WESTMINSTER DIOCESE EDUCATION SERVICE

Registered Charity Number 233699

WDES Bulletin 03/00

To: Chairmen of Governing Bodies of Roman Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Westminster

Cc: Headteachers

NB Items marked * do not apply to independent schools

1 June 2000

1 In service for those looking towards leadership in Catholic education

Headteachers may find it helpful in planning in service to note the dates for the following East Region courses

Ø For those aspiring to Headship: Tuesday 21 November - Friday 24 November 2000

Ø For those aspiring to Deputy Headship: Tuesday 16 January - Friday 19 January 2001

Both are four-day residential courses at All Saints Pastoral Centre, London Colney. The inclusive cost is £180. A bursary to cover that cost might be available to a primary teacher where the headteacher can make a good case for so doing. Circulars and application forms are enclosed.

Contact Joan Leith on 07944 168004 or e mail jleith@breathemail.net

2 Diocesan Twilight Course on Leadership in Catholic Education

The course planned for this term in St Anne's, London Colney has been cancelled due to the low number of applicants.

As in previous years the course will run in Vaughan House in the autumn term on Tuesday evenings from 5.00 - 7.30 starting on Tuesday 16 September. The cost including refreshments is £50.

Please make the enclosed information and application form available to teaching staff. Places are available for a maximum of 30 participants and are allocated on a first come first served basis.

(Contact Joan Leith on 07944 168004 or e mail jleith@breathemail.net )

3 Diocesan Conference for Secondary Deputy Headteachers

Following the cancellation of last years residential conference it is proposed to have a one day non residential conference at All Saints Pastoral Centre on Thursday 1 March 2001. Please note this date in advance since there needs to be good support for the conference to be viable. Information from secondary headteachers and deputies regarding topics and speakers they recommend for inclusion should be sent as early as possible to Joan Leith.

Contact Joan Leith on 07944 168004 or e mail jleith@breathemail.net

4 Performance Management and Threshold Assessment *

From 26 June onwards, local education authorities will be offering training for school governing bodies on Performance Management in Schools. The training package, devised by the DfEE, consists of three modules,

Ø Module 1 is aimed at the governing body. It focuses on the principles of performance management and the statutory duties of the governing body;

Ø Module 2 is aimed at the governors appointed by the governing body to review the headteacher's performance and deals with target setting and working with the external adviser;

Ø Module 3 is aimed at the governors involved in the review meeting and focuses on the skills needed rather than the knowledge.

Whilst it is not essential for appointed governors to attend all three modules, the DfEE advises that those who attend module 2 without prior knowledge are likely to encounter difficulty.

Further written guidance for governing bodies will issue from the DfEE in the coming weeks. Additional useful information is provided on the DfEE website at www.dfee.gov.uk/teachingreforms

Please note that these training modules will NOT be offered by the WDES. Governors are urged to take advantage of opportunities provided by the LEA.

(Contact Joan Leith on 07944 168004 or e mail jleith@breathemail.net )

*5 CES Handbooks for Clerks to Governing Bodies in Catholic Voluntary Aided Schools.

The long delayed handbook in A4 ring folder format is now undergoing final draft reading and the CES hopes to have it in schools in the near future.

(Contact Joan Leith on 07944 168004 or e mail jleith@breathemail.net )

6 Appointment of Staff to Catholic Schools *

A copy of the Education Board's guidance on appointments is enclosed. The full text can be viewed on the Diocesan website at http://atschool.eduweb.co.uk/ianbeck/appointments.pdf

Any comments or suggestions for improvements to ianbeck@rmplc.co.uk

7 CCRS Study Day

The next CCRS study day is on Saturday 23 September 2000 at Vaughan House. The topic is the Old Testament, and the session will begin at 10am. For teachers or catechists looking for an introductory understanding of Catholic teaching, this is an excellent point to commence the CCRS programme. Prior registration is preferable, but registrations are welcome on the day. Module fee is £15 (£6.50 study day only).

(Contact Moira Wilson on 020 7798 9006.)

