Letter from the Director of Education
Dear Colleagues,
As we step into the new academic year, I hope you feel refreshed for the term ahead and energised for taking each opportunity to make a difference for your schools, pupils and communities.
All of us at LDBS extend a particular welcome to those taking on new leadership roles this September; we look forward to developing our partnership with you during the year.
It is always lovely to start the year with some ‘congratulations’, so it’s a particular pleasure to congratulate the thousands of Year 11 and Year 13 students from LDBS secondary schools who achieved a stellar set of exam results this summer, and the hundreds of committed staff who made sure they were well prepared. Congratulations also to Ealing Fields Church of England High School which has officially taken on a Church of England designation, to St Mary’s and St John’s School, Hendon, which has joined the Wren Academies Trust and to the Saints Partnership which is a formal federation between St Paul’s School, Winchmore Hill and St Andrew’s School, Enfield Town.
We are more conscious than ever of the responsibility that we share with you for the effective stewardship of Church of England education across London. Church of England schools have made, and continue to make, a huge contribution to the overall strength of the education sector in London. These are challenging times for many schools, but we are looking forward to working this year together with school leaders, governors and clergy to make sure that Church of England education remains at the heart of education in London.
School Effectiveness Partners
In recognition of the importance of the partnership between Church schools and LDBS for the overall effective stewardship of Church of England education we have updated the job title of our ‘Primary Link Advisers’ to ‘School Effectiveness Partners’. After many years this change will take some getting used to, for us all!
School Governors and Academy Directors play such a huge role in school effectiveness, so this year your School Effectiveness Partner will invite the Chair of Governors/ Directors to join part of their visit alongside the school leader. Please contact your School Effectiveness Partner if you would like more information about this.
LDBS dates for your diary
Navigating the universal National RISE Priorities so that pupils’ benefit on-line briefing, Thursday 23 October 2025, 16.00-17.00
The government has made it clear that their priorities for schools are attainment (especially English and maths), inclusive mainstream, Reception-year quality and attendance. In this on-line briefing for school leaders and governors we will explore the universal RISE team service, the implications for schools, and what you can expect from LDBS. All school leaders and governors are welcome to reserve places here.
LDBS annual service at St Paul’s Cathedral, Thursday 12 February 2026, 14.00-14.45
We would love for every Church school to join us at the service. This year we are delighted to be welcoming Ben Lindsay OBE to speak on the theme of Reconciliation. There are up to 10 places for each school - book here.
LDBS Day Conference, Wednesday 11 March 2026 Educational Abundance: A day to explore our role as the stewards of CofE schools
We have been gifted a wonderful inheritance in the quality of Church of England schools in London, and the contribution that many have made to their communities for generations. Our ‘season’ is not unique in its challenges and opportunities – join us for a stimulating day to consider our role as stewards and how we can, together, do the best we can with the resources that are available to us to ensure that Church of England schools remain at the heart of education in London. Speakers will include Andy Wolfe, Executive Director of Education at the National Society and Rob Wickham, former Bishop of Edmonton and LDBS Chair, and now CEO of the Church Urban Fund. Book here.
Thursday 04 June 2026 – hold the date!
This year LDBS is partnering with ‘AI in Education’ and dioceses across the South-East to consider the role that AI is increasingly playing in the way we educate children and young people. It’s not too late to join our working group of ‘early adopter’ schools which will meet through the year to share best practice and identify and consider issues that are more effectively tackled together. This work will culminate in a conference on Thursday 04 June at which Sir Anthony Sheldon will give a key-note speech. Booking details for the conference will be released later this term, contact Abigail Chand now for more information about joining the working group.
School Condition Projects for VA schools
VA schools will know that last year was a transition year for the School Condition Allowance (SCA) programme, as we moved to bring annual condition surveys in-house. I’m pleased to let you know that we have now moved fully to a rolling-programme whereby priority projects will be approved throughout the year rather than once a year, meaning that more projects will be actioned more quickly. As we made this transition last year there was a long delay in some schools receiving a copy of their survey. I’m sorry for any inconvenience that this caused. As we move forward, schools should expect to receive a copy of their Annual Condition Survey and confirmation of any priority projects that can be progressed under the SCA programme within ten weeks of the initial survey.
Developing People Programmes
We are delighted to be continuing our partnership with the National Society as the NPQ delivery partner for London. Registration will formally open on 09 September, but numbers are limited again this year so we recommend that you register now for the early bird. There is more information at the end of this letter. We are also delighted to be extending our partnership with the National Society and UCL as an Early Career Framework delivery partner. If your school already works with the LDBS SCITT, or if you would be interested in funding out more about the LDBS ECF cohort contact Saskia Rossi.
Yours sincerely,
Penny Roberts
Diocesan Director of Education