Our partnership agreement allows schools and academies to access support from our Christian distinctiveness advisory team and purchase a range of services designed to meet your needs.

Each federation will continue to have a named Christian distinctiveness advisor (CDA) as a point of contact but with access to a range of specialties offered by the advisory team.

This year, we have enhanced our package for school federations to include;

• an initial remote meeting toward the start of the school year with their named CDA (CofE schools only)
• schools are entitled to a further half day visit per year. These can be used for contact and visits by any member of the adviser team. The nature and focus of these visits will be determined with the headteacher at the initial meeting. (CofE schools only)
• 1 x half day shared support or training which supports networking and sharing of good practice. We would welcome all schools in the federation, including community schools, to  join in here.
• Option to purchase additional support at £295.00 per half day or £525.00 for a full day

Support can be focused on any of the following areas and can take place virtually, in school or with a group of schools:

• Leadership support including pastoral care and leadership development at all levels
• Governance Support, Including; Foundation Governor Induction; The Role of A governor in a Church of England School; 
• RE Adviser Support
• SIAMS Support for  Governors and RE Lead / Principal
• Advice on Headteacher Recruitment for Governing Boards
• Access to subsidised Continuing Professional Development and Training including; ECT Training, Aspiring Leaders in Church Schools
• Collective Worship & Spirituality
• Bespoke training / support as agreed with your CDA

Our Commitment

Schools and Academies are entitled to expect the Education Team and Associates to:

• Deliver the service to a high professional standard;
• Respond promptly and courteously to requests for assistance;
• Act with discretion and safeguard confidentiality;
• Be responsive to individual schools and their distinctive ethos;
• Act with integrity and in accordance with Christian beliefs and values;
• Come alongside schools and leaders who are experiencing times of particular challenge;
• Listen to any feedback given, and use this appropriately;

Respond promptly and courteously to any complaints about the level of service provided.

*Central training courses and updates take place regularly throughout the Diocese. These include aspects relating to current developments and directives from the Church of England Education Office, governance, religious education, SIAMS, collective worship, SMSC and Christian values. These are open to all schools at a cost of £75.00 for those schools who are not in the SA.

Please complete the application form below.

Terms of Agreement

All schools and academies subscribing to this agreement are expected to:

• Keep the Education Team informed of the current situation in relation to the services required and developments at the school;

• Give adequate notice when requesting visits, training or meetings;

• Be available, given adequate notice, for meetings and/or visits;

• Pay due attention to advice given by the Education Team or our Associates;

• Give at least 5 working days’ notice to cancel or re-schedule a visit

• Act in the spirit of genuine partnership working.

In consideration of Lichfield Diocesan Board of Education (LDBE) providing the services in accordance with this agreement, the customer agrees to pay the fees and charges to LDBE. The LDBE will raise invoice(s) for services and the customer will pay such invoices within 28 days of the date of each invoice.

The customer may have the option to pay the invoices via direct debit in managed stages monthly in arrears subject to LDBE written agreement. If payment of the fees and charges are not paid by the due date, LDBE shall be entitled, without limiting any other rights it may have, to charge interest on the outstanding amount.

If either party (‘the defaulting party’) commits a breach of this agreement and has not remedied the breach to the satisfaction of the other party (the ‘complaining party’) within 30 days of the defaulting parties receipt of the complaining parties written notice specifying the breach and requesting it to be remedied; or the breach is not capable of remedy; or the breach is a fundamental breach of the agreement, then the complaining party may, without prejudice to any accrued rights or remedies under the agreement, terminate the agreement by notice in writing, such notice to have immediate effect.

This Agreement may also be terminated by LDBE with immediate effect if:

• the customer convenes a meeting of its creditors;

• the customer shall make a voluntary arrangement within Part 1 of the Insolvency Act 1986 or makes a proposal for any other composition scheme of arrangement with (or assignment for the benefit of) its creditors;

• the customer shall be unable to pay its debts within the meaning of section 123 of the Insolvency Act 1986;

• a trustee receiver, administrative receiver or similar officer is appointed in respect of all or any material part of the customer’s business or assets; or

• a meeting is convened for the purpose of considering a resolution, or other steps are taken for the winding up of the customer (otherwise than for the purpose of an amalgamation or reconstruction) or for the making of an administration order or other appointment of an administrator in respect of the customer.