The Schools Team and the Diocesan Board of Education and Training

There are currently some 83 church schools spread evenly across the Diocese maintained by the LEAs of Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Peterborough. There are some 13,500 children on roll. 82 of the schools are in the primary phase.

The Schools Team

The Director of Education and Training is a member of Cambridgeshire County Council Education, Libraries and Heritage Committee and its Schools Service Advisory Group. Those committees have a concern for all schools and school policy in the County. The Director also liaises regularly with officers of Norfolk and Peterborough LEAs and is consulted over a wide range of issues by the DfEE.

The Administrative Assistant/ PA is able to deal with day to day queries and is a first contact point for all general matters.

There is a full time R.E. Adviser. The Adviser works closely with schools, local authorities and parishes on a wide variety of issues concerning religious education, collective worship and syllabus matters. There are many RE and worship resources and artefacts available to schools and parishes.

The Adviser should be consulted on all inspection issues.

The Schools (Buildings and Finance) Officer works closely with Voluntary Aided Schools over building projects (see below) and administers the Ely Diocesan Schools Fund which currently bears 100% of all schools work including diocesan staff and office costs, as well as VA school buildings work.

The Diocesan Board of Education and Training

Under the leadership of the Diocesan Director of Education and Training and through its Board, the Diocese has a direct and statutory involvement in local and national education.

In the Diocese of Ely the Board has a very wide remit which includes all-age parish education and in-service clergy and lay training. The Board includes an elected membership and reports annually to the Diocesan Synod. Much of its day to day schools work is delegated to a sub-committee, the Schools Executive. Available, on request, is the current Schools Work Development Plan outlining current projects, plans and priorities. Much school support focuses on the needs of Church Schools for which the Board has a particular responsibility. Ongoing work includes direct support to schools and parishes over appointments; governance; Religious Education (R.E.); conferences; training events; annual Cathedral Activity Days; building matters; and work with local authorities and the DfEE; general advice and publications.

Who's Who List

Director of Education and Training

Canon Tim Elbourne

Schools RE Adviser

Dr Shirley Hall

Schools (Buildings & Finance) Officer

Mrs Cath Conlon

Administrative Assistant

Ms Sarah Sheffield

Diocesan Schools Team

Church Schools Handbook Links

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