An Inspiring Day at our DBE Senior Leaders’ Conference: Vision in Action
Vision In Action: Exploring the Practical Impact of your School’s Christian Vision
The DBE hosted its Senior Leaders’ Conference at the Park Royal Hotel, welcoming over 50 senior leaders from our church schools. The event was a success encouraging and giving schools inspiration and thoughts as to what effective actionable Christian vision looks like.
One of the highlights was a presentation by students from Woodchurch High School, on Growing Faith Through Creation. They talked about their school farm and how working on the farm helps students and staff see that faith grows when we look after what God has made. Their articulate and motivating contributions gave our attendees an insight into their work and left a lasting impression on all.
The conference began with an uplifting video from pupils from Frodsham CE Primary school talking about living out their school vision and their ethos group. Canon Chris Penn, Chester Diocesan Director of Education, opened the event with Bishop of Birkenhead, Revd Julie Conalty, opening with prayer.
Our Keynote speaker, Trevor Cooling, Emeritus Professor of Christian Education, explored what the notion of a theologically rooted vision for Church of England schools might mean in practice.
Presentations continued with Emily Norman, Head of Curriculum and Inclusion at the National Society for Education who gave us an update with the Flourishing For All suite of guidance. Emily stayed with us and facilitated one of our workshops, helping schools understand how to create a culture that celebrates diversity, embracing differences and reducing discrimination.
Our other workshops were delivered by two of our headteachers: Jo Powell, headteacher from Lostock Gralam CE Primary reflected on the school’s journey with how challenging circumstances have influenced shaped their vision and how this has impacted on the entire school community and what this looks like. Principal from Warmingham CE Primary, Kate Appleby, together with a group of pupils, shared how their pupil-led research gives an opportunity for young voices to shape understanding around vision, advocacy and spirituality.
Canon Chris Penn reflected on the day, “This was such an important conference in reinforcing the relevance of our school’s Christian Vision and living out in all aspects each and every day”.