Training and Events

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.

Also for information about CofE NPQs.

Courses 2025-2026

An overview of our training provision for the academic year, by subject and date, is available below:

Courses by subject | PDF

Courses by date | PDF

Also available:

Courses for Governors (Governor training is free) | PDF

Courses on RE and CW | PDF

Courses in the autumn term (all via Zoom unless stated)

September 2025

October 2025

November 2025

Forums/Networks 2025-2026

Headteachers' Forum

The Forum is held termly and aims to provide an opportunity for Heads to meet to discuss issues and challenges in schools.  The Heads' Forum will take place on the following dates in the next academic year, all at 1.30pm via Zoom:

• Wednesday 24 September 2025
• Tuesday 20 January 2026
• Thursday 30 April 2026

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. The Chairs' Forum will take place on the following dates in the next academic year, all at 4.00pm via Zoom:

• Monday 17 November 2025
• Thursday 19 March 2026
• Tuesday 23 June 2026

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.The next network meeting will be in the autumn term. Date to follow.

For 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 Admissions Forum will take place on the following dates in the next academic year, all at 4pm via Zoom:

• Thursday 25 September 2025
• Thursday 8 January 2026.

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.  The Small Schools Forum will take place on the following dates in the next academic year, all at 4.00pm via Zoom:

• Monday 20 October 2025
• Tuesday 24 February 2026
• Thursday 21 May 2026

For any queries regarding Forums or training or to book, please contact Jacqui Studd, tel:01473 298570.

Events 2025-2026

Annual Church School Leaders' Conference

The date for this year's conference is Thursday 13 November 2025 at Ip-City, Ipswich. Further details to follow.

A highlight of our year is our annual church school leaders’ conference for Headteachers, Deputies, Chairs and Governors. Last year's Conference held on Wednesday 6 November 2024 at the Salvation Army, Stowmarket 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.

Big Spring Sing

This is 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 Big Spring Sing took place on Tuesday 1 April 2025 and over 500 pupils and adults from 15 church primary schools filled the cathedral. This special service was organised by the Diocesan education team in partnership with Christian Aid. The theme was Easter hope. The children sang songs specially commissioned by Christian Aid to raise awareness of issues of global justice. Pupils from six of the schools also spoke how they are taking action to tackle injustice, some leading prayers and some singing a special rap! Alex Cassidy from Christian Aid spoke about the charity’s vital work in creating a world where everyone can live a full life, free from poverty. Founded 80 years ago in the aftermath of the Second World War, Christian Aid continues to provide long term development support as well as emergency relief across the world. 

Further information about the Big Sing is available from: Big Spring Sing landing page - Christian Aid.  The date for next year's Big Sing will follow shortly. For any queries, please contact Rachel Cutts, rachel.cutts@cofesuffolk.org or Jacqui Studd, jacqui.studd@cofesuffolk.org 

Diocesan Service of Celebration for Church Schools 

Our annual service to celebrate the work of church schools took place on Monday 23 June 2025 at the Cathedral, Bury St Edmunds. The theme for this year's service was Community: Living well together.  Many thanks to all the pupils who took part and to iSingPop who led the singing. iSingPop had led workshops in schools before the service to teach the children the songs. It was a joyful occasion. For more information about iSingPop please see https://www.isingpop.org/schools 

For any queries about our courses or events, please contact Jacqui Studd.