2nd December 2022
Advent Message from April Gold
It is Advent season again. The Church begins to wait and anticipate the coming of Jesus and in him God’s rescue plan for creation. Christmas is when we remember the birth of God as man but also the beginning of the kingdom that has no end, where we will again stand face to face with God and he will pronounce his creation as good. I know that in school, and in many homes the run up to Christmas is hardly a time of quiet waiting and reflection! There is so much to do! I hope that for the first time in a number of years Christmas in schools will be a bit more “normal”, but for many children our “normal” is new, different and often unsettling, and may bring challenges in terms of self-regulation. So my thoughts and prayers are with you as you reinstate some old traditions and give life to some new ones. I do hope that you will snatch a few minutes to stop and reflect on what the incarnation means for you. One of the most challenging prophetic hymns in the Bible is the speech of a young girl, Mary. We often see Mary as a young, compliant girl, who is just an obedient vessel to carry Jesus. But in her mixture of fear and amazement Mary roots herself in who God has been and promises to be using the scriptures that she has been taught. You can read the passage we call the Magnificat in Luke 1:46-55. Mary’s hymn is wonderfully depicted in this image by Ben Wildflower. The words “cast down the mighty, fill the hungry, lift the lowly, send the rich away”, resonate deeply at the moment. I love Ben’s depiction of Mary as one who foretells the defeat of death and evil by standing in victory with her foot on a skull and serpent. Her “yes” to God enables the advent of the Kingdom, which you embody daily in your collective mission to lead schools where wisdom, hope, community and dignity bring life in all its fullness to your communities. So as you go about the business of carol services, Christingles and Nativity plays, take a moment to reflect on the words of Mary to sustain you to the end of the term. Thank you for all you continue to do to bring hope and love to your communities, and we wish you a peaceful Christmas and a hopeful New Year.
April Gold
CPD Coming Up in January…
Christian Distinctiveness Deep Dive Short – CPD
Monday 09 January – 16.30 to 17.30 – online via Zoom
What does flourishing look like when we think about CPD? Ensuring staff at all levels understand the contribution they make to the school’s distinctive Christian vision and that all staff have opportunity to flourish and develop as practitioners within their distinct roles in school. Free for DSA Subscribers – book here
SIAMS IQ1 A Theologically-Rooted Christian Vision
Wednesday 11 January – 16.00 to 17.00 – online via Zoom
In light of the announcement of changes to the SIAMS Inspection Framework and the inspection process from September 2023, these Zoom sessions which will look at each of the new inspection questions in term and how you can prepare for an inspection from September 2023 onwards. Free for DSA Subscribers – book here
Early Career Teachers – RE Subject Knowledge Intent in the RE Curriculum
Thursday 12 January – 16.00 to 18.30 – online
Run by Leicester Diocese and led by Fiona Moss. This programme is essential for all new teachers, whether starting a teaching career in a CofE school or community school. The recent OFSTED RE research report and the ECT framework are clear on the essential nature of subject knowledge CPD. RE is often a subject that teachers feel less confident teaching and these sessions will improve both RE subject knowledge and confidence. There is also the opportunity to complete gap tasks for a short self-study course through Teach RE.
Cost: £40 for DSA subscribers (which includes a second session on 19 April on ‘Religion and Worldviews’) Book a place here
Headteachers Termly Briefing
Weds 18 January – 14.00 to 15.30 – online via Zoom
These termly sessions are to inform Headteachers of key updates from across the educational landscape and include updates from Ofsted, SIAMS, DfE, the Church of England, LAs and research bodies. In addition, there will be information on new resources, funding opportunities, charitable projects and the work of the Headteacher Reference and Advisory Group. Free for DSA Subscribers – book here
SIAMS IQ2 A Curriculum Rooted in Vision and Enhancing Spiritual Development
Wednesday 25 January – 16.00 to 17.00 – online via Zoom
In light of the announcement of changes to the SIAMS Inspection Framework and the inspection process from September 2023, these Zoom sessions which will look at each of the new inspection questions in term and how you can prepare for an inspection from September 2023 onwards. Free for DSA Subscribers – book here
CD Deep Dive Short – Wellbeing/Pastoral Care
Monday 30 January – 16.30 to 17.30 online via Zoom
What happens when it all gets a bit much? Ensuring a distinctive Christian ethos supports all in the school community in the ows and wows of life. Free for DSA Subscribers – book here
RE:Search Group
Tuesday 31 January – 16.30 to 17.30 online via Zoom
This group looks at how educational research can positively impact RE teaching in our schools. Joining this group will involve committing to read one research article/paper per half term and to join a half termly Zoom meeting to discuss the research’s merit and implications for teaching. Research will be focused on RE teaching or may be more broadly educational but applicable to RE teaching. In January’s session, John Semmens will be joining the group to explore Philosophy in KS2. Do still attend if you are secondary as we will be looking at how to lay philosophical foundations that can be built upon in KS3 as part of the discussion. To join book here.
