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How does LDBS support your school?
Core Service Summary 2023-2024

Download this information as a PDF presentation here.

How does LDBS supports schools?

LDBS support schools in three ways:

  • Advocacy: LDBS represents school concerns, promotes the interests of church schools and highlights the difference they make to the education system.
  • Collaboration: the network through which individual schools, partnerships,
    federations and trusts can work together to strengthen education.
  • School Support: bespoke support to individual schools so that they can provide the best possible education for students.

What does it cost?

LDBS core services and support are essential for Church schools and represent excellent value. The fee that schools pay is heavily subsidised by LDBS investment income and a grant from the Diocese of London. Maintained schools pay annually in April. Academies pay annually in September. The January census is used to calculate pupil numbers. Prices frozen for 2023-2024 are:

  • £11.85 per pupil for the first 500 pupils on roll
  • £6.99 per pupil for the next 500 pupils on roll
  • £3.95 per pupil thereafter

Schools without a Church of England designation are welcome to join our network with affiliate membership.

  • £7.86 per pupil for the first 500 pupils on roll
  • £4.80 per pupil for the next 500 pupils on roll
  • £2.60 per pupil thereafter

This information is also available in the downloadable PDF here

 

What support is offered in different areas?

Jump down the page for a brief summary on:

  • School leadership support and development
  • Church school character
  • Global Majority Leadership Development
  • People and Culture
  • Staff Recruitment and Selection
  • Governance and admissions
  • Property
  • Communications

You can also find training options via our sister organisation Grow.

Full details are available in the downloadable PDF here.

School leadership support and development

  • LDBS advocates for school leaders with wider stakeholders.
  • induction, networking and development groups for school leaders. There is an annual Headteacher Conference, and an Outstanding SCITT.
  • delivers regular school development visits. Attendance at Ofsted and HMI feedback following inspection. Further bespoke support on request.
  • Full details are available in the downloadable PDF here.

Church school character

Advocacy: LDBS represents London Church schools to the national SIAMS team, makes SACRE appointments and nominates to LA Scrutiny Committees.

Collaboration:

  • RE: training, curriculum and resources for RE leaders. InspiREd RE programme.
  • Collective Worship: calendar, resources and events at St Pauls and the Royal Albert Hall.
  • Leadership development: leadership visits, networks for chaplains, clergy and Heads. SIAMS briefings.

School Support:

  • Preparing for SIAMS: visits before inspection, and with you for feedback after inspection.
  • Ongoing support: mid-cycle SIAMS healthcheck, annual observation of Collective Worship and SIAMS, RE, Collective Worship and chaplaincy development. Bespoke intervention to navigate
    disagreements between schools and churches.

 

Full details are available in the downloadable PDF here.

Global Majority Leadership Development

  • Advocacy: Monitoring recruitment patterns, and growing advocacy for global majority leadership.
  • Collaboration: Leaders Like Us national programme, and leadership development programme for aspiring leaders with a global majority heritage.
  • School Support: Mentoring support for newly appointed leaders with a global majority heritage.

 

Full details are available in the downloadable PDF here.

 

People and Culture

 

Advocacy: LDBS advocates for Church schools and staff with Unions and other bodies.

 

Collaboration:

  • Template contracts and policies.
  • Specialist HR support for partnerships and academisation.
  • Regular personnel updates.
  • School Business Manager conferences, advice about the Living London Wage and accreditation process, and mediation services available from GROW.

 

Full details are available in the downloadable PDF here.

 

 

School Support:

  • Unlimited LDBS general phone and email advice.
  • Up to 90 minutes legal advice in relation to any personnel matter.
  • GROW supports all aspects of employee relations support organisational change (including TUPE, contracts, payroll), performance/complaints (including hearings preparation/attendance), and appraisal, health and wellbeing support.

 

Full details are available in the downloadable PDF here.

 

Staff Recruitment and Selection

 

Advocacy: Strategic approach to leadership appointments. ECT recruitment initiatives.

 

Collaboration: Brokering and monitoring of Partnerships, Federations and MATs, advice about Visa and QTS requirements for overseas teachers, template job descriptions.

 

School Support: Advising and attending senior leadership recruitment. Discounts on national advertising, applications, candidate social media search, psychometric testing and DBS countersigning.

Full details are available in the downloadable PDF here.

 

 

Governance and admissions

 

Advocacy: Promoting governance across diverse networks, contributing to Church and admissions networks, and raising the
profile of Church schools.

 

Collaboration:

  • Governor recruitment and retention: template recruitment documents, induction
    training, new Chair mentoring and clerks’ network.
  • Governance development: policy templates, template policy builders and training. Specialist support for reconstitution of Boards entering Federations and MATs.

 

School Support:

  • Core support and training: a bespoke training session for your Board. LDBS is the Diocesan Corporate Member for MATs. Further bespoke training on request.
  • Specialist advice: statutory advice prior to admissions consultations, and up to 90
    minutes telephone advice in relations to pupils at risk of exclusion. External governance reviews.

 

Full details are available in the downloadable PDF here.

 

Property

 

Advocacy: Maximising school buildings and the real estate portfolio to meet the needs of LDBS and Church schools in London. Developing a Zero Carbon strategy for schools and buildings.

 

Collaboration: Liaising with Local Authorities over statutory title transfers and land transfers.

 

School Support: Project management of school building projects and redevelopments.

 

Full details are available in the downloadable PDF here.

 

Communications

 

  • Advocacy: Advocating for Church schools with the DfE, Unions, LAs and Regional Directors, analysing data, providing public summaries and representing your interests. Weekly bulletin.
  • Collaboration: Upskilling and sharing best practice.
  • School Support: Up to 90 minutes crisis communications or stakeholder management advice. Further specialist support with communications, brand and marketing also available.

Full details are available in the downloadable PDF here.