The Diocesan Board of Education (DBE) is a statutory body with particular functions and responsibilities for church schools, RE and Collective Worship and education in the diocese more widely.
Our work reflects our national commitment to the Church of England’s vision for education ‘Deeply Christian, Serving the Common Good’. Our Church schools and academies are open to all and are inclusive, supporting and encouraging those of Christian faith, other faiths and those of no faith.
The Diocesan Board of Education meets four times a year and sets policy and strategy which the Education team implements. It has an agreed policy on academies and small schools, two major issues facing all dioceses. These are available to view:
DBE Academy Strategy (February 2025) | PDF
DBE Small Schools Strategy (February 2025) | PDF
The Church of England Education Office publishes resources and reports for school leaders, diocesan educations teams and others in the education sector. The latest reports are:
Embracing Change: Rural and Small Schools (March 2018) | PDF
Vision for Education: Deeply Christian, Serving the Common Good (Autumn 2016) | PDF
Flourishing for All: Anti-bullying Guidance for Church of England Schools (2024)
The DBE has to give consent to church schools which wish to become academies. Typically schools join or form a Multi Academy Trust (MAT). At present there are two stand-alone academies, a Diocesan MAT and four local church school-led MATs in this Diocese.
The DBE ratifies the appointment of all foundation governors, of which there are just under 300. Please visit our Foundation Governors page here | Weblink.
DBE Members
Download a full list of current members of the Diocesan Board of Education:
DBE membership | PDF
The current Board has been elected for a three-year period from January 2025 to December 2027.
There are still vacancies on the DBE and further elections are currently taking place.
Meeting dates
The DBE meets at least four times a year and members are also invited to join specific courses, conferences and occasional joint-sessions with other Dioceses or the Local Authority.
The DBE will be meeting on the following dates in 2025:
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Tuesday 23 September 2025 at 4.15pm at Debenham High School
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Tuesday 2 December 2025 at 1.30pm
Agendas will be posted here one week prior to the meeting. Meetings normally take place at the St Nicholas Centre, Cutler Street, Ipswich IP1 1UQ unless stated.
Previous Meetings
May 2025 | Agenda | PDF | Minutes ~ to follow
February 2025 | Agenda | PDF | Minutes | PDF
November 2024 | Agenda | PDF | Minutes | PDF
September 2024 | Agenda | PDF | Minutes | PDF
May 2024 | Agenda | PDF | Minutes | PDF
January 2024 | Agenda | PDF | Minutes | PDF
November 2023 | Agenda | PDF | Minutes | PDF
September 2023 | Agenda | PDF | Minutes | PDF
May 2023 | Agenda | PDF | Minutes | PDF
February 2023 | Agenda | PDF | Minutes | PDF
Older papers are available on request - please email Jacqui Studd.