8 CCRS Information

Information about forthcoming study days for the next two years is available on the CCRS webpage - look at it in 'RE and Catechesis' in the diocesan website. Also listed are the essay topics for the previous six modules as well as helpful information.

(Contact Moira Wilson on 020 7798 9006.)

9 Statement on Religious Education

The Bishops' Conference of England and Wales issued a Statement on Religious Education at the end of their Low Week meeting. The leaflet containing it is being printed currently and copies will be sent to each school. The text is available on the RE and Catechesis site at www.westminsterdiocese.org.uk/inder.htm

(For further information, contact Anthony Clark on 020 7798 9006.)

10 Levels of Attainment in Religious Education

At its recent AGM the National Board of Religious Inspectors and Advisers (NBRIA) approved Levels of Attainment in RE. These will be printed and circulated by the autumn though they can be downloaded now from the RE and Catechesis pages on the diocesan website. At this stage teachers may find it helpful to familiarise themselves with them. A pack is being prepared to introduce teachers on using them and guidance will be given by the diocese. It will be similar to a recent publication from the QCA entitled Non Statutory Guidance on RE. There are some aspects of this booklet which are not applicable to Catholic schools but other aspects are not in contradiction with Church teaching and the RE Curriculum Directory and which teachers may find useful - especially how levels of attainment might apply in RE.

(For further information contact Anthony Clark or your Area RE Adviser.)

11 RE Co-ordinators Study Days

The dates of the identical study days planned for primary RE coordinators are Thursday 15th June at Maria Assumpta and Tuesday 27th June at London Colney. The topic is Creative Activities in RE - Using Scripture and both days will be led by Margaret Cooling from the Stapleford Centre. Details and booking forms have already been circulated to all primary RE Coordinators.

(For further details contact Margaret Sheldon on 020 7798 9006.)

12 Letter from the Education Board. *

A letter from the Mgr. Barltrop to headteachers of maintained schools is enclosed.

13 Here I Am

The low week meeting of the Bishops' Conference approved the publication of the revised edition of Here I Am. It will be available in time for the autumn term. A number of study days are being offered in the areas to acquaint teachers with it. (Contact your area RE adviser for further details.)

14 Here I Am Cycle

All schools using Here I Am are strongly encouraged to start with the whole school cycle with the topic Myself in September this year. This means that on study days and in relation to schools helping each other, schools will be all be using the same topics. More details will be given at the RE Coordinator Study Days.

(For further details contact Margaret Sheldon on 020 7798 9006.)

15 Doctoral and Masters Theses on Catholic Education.

The Institute of Education Centre for Research and Development in Catholic Education has produced a bibliography of doctoral and masters theses and dissertations on Catholic education in the UK and Ireland. The bibliography is a valuable resource for teachers or governors considering or engaged in school based research into aspects of Catholic schooling.

(The catalogue number is ISBN 085473 5836 and it is available from the Education Bookshop, 20 Bedford Way, London WC1H 0AL Tel. 0207 6126050.)

16 Cafod's website

Have you visited Cafod's website recently ? They have put together resources for both primary and secondary schools that are directly relevant to sections of RE programmes, including a new six page summary for GCSE exam preparation. There is also material for heads and staff looking for assembly material. The address of the site is www.cafod.org.uk . (Cafod's phone number is 020 7733 7900.)

17 School websites.

There are now more schools with webpages linked to the diocesan site. The site itself continues to expand with various useful resources and links - but the richest resources are those related to yourselves! Do view the revised site - same address - http://www.westminsterdiocese.org.uk. If your school has a webpage, which is not listed, do send the address to aclark@westminsterdiocese.org.uk

18 Song of Creation

The concert at the Royal Festival Hall put on by St Augustine's School, Billington, entitled Song of Creation was impressive. Further concerts are being put on in Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds and York. Proceeds are for Cafod. The text and music is available to schools from Josef Weinberger Ltd on 020 7580 2828 or www.josef-weinberger.com

End.