A day to celebrate and welcome new headteachers into the Church school family of the Diocese of Leicester was recently held by the Diocesan Board of Education.
School leaders from Great Bowden CofE Academy, Croft CofE Primary School, Bottesford CofE Primary, and Barwell CofE Academy came together for induction training and networking, followed by a commissioning service and shared meal.
The new headteachers and DBE colleagues were joined by Bishop Saju who commissioned, encouraged and prayed for each of the leaders.
The training helps school leaders to unpack what leading a Church school is all about and gives them time to connect with colleagues and share best practice.
During the commissioning, the new headteachers made a commitment to the work of the diocese and the wider Church’s mission. As part of the service, they were presented with a Bible and a cross.
Education is part of the Church’s mission in sharing the Good News of Jesus. In the Diocese of Leicester, we are committed to becoming Shaped by God in our lives and communities. It recognises that all of life presents opportunities for developing and deepening our love and knowledge of God and others.
As a Headteacher of a Church School you have a special responsibility to ensure that everyone in your school is valued and recognised as being a child of God, uniquely gifted by God. You are also responsible for ensuring the school is rooted in Christian values, principles and beliefs, and that worship and religious education are at the centre of the life and work of the school.
(From the commissioning service.)
Carolyn Shoyer, Diocesan Director of Education, said: “Welcoming new school leaders to the family of Church schools in the Diocese of Leicester is a great privilege. Supporting those new to leadership is a vital part of our work as a DBE staff team.”
Together, the group reflected on the passage from John’s gospel where Thomas shared his doubt and then how Jesus answered those doubts – and what we might learn about leading through vulnerability and conflict.
The Incredulity of Saint Thomas, Caravaggio
Tracey Manns, Diocesan Deputy Director of Education, said it was a lovely gathering with themes from conversations around how essential it is to take time out to stop and think.
“We also focused on thinking about how society often looks at the external things, but God looks at the heart, and how this might impact what we focus on in school and where we lead from,” she added.
Speaking about the service, and the importance of the headteacher role, Bishop Saju said: “It was a joy to commission the new Headteachers and leaders of Great Bowden CofE Academy, Croft CofE Primary School, Bottesford CofE Primary, and Barwell CofE Academy, giving thanks for the teachers, staff, children and their households whose daily work shapes lives and builds communities.
“As leaders of Church schools, they carry a sacred trust: to ensure every child is seen and cherished as a child of God, uniquely gifted. Rooted in Christian values, their vocation is to place worship and religious education at the heart of school life, and to lead with courage, compassion and hope. In line with the Church of England’s vision for education, this commissioning affirmed their calling to foster wisdom, dignity, and spiritual flourishing - where learning becomes an act of worship and every child is nurtured to realise their God-given potential.”