This one-day conference is an opportunity for anybody involved in the governance of a Church of England school to improve their understanding.
This conference is for anybody involved in governance at any Church of England school – including governors of VC/VA/foundation schools, academy directors or governance professionals and members of local governing bodies in academy schools. It will be led by members of our diocesan education team including the Diocesan Director of Education Carrie Prior and the school governance advisor Richard Hopkins. They will lead sessions on:
· The uniqueness of Church school governance
· The impact of governance on SEND pupils
· How to navigate difficult challenges
There will also be a series of short ‘workshop’ presentations led by representatives of some of our diocesan schools and trusts. These will include:
· How to question leaders effectively
· Monitoring and evaluating the impact of the Christian vision
· Strategic planning for governors
By the end of the conference delegates should be more confident about what it means to be responsible for governance in a Church school, and have a better understanding of the peculiarities, joys and challenges that arise only in Church schools. They should have also had an opportunity to meet governors from other Church schools and to share and learn from good practice across the Diocese of Chelmsford.
Location: St Cedds Hall, Chapter House, Cathedral Walk, Chelmsford, CM1 1NX
Duration: 5 Hours
Suitable for: Anybody involved in the governance of a Church of England school
Facilitator: Richard Hopkins
Dates:
25 April 2026, 10am - 3pm
Course facilitator
Richard joined the education team in September 2020 after ten years in two consecutive headships in Church of England primary schools in the Diocese of Chelmsford. Richard has also served as a member of the Diocesan Board of Education and a lead inspector for Ofsted in the East of England.
Richard lives in the north of the diocese where he has served in his local parish church as a PCC member, church warden and authorised local preacher.
Before becoming a teacher, Richard studied and worked in economics and finance where he developed an interest in the causes of economic disadvantage and their solutions. Richard chose to work in schools in the most economically deprived parts of the diocese in order to develop his understanding of the distinctive role that Church of England schools can play in reducing disadvantage and promoting opportunity and justice. He hopes to continue to promote this agenda in his diocesan adviser role.
Richard is married with four children. He enjoys spending time with his greyhound and is a season ticket holder at Colchester United Football Club.
Cost
Free of charge.
Dates
25 April 2026, 10am - 3pm
Booking
Please click on the link below to reserve your place at the conference.
Register for 25th April
12 May 2026