On 8-10 October, venues across Bristol, including the Cathedral and St Mary Redcliffe, hosted the annual Anglican Academy and Secondary School Headteachers' conference. The event was centred on the transformational power of God’s love in schools and explored embracing change, building resilience, and learning from past achievements. Local speakers, including MP Carla Denyer, the Dean of Bristol the Very Revd Dr Mandy Ford, and Bishop of Swindon Neil Warwick, gave talks to attendees who had travelled from all parts of the country to be encouraged and share in community.
The vision of the conference is to provide a space where Headteachers can belong, be blessed, and be themselves through spending time with other leaders who experience similar challenges. Worship is at its heart, and participants have the opportunity to reflect, support each other, and gain fresh insights and renewed purpose as they head back to their schools.
On the final day, the Headteachers gathered for Eucharist at the Lord Mayor’s Chapel, where Bishop Neil delivered a reflection on living an abundant life and the importance of truly knowing those you are called to lead. He began by expressing gratitude for the Heads, emphasising his appreciation for their dedication, vision, and faithful leadership which shapes young people's lives for the better. He then spoke about the universal nature of God's love, highlighting how “God is not interested in a pure, small group of clean, normal, like-minded people” and how this “is really good news for us - in our schools and churches”. He went on to say that “The Good Shepherd's promise of abundant life gives us a vision of education that goes beyond exam results or league tables; it is about helping each child to discover their dignity and potential, and to live in the security of being known and loved”. He finished by thanking God for each person who attended and for the role they play in changing lives and encouraging children to flourish.
Elisabeth Gilpin, former Headteacher of St Mary Redcliffe and Temple School and one of the organisers of the event, said:
“The conference was a joy to help organise. I know from my past experience how busy and demanding the role of a secondary school headteacher is. It is wonderful to see Headteachers renewed, inspired, and empowered as they go back to their schools to continue the important mission of leading church secondary schools across our country. Bristol leaders and students were central to the event, with students and staff from St Mary Redcliffe and Temple school and Bristol Cathedral school leading some of the worship and sessions. As one participant said, Bristol did us proud.”
As the leaders return to their schools, we pray that they would be strengthened and encouraged in the vital roles they play.