all immensely thankful for what the NHS are doing, they are amazing, but those keeping our schools open are equally important and the Board of Education and the members of the Education Team are immensely grateful for the work of all front-line staff. If there’s anything you need from us do not hesitate to be in touch with your named adviser or Kevin if it is about building matters. We hope this communication finds you well. A huge thank you to Bishop Helen-Ann, our new Chair of the DBE for her message.
God bless you all.
Canon Richard
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A message from Bishop Helen-Ann Hartley the new Chair of the Leeds Diocesan Board of Education
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Amongst the many questions I am being asked during this current time is this one that pops up with a high degree of frequency: ‘I bet they never prepared you for this when you went to ‘vicar school’?’ My response is diplomatic. The answer is of course, no, not in the strict sense. There were no modules on ‘what to do in the event of a pandemic’. I expect a similar comment could be made in the field of education too. We have all been affected by COVID-19, some of us more personally than others. Lives have been disrupted, and no amount of preparation could have equipped us adequately. While the country is on lockdown, schools in the majority of cases have had to remain open, and new ways of supporting teaching and learning have had to be mapped out. There are no easy paths through this, and the resilience of both teachers, support staff and pupils has been severely tested.
I am immensely grateful to all involved in education for the work you are doing at this time. I want to acknowledge each one of you, and to assure you of our ongoing support. As the new chair of the Diocesan Board of Education, I also want to pay tribute to my predecessor, Bishop Jonathan Gibbs for his work with the Board during the formation of our new Diocese. He has laid a very firm foundation, and I am delighted to continue this work. Thanks too are due to our Diocesan Director of Education, Richard Noake and his team. We are all committed to supporting the work of our Church schools because we believe passionately in the role of Church school education in our national life.
In my previous role, as a Bishop in the Anglican Church in New Zealand, I learnt much from listening to colleagues in the Diocese of Christchurch. The Canterbury region in New Zealand’s South Island has been severely affected by a whole series of earthquakes, particularly in 2010 and 2011. I recall attending a workshop delivered by Professor Peter O’Connor, Associate Professor of Critical Studies in Education at The University of Auckland. Peter and his team have, over a number of years, assisted in the rebuilding of Christchurch through the use of applied arts in schools. During one of his encounters with school-children in Christchurch, he encouraged the children to consider what ingredients might be needed for ‘good dreams’. A girl offered a ‘teaspoonful of light in the darkest tunnel’. Peter asked her how she would add it to the ‘bowl’ and she said: ‘we can sprinkle it in and then the light can go through everything else’. He described how as she ‘sprinkled’ it in, everyone, without exception, leaned into the bowl. ‘We could all see the light’, he reflected.
While our way ahead may remain unclear, my prayer is that we find time for glimpses of hope and light, much like the rainbows that I see on school gates when I’m out for a morning run. Thank you for all you are doing, and our prayers and our support are very much with you.
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NEW Bereavement Guidance for Schools
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Our Bereavement Guidance document for schools is now available via our website. The guidance offers practical and research based support as well as links to resources for schools whether you are dealing with bereavement in your school or supporting the wider community. Please don't forget that your named adviser and the local church will also be able to provide support.
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NEW Enhanced Service Plan 2020/21
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Despite the unusual circumstances schools are still having to prepare budgets for next academic year. Many of our schools include the cost of our Enhanced Service Plan into their budget annually. Following a number of requests from schools we are pleased to inform you that our
brochure of improvement support, training and networks is available
online, complete with costs, as is the
application form
for membership.
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This is a time of unprecedented challenge but it has also been a period of immense creativity, compassion and community in our schools. We would like to keep schools connected by collecting some of the amazing activities happening across the diocese. If you have stories or photos to share, please send them in via email to your named adviser and we will collate them for future issues.
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This Thursday- Biggest School Assembly
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The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, will deliver a message of hope to school pupils across the country in the first assembly at Oak National Academy.
The Archbishop’s address will be streamed through TES from 10am on Thursday 30 April 2020. It will then remain available on the
Oak National Academy website
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In addition to the assemblies, the Church of England is also partnering with Oak National Academy to provide separate weekly collective worship sessions led by schools, which will be accessible to those of all faiths and none. As well as the Archbishop, the first assembly will feature the Secretary of State for Education, Rt. Hon. Gavin Williamson MP.
Thursday’s event is expected to be the biggest school assembly ever held in the UK.
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We are aware that schools have been sent a constant stream of resources for use in school and for home learning. However, resources for Religious Education have been more scarce. Here are some resources you may find useful. Inclusion here does not mean we endorse these resources you may just find it helpful to have them in one place.
RE Support:
Primary:
BBC Bitesize
Daily - 20 minute lessons on a variety of subjects. The first primary RE programmes are to be on Thurs 30th April, covering topics on festivals and sacred writing.
Secondary:
BBC Bitesize
RE content for Key Stage 3 designed for pupils to use themselves: There are 22 new short films with accompanying information and activities:
Don't forget that
RE Today
is supporting NATRE by providing ALL teachers with resources which they can use and share with parents to support with home learning. FREE resources are added to this page on an ongoing basis so do keep checking the site
Music Resources:
Christian charity
PopUK.org
want to do something to help schools and families at this challenging time so they have a brand new PopUK song for use in school and for schools to send out to all the families to use at home for free!
Details here.
We have also been given permission to share the full music offered from the
Catholic Diocese of Leeds.
A team are producing daily singing lessons on You Tube on their channel Diocese of Leeds Schools Singing Programme.
An example is on You Tube
and the lessons are available to anyone logging on free of charge. They are not just sing a long but proper lessons including warm ups, rhythm and pitch training. It is accessible by children of all ages and whole families may enjoy getting together for 30mins singing a day.
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© Anglican Diocese of Leeds, 2019
Diocesan Education team
Church House, 17-19 York Place, Leeds, LS1 2EX
0113 200 0540
info.ed@leeds.anglican.org
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