SIAMS – The New 2023 Framework
Podcast: ‘Flourishing for All: SIAMS – Understanding the changes for 2023’
Dr Margaret James has recently been interviewed for the Foundation’s Called, Connected, Committed podcast. Margaret is the National Director of SIAMS and, for the five years before taking on this role, she was the Director of Education for the Diocese of Worcester. Margaret’s educational passion is SIAMS, gaining her Doctorate in Education entitled: ‘In the Midst of Church School Inspection’ in 2018. She has spent almost two decades involved in SIAMS leadership and is dedicated to ensuring that inspection makes a significant and positive contribution to the development of high-quality Church school education. Listen to the discussion of her reflections on the evolution of the SIAMs process in this podcast here.
Online Training – The 2023 SIAMS Framework for MAT Directors, CEOs and their Senior Leadership Teams
Friday 03 February 2023 – 09.30 – 12.30
The Church of England is offering training on the New SIAMS Framework to MAT Directors, CEOs and their senior teams. This is a unique opportunity to deepen their knowledge and understanding of SIAMS and the specific expectations that SIAMS has of trust leaders. This half-day on-line training led by Margaret James and David Tait will look at what is expected of MATs that have Church schools in them. It will cover the SIAMS Inspection Questions, and will address how the MATʼs commitment to foster and enhance Church schools’ Christian foundation will be explored through inspection. More information and registration can be found here.
Bringing Learning to Life at Ladbroke Church in Warwickshire
Ladbroke Church, recipients of a National Lottery Heritage Fund grant to repair their church and share their heritage, are offering FREE interactive lessons in schools about Rocks and Fossils and FREE visits to the church to see them in situ. Other topics such as maths, Christian prayer, codes and symbols can be covered too during visits to this beautiful Grade 1 listed church in the historic village of Ladbroke near Southam, Warwickshire. What they can offer your school…
- FREE downloadable resources including Teachers’ packs, lesson plans and worksheets
- Financial support to cover the cost of coach travel to Ladbroke for schools in the local area
- Real samples and artefacts that children can observe and handle
- The option of having a lesson brought to you, either in your local church or at your school.
And they support learning in…
- RE at KS1, Lower KS2 and Upper KS2 (in accordance with the Wawickshire SACRE syllabus)
- Science (Rocks) at KS2
For more information see the schools page on ladbrokeheritage.org.uk
Free End-of-Term Treat from Lyfta – Opera and Ballet in Helsinki
With budgets and purse strings stretched to breaking this year, many children won’t have the opportunity to experience festive outings to the cinema or theatre this year so Lyfta are offering a virtual theatre trip instead. Join a #LyftaLove lesson on 14th or 15th of December 2022 and travel to Helsinki in Finland to the Opera and Ballet for this exciting end of term treat. Along with other schools from across the UK, students will have the opportunity to see the spaces and learn about the careers of some of the fascinating people who work here. This 30-minute live lesson, relating to access and understanding of professional and orchestral performances is an excellent way to build cultural capital in the classroom. By joining this free live lesson you’ll be offering your students the chance to have an experience of the theatre that they may not otherwise have access to. Find out more and secure your place at impact.lyfta.com/live-lessons
Free Kindness Calendars for December from The British Red Cross
Children are encouraged to learn about and practise kindness this December with The SnowmanTM and The Snowdog in new kindness calendars from the British Red Cross. As the year comes to a close and we look forward to the future, this resource aims to support children to think about the importance of kindness and friendship in their lives. There are two versions of the full calendar available to download, one for 5-7 year olds and one for 7-11 year olds. They both include a range of fun activities featuring friends from The Snowman and The Snowdog to help children learn about kindness, the importance of having connections and friendships with others, and how to cope with change. Find them on The British Red Cross website here.
‘Gifts We Can All Give’ – Free Grinch Christmas Resource from Picture News
“Maybe Christmas doesn’t come from a store…” Given the difficult circumstances many are facing with the cost of living crisis, Picture News have decided to give children the chance to think about the things that really matter and what gifts we can give that don’t cost money but mean a lot to others. Sign up for the free resource here. (If you don’t want to sign up and just want the pdf – contact Joanne Evans by return and we’ll send it to you.)
Pop UK One Day Workshops Available for Next Term
Will You ‘Like’ Me?
A KS2 workshop focusing on social media, the internet and how they affect mental and emotional well-being. Ideal for Safer Internet Day – February 7th 2023 Information and sample songs here.
Easter In A Day
A KS2 enrichment day looking at the story of Easter. A cross-curricular experience for children involving RE and Music Information and sample songs here
Lift Up Your Voice
A one-day workshop looking at different ways children can protect their mental and emotional well-being. Information and sample songs here
Pearson National Teaching Awards – Nominations for 2023 Now Open
Don’t miss the opportunity to nominate a special teacher, colleague or friend for the 2023 Teaching Awards. The nominations are free and there are 16 categories to choose from, including individual, team and support staff awards. Show someone you appreciate their outstanding work and commitment and maybe they will be celebrated by the entire country on The One Show! The Pearson National Teaching Awards were set up to celebrate the impact of invaluable education within the UK. They are run by the Teaching Awards Trust and supported by Pearson and the BBC, they are considered as being the UK’s most prestigious celebration of transformational teaching. https://www.teachingawards.com/2023-overview/