The Blackburn Diocesan Board of Education Annual Report and Accounts

Duties of the DBE Measure 1991 to promote or assist in the promotion of education in the diocese, being education which is consistent with the faith and practice of the Church of England; to promote or assist in the promotion of religious education and religious worship in schools in the diocese to advise the governors of such schools and trustees of church educational endowments and any other body or person concerned on any matter affecting church schools in the diocese;

Additional duties assigned by Synod Development of Youth and children's works across the diocese of Blackburn Support and develop \Christian spirituality in secular FE and HE institutions Provide chaplaincy support to church colleges and church based universities

The reach and extent of work with schools There are 191 CE schools in this diocese 165 of these are aided schools Diocesan CE and CE/Methodist schools educate over children This means there are more children are worshiping in schools than people in our churches 99% of our HTs, DHTs, HODRE are practicing Christian-very few other dioceses can compare 93% of our schools are good or outstanding according to OFSTED 97% of our schools are good or outstanding according to SIAMS

Interesting facts Nearly a third of all primary school children in Lancashire are taught in a Diocesan school 50% of primary school children in Ribble Valley, and over 40% of primary school children in Chorley and Flyde are taught in Diocesan schools Over half the primary schools in Lancaster district are Diocesan schools The Diocese is responsible for 21 of the 34 schools in Lancashire with fewer than 50 pupils 53% of pupils in schools of less than 120 in Lancashire are taught in Diocesan schools 8% of diocesan Schools converted to Academy (16.5% Nationally) 5% of diocesan primary schools have converted (14% Nationally) 60% of church secondary schools have converted (62% Nationally

Schools work New service level agreement has been rolled out –Curriculum, worship, governance, advice, training HT and DHT appointments Governance advice, training, appointments Admissions support and policy determination Academy advice, support, approvals –New policy and application

School building LCVAP allocations for mainstream schools Policy streamlining and review More transparent systems for schools Land and Trust deed work

Children’s Work Over 75 parishes across 14 deaneries resourced and supported with various projects ranging from ; -training days, -planning and setting up all age worship, -messy church planting, -holiday club planning -admission to communion before confirmation, -links with schools and parishes, -discussions with PCC's, -supporting volunteers, -safeguarding, -Child friendly church -creating resources for special events -baptism preparation

Ongoing groups and conferences Mission - planting 50 churches group Baptism preparation group Training- Bishop's Cert ( 1 year 24 sessions) Networks- Lancaster Leyland Blackburn. Children's committee -5 times a year Crossroads- planning group Messy Church Forums Children's work conference Hotpot -ecumenical conference for children's workers Paid Workers lunches Puppet ministry training day or similar Hothersall youth weekend. Explore together- cathedral and Lancaster Heads and clergy training days. Under 5's training Under 5 events All age training Lancashire show- prayer walk Holiday club writing Discussions around employing children and family workers Weekly resources for Children's groups Big Messy Events Spirituality Days

Youth Work Direct work with 24 parishes Established a Young Vocations Strategy Group Created Learn to Listen Videos for Guild Hall Event Youth Committee work Crossroads in Sheffield & on steering group Recruitment- 2 New Youth Worker/Chaplains Connect e-newsletters Meeting with other agencies/organisations including: –Scout Association –Churches Together in England Forum –National Young Vocations Strategy Group –Youth A Part –PAIS –Young Lancashire research –The Foxton Centre –University of Chester Schools work Sent a young representative to both Church of England Youth Council meetings

Events: Approx. 215 young people engaged in Christian events and residential experiences. (85 young people in 4 different camps/weekends and 130 young people in 3 different events) –Walsingham Youth Pilgrimage –Alive Mini (Mini Youth Camp in November) –XCEL –Young Leaders’ Weekend –Youth Camp – –South Africa –Sanctuary

Training/CPD: Provided training to over 200 people including: –Social media –Church Colleges Certificate –Hotpot Training Day –Ecumenical Chaplains Retreat Day at Tabor –Morning Training Day for youth leaders in Over Wyre group –Youth Team Retreats –Preston deanery synod –The Key in Lytham –The Key in Higher Walton –Leyland deanery clergy and readers

Summary position at the end of the year 2015 General Fund£ Reserves policy £ Free reserves above reserves policy £ (release of building capital and debt provision against a school building) Designated funds£ Restricted and Endowment Funds£

Having shared the work and financial activity of the board I move that: the summary Annual report and Financial Statements of the Diocesan Board of Education for the year ending 31 December, 2015, be received.