Headteachers, teachers, governors and clergy from across the Diocese gathered at York Racecourse on Wednesday 2nd July for the annual Diocesan Education Conference. Archbishop Sentamu introduced the conference, and thanked Dr Ann Lees for her work as Director of Education, at her last conference in the role.

The theme of the conference, ‘the Spirited School: aspiration and collaboration’, was introduced by the Very Revd Vivienne Faull, Dean of York. She looked at the theological importance of working collaboratively, reminding us that with the doctrine of the Trinity, the crucial reason for working collaboratively is that it reflects what God is like. She highlighted three aspects of the Trinity that Christian schools can identify with: living in diversity, building each other up in love, and being bound together dynamically.

The Revd Nigel Genders, Chief Education Officer for the Church of England and General Secretary of the National Society, spoke on ‘Partnership and Collaboration in the Educational Landscape’. He spoke about the motives of the educational landscape: the economic motives that governments have held since 1997, and contrasted that with the motive of Christian educators, who work for the flourishing of every child. Political parties have a short term view. Schools, dioceses and the National Society need to work together to focus attention on the longer term, on values and ethos in education. In the landscape of academies, we need not independence, but an interdependent school system. Nigel took us back to Vivienne’s talk, reminding us that interdependence, partnership and collaboration is at the heart of our faith.

Brayton CE Primary School led the conference’s act of worship, around the theme of ‘A spirit-filled school’, showing how God breathes life into their school. There's a video of this below.

Fiona Moss from RE Today led a presentation on the theme of commitment. Students from Archbishop Sentamu Academy spoke about research they did to see what students in their school were committed to, and students from All Saints Ingleby Barwick Academy spoke about how art in their school is at the heart of reflecting spirituality. Students from Manor Church of England Academy shared poetry they’d written, and students from Archbishop Holgate’s Academy spoke about their school values of compassion, justice, trust and forgiveness.

The conference was drawn to a close by Prof Barry Hymer, speaking on ‘Travelling far, not fast: Nurturing the spirit of collaborative enquiry’, using the concept of philosophy for children.

More pictures from the day can be found here.