Diocese of Southwell & Nottingham, Jubilee House, Westgate, Southwell, Nottinghamshire NG25 0JH

Tel. 01636 817200 email: mail@southwell.anglican.org

w w w . s o u t h w e l l . a n g l i c a n . o r g

Suggestions for ways to develop and build upon good

practice:

� Training - Check the Diocesan training guide Growing Disciples to find a course you could attend

relating to work in schools. Consider attending the

annual Big E day in October or the School Leaders

Conference in November

� Resources – Check out some of the great websites about schools ministry including the diocesan

website. Visit the Diocesan Resources Centre in

Jubilee House and maybe borrow a book on

education theory to read

� Visits – Go and visit another church school to network, see good practice and share ideas and

inspiration

� Professional review – ministerial review gives opportunity for reviewers to consider a clergy

person’s role in school and governors could consider

links with the church as part of headteacher

appraisal

� Diocesan advisers – Staff are on hand to offer you help and support, particularly our school advisers

Jane Lewis and Anne Lumb whose contact details

are available on the diocesan website.

Building an effective relationship between a clergyperson and a head teacher of a church school

JOINING TOGETHERIN THE TRANSFORMING

MISSION OF GOD

Living Worship, Growing Disciples & Seeking Justice

When life’stough for oneparty, theother helpsnew life tobreakthrough

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The vicar’sskills attheologicalreflectioncomplement myknowledge ofeducationtheory andchilddevelopment

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Support

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10 top tips for beginning tobuild a great relationship

We know that in our best church schools, akey factor that makes them vibrantcommunities that are ‘Joining Together in

the Transforming Mission of God’ is where there isa strong relationship between the clergy person orkey lay leader from the local parish church and thehead teacher.

Following a piece of research carried out by a DBEmember that involved interviewing a range of peopleinvolved in the life of the church and school in twelvedifferent settings, we have discovered that the followingthings make for a great partnership.

Five key areas we discovered are:

1. The importance of sharing a distinctive and embedded ethos, vision and identity.

2. A great relationship between the head teacher and the clergy person and time given to building one another up.

3. Time spent reflecting intentionally on how the relationship can truly benefit the mission and ethos of the school and the ministry of the church.

4. There is a mutuality of giving and receiving, genuine partnership.

5. Opportunities for reflecting together, learning to see everything from a Christian perspective and world view.

I want to feelthat the wholeresponsibilityfor the Christianethos andnature of theschool doesn’trest solely onmy shoulders.

Whilst some of these points may seem obvious, they areworth repeating.

1. Clergy need to see the church school as another congregation and a priority for mission and ministry. Headteachers need to value the unique contribution that a clergy person can bring to the ethos of the school.

2. Communicate well, talk to each other about the things that are important to you, respond when people contact you, mean what you say and act accordingly, try to be open, honest, constructive and friendly.

3. Support and care for one another and offer pastoral support to the school community.

4. Create a climate that allows each party to ask for what they want and that encourages invitations andoffers help in a mutual way.

5. Clergy can contribute to the school through collective worship, RE, being a governor and offering visits to the church building. Headteachers can contribute to the life of the parish by encouraging the involvement of children and families in key church services and events.

6. Build a sense of team and use different people’s skills, gifts and experiences.

7. Partner on projects that contribute or make a difference to your local community.

8. Develop trust so you can have honest conversations about how things are going. Never be afraid to model admitting when you’re wrong andapologising.

9. Head teachers will expect clergy to talk about God and faith and offer spiritual leadership, guidance and direction and to be asked if they would like prayer.

10. Education is about lifelong learning. Make the most of opportunities to access training, develop your knowledge and try new skills.

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Introduction

There’s a similarity in pressureand isolation between the headand vicar’s role.’‘

Two-way off-loading is reallyimportant tome. We receivemore than wegive and I wantto give backinnovatively.

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Feelingsupportedand cared forenables youto manage the to-do listbecause youknow you’revalued.

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It’s nevergoing to berewarding ifyourrelationshipwith the vicaris just ok.’‘

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