DBE Senior Leaders’ Conference: Vision In Action Thursday 20 November | Park Royal Hotel, Stretton

Exploring the Practical Impact of your school’s Christian Vision

Thursday 20 November | Park Royal Hotel, Stretton

Our Senior Leaders’ Conference this year is Exploring the Practical Impact of Your School’s Christian Vision. Join us as we delve into how your school’s Christian Vision can be meaningfully lived out in everyday practice. The day is designed to help you and ease the burden by working together to demonstrate what effective, actionable vision looks like. Our goal is to support, equip and empower schools to bring your vision to life within your school community.

We are delighted to welcome our Keynote Speakers, Trevor Cooling, Emeritus Professor of Christian Education at Canterbury Christ Church University. In his session, Trevor will explore what the notion of a theologically rooted vision for Church of England schools might mean in practice.

Emily Norman, Head of Curriculum and Inclusion at the National Society for Education will present the Flourishing For All suite of guidance published earlier this year. Additionally, Emily will facilitate an afternoon workshop on the Strategic Approach to Racial Justice.

We will also be joined by The Bishop of Birkenhead, Julie Conalty.

There’s an opportunity to join two of our afternoon workshops. The workshops seek to offer insight into how leaders can practically apply their school's theologically rooted Christian vision to shape Church school improvement. A registration form with workshop options will be sent to registered delegates in due course. Delegates will choose their workshop preferences.

These sessions will be delivered by key leads to incorporate your Vision:

• A Strategic Approach to Racial Justice

  Delivered by Emily Norman: Head of Curriculum and Inclusion at the National Society for Education

  Racial justice is a national priority. This workshop helps schools understand how to create a culture that celebrates diversity, embraces differences, and reduces discrimination—making inclusion not an add-on, but an integral part of school life.

• Vision in Action: Responding to Disadvantage

  Delivered by Joanne Powell, Headteacher, Lostock Gralam CE Primary School

  In this workshop, Jo will reflect on the school’s journey with how challenging circumstances have influenced and shaped their vision. She will share the ways in which the school has adapted to support both families and the wider community, including the development of their social supermarket, as a practical and compassionate response to the needs of families.

• Pupils’ Research - Driving the Vision Forward

  Delivered by Kate Appleby: Headteacher, Warmingham CE Primary School

  Kate and a small group of pupils from the school, will be sharing their experience of how pupil-led research gives a unique opportunity for young voices to shape understanding around vision, advocacy and spirituality. Their work in this area has had great impact on school staff and pupils. They can begin to see how these aspects of school life connect to a wider vision.  This work has been transformative in  finding ways to make this vision clear and meaningful for all of the community.

Venue: Park Royal Hotel, Stretton, WA4 4NS

Date: Thursday 20 November, 2025

Time: 9:00am to 3:45pm

Investment: Includes a delicious hot buffet and refreshments throughout the day. Family of Schools member £225 - bundle discounts available. Includes refreshments and a delicious lunch.

Bundles available, follow the link below for options and to book your place.

Need more information? Contact susan.kemp@chester.anglican.org.