Our courses – and we run about forty every year focus around those aspects of education that are distinctive within a Church school setting.
Please see below for further details about our training provision, Forums and Events planned for the next academic year.
Also for information about CofE NPQs.
Courses 2024-2025
An overview of our training provision for the spring and summer terms 2025, by subject and date, is available below:
Courses by subject | PDF
Courses by date | PDF
Also available:
Courses for Governors | PDF
Courses on RE and CW | PDF
| New to church schools | November TBA, 4.00 - 5.00pm |
Courses for the spring term (all via Zoom unless stated)
January 2025
| New to Admissions | Thursday 9 January, 10.30 - 11.30am |
| Headteacher Recruitment | Monday 13 January, 4.00 - 5.30pm |
| Being a Governor | Tuesday 21 January, 4.00 - 5.30pm |
| New to Teaching RE | Wednesday 29 January, 9.30am - 12.00pm |
February 2025
| RE and Collective Worship for foundation governors | Thursday 6 February, 9.30am - 12.00pm |
| New to Church Schools | Thursday 6 February, 4.00 - 5.00pm |
| SIAMS: are you ready? | Tuesday 11 February, 9.30am - 3.00pm |
| Assessment for Governors | Thursday 27 February, 4.00 - 5.30pm |
March 2025
| Leading a Church School: Part 1 | Tuesday 4 March, 4.00 - 5.30pm |
| Spiritual development in primary schools | Wednesday 12 March, 9.30am - 12.00pm |
| Monitoring for governors | Tuesday 18 March, 4.00 - 5.30pm |
Inspirational CW - Tuesday 3 June
Effective HT PM - Thursday 19 June
Annual RE Subject Leader Update - Wednesday 25 June
Headteachers' Forum
The Forum is held termly and aims to provide an opportunity for Heads to meet to discuss issues and challenges in schools. This term's Forum was held on Monday 23 September 2024. Future dates for Heads' Forums in 2024-25 are:
- Tuesday 14 January 2025
- Thursday 1 May 2025
Forums are held 1.30 - 2.30pm via Zoom.
For any queries or to book on any of the above, please contact Jacqui Studd, tel:01473 298570.
Chairs of Governors Forum
The Forum is held termly and aims to provide an opportunity for Chairs to meet to discuss issues and challenges in schools. This term's Forum was held on Tuesday 26 November 2024. Future dates for Chairs' Forums in 2024-25 are:
- Thursday 20 March 2025
- Thursday 26 June 2025
Forums are held 4.00 - 5.00pm via Zoom.
For any queries or to book on any of the above, please contact Jacqui Studd, tel:01473 298570.
RE and Collective Worship Network
RE and CW leaders and teachers are invited to join this free termly network to discuss RE and Collective Worship - this term's network meeting was held on Wednesday 27 November. The date for the spring term's network will follow shortly. Any queries, please contact Jacqui Studd
Admissions Forum
This forum is usually held in the autumn and spring terms and provides an opportunity for those involved with school admissions to meet to discuss issues and be kept updated. The date for the next Admission Forum is:
- Thursday 16 January 2025
Forums are held 4.00 - 5.00pm via Zoom.
For any queries on admissions, please contact Jacqui Studd, tel:01473 298570.
Small Schools Forum
This Forum is aimed at Heads, Chairs and Governors in small schools and meets termly. This term's Forum was held on Monday 21 October. Future dates for the Small Schools Forums in 2024-25 are:
- Tuesday 25 February 2025
- Monday 9 June 2025.
Forums are held 4.00 - 5.00pm via Zoom.
For any queries or to book, please contact Jacqui Studd, tel:01473 298570.
Events 2024-2025
Annual Church School Leaders' Conference
A highlight of our year is our annual church school leaders’ conference for Headteachers, Deputies, Chairs and Governors. The date for this year's Conference was Wednesday 6 November 2024 at the Salvation Army, Stowmarket. We had a great line-up of speakers. Cathy Priest from the Faraday Institute https://www.faraday.cam.ac.uk/ spoke about “Integrating science and religion in the classroom”. The Faraday Institute for Science and Religion is a Cambridge-based interdisciplinary research institute improving public understanding of religious beliefs in relation to the sciences. Revd Dr Tom Wilson, Director at the St Philip’s Centre, Leicester https://www.stphilipscentre.co.uk/ spoke about “Refilling the Reservoir of Hope”. The St Philip’s Centre works with communities to help people to live well together, bringing people together and running courses and programmes with churches and schools. Given the divisions in society highlighted by the riots over the summer, the work of the centre has never been more important. Janita Betts, Headteacher of St John’s CEVAP, Ipswich spoke about the impact of coaching on leadership and teaching.
The date for next year's conference will follow shortly.
A new event, in partnership with Christian Aid, to raise awareness of their work and to help raise funds. It is an opportunity for pupils to come together in our beautiful cathedral to sing together and to share stories of how they are learning about global justice and becoming courageous advocates. The date for the next Big Spring Sing is Tuesday 1 April 2025 at 10.30am. The theme will be Easter Hope and further Information for schools wishing to be involved are available on the Christian Aid website: Big Spring Sing landing page - Christian Aid
We will be hosting a short online meeting on Tuesday 3 December at 3.45pm for all interested schools. For a link for this meeting, please contact Rachel Cutts, rachel.cutts@cofesuffolk.org
Diocesan Service of Celebration for Church Schools
Our annual service to celebrate the work of church schools will take place on Monday 23 June 2025 at the Cathedral, Bury St Edmunds at 1.30pm. Further details to follow.
For any queries about our courses or events, please contact Jacqui Studd.