On this page:
Support for schools
Support for Sharing Faith with Children and Households
Support for Schools
We hope that in schools you are receiving the support, guidance and advice that you need at this time. We recognise that these are times of significant challenge when you are needing to respond and react both emotionally and strategically in your professional roles. We have provided some updated schools information and guidance, which we hope will provide support in addition to local authority, government and health advice.
Please be assured that you are all in our thoughts and prayers. The Education Team at the Diocese of Gloucester are available to you all and please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any queries, questions or need a chat. Also, your Bishop’s Visitors are available via email. Thank you for all that you are, and all that you are doing to support and lead in our family of schools.
Supporting the Return to School
Please see the following document for advice about RE and Collective Worship as you return to school after the Summer holidays. Advice for RE and Collective Worship September 2020
Growing Together
Resources for this extraordinary and challenging time
Growing Together pages are a collection of resources for households (people of all ages) to explore or nurture Christian faith in their own time and at their own pace. The following pages have been written in direct response to the challenges brought by COVID 19.
Whilst these pages will deal with challenging themes like fear, anxiety and coping with change, it is not our intention to meet these topics head on or even to provide answers. Instead we offer these activities and games as tools that might gently prompt conversations about faith and offer hope.
Small Things Done with Great Love
Nothing Can Separate Us From the Love of God
Being-a-Channel-of-God’s-Peace
After Easter – The World Was Not the Same
Ideas and Resources for Schools at This Time
Many organisations and diocese at this time have created resources for schools. Here are some examples which you may find useful for supporting schools and home learning.
Collective Worship Online Resources
Additional Online Resources from the Church of England
Online Competition & Games Ideas
Supporting Children with Anxiety, Grief and Loss
These resources have been created especially for use during the Corona virus pandemic.
Fear How do we talk to our children about Corona virus? https://www.gloucester.anglican.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Fear-and-coronavirus.pdf
Grief How children grieve and how they can be supported. https://www.gloucester.anglican.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Grief-and-coronavirus.pdf
Breaking Sad News Click here for an example document about breaking sad news – letter to parents and carers
Helpful Organisations Click here for organisations that can help with advice
How Schools Can Help Support Bereaved Children How Schools Can Help Support Bereaved Children
Statement on Bereavement Statement on Bereavement
Jo Wetherall, Children and Families Officer shares a video about creating a play resource to help children talk about death.
Supporting Church of England School Governance During the Corona Virus Pandemic
NGA Guidance on Business Continuity and Virtual Meetings
DfE Governance Update April 2020
Government Admission Appeals Temporary New Arrangements 24/04/2020 – 31/01/2021 (Click here)
Governance and Foundation Appointments During Social Distancing and Isolation (Click here)
Support for Sharing Faith with Children and Households
Growing Together
These resources have been put together for families and households to explore aspects of living through Coronavirus and lockdown from a Christian faith perspective.
There are no daily or monthly challenges, just an open invitation through story, prayer and other related activities to engage with God during this time.
Whilst these pages will deal with difficult themes like fear, anxiety and coping with change, it is not our intention to meet these topics head on or even to provide answers. Instead we offer these activities and games as tools that might gently prompt conversations about faith and offer hope.
Nothing Can Separate Us From the Love of God
Being-a-Channel-of-God’s-Peace
After Easter – The World Was Not the Same
Living Well Together (Coming soon)
Calming the Storm (Coming soon)
Small Things Make a Big Difference (Coming soon)
Supporting Materials and Ideas for Family Worship
The following organisations are providing weekly materials for use at home on Sundays:
Roots who produce a whole programme of Sunday materials are offering it free for households: www.rootsontheweb.com/familiesathome26apr
(Please note that the link stays the same every week just change the date at the end).
Illustrated ministries have lots of downloadable material including colouring and other activities: https://illstrtdm.in/EasterWeek3
Bible Chat Mats are available from our colleagues in Bath and Wells: https://www.bathandwells.org.uk/supporting-children/youth-children/resources/bible-chat-mat/
Going for Growth The Church of England Website also has lots if useful links and: http://www.going4growth.com/home
Supporting Children with Anxiety, Grief and Loss
These resources have been created especially for use during the Corona virus pandemic.
There are three resources which complement each other;
Fear How do we talk to our children about Corona virus? Fear and coronavirus
Grief How children grieve and how they can be supported. Grief and coronavirus
Saying Goodbye Ideas for acknowledging our grief and saying goodbye to our loved ones: Saying goodbye and coronavirus
Order of Service Here is an order of service https://www.gloucester.anglican.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Order-of-Service-1.doc to celebrate and remember the life of someone who has died. Families or individuals of any age can use this at home if it is right for their circumstances. It is possible to type in the person’s name and print these sheets out.
