Religious Education

Jen Jenkins appointed as RE and Spirituality Officer for Coventry Diocesan Board of Education from 1 October 2020

Jen, a former Assistant Headteacher and RE & English Lead at St Paul's CofE Primary School, Nuneaton, is also RE Facilitator for Coventry & Warwickshire working on behalf of both local authorities and SACREs. She was most recently in post as ICON Schools Project Manager for Coventry Cathedral, leading a growing network of schools in their peace building and reconciliation work. Jen brings a wealth of experience to the role of RE and Spirituality Officer and her recent skills and expertise in peace-building and reconciliation are beneficial to all our schools, located as they are within a diocese known for championing reconciliation. She is experienced in delivering good quality CPD for teachers and developing programmes and activities for pupils that will benefit their spiritual development.

Jen has already supported the production of the 'Take Heart' collective worship resources, 'Adventuring with God' holiday club, and 'Black Lives Matter' schools resources during a secondment to the DBE over the summer months. These resources have been well received within our Diocese and beyond. Jen will to continue to develop Collective Worship resources for schools and support DBE schools to further develop their Christian Distinctiveness to achieve our vision that every child in a DBE school will have an opportunity for a life changing encounter with Jesus.

Jen says, 'I hope to support and inspire church schools as they seek to develop the character and spirituality of their pupils, creating school environments in which both children and adults can flourish and in which RE and Collective Worship contribute to the healthy heartbeat of a church school. I would like to raise the ceiling on what our children and young people can do and the inspiring people they can become with the right nurturing and opportunities. I enjoy helping schools to understand national developments within the field of RE and spiritual development, as well as ensuring teachers and subject leaders are trained in all the latest thinking and research so that RE can thrive as a subject within our church schools.'

Please join me in welcoming Jen to the DBE and praying for her gifts to be put to good use as we worship God, make new disciples and transform communities through our schools.

April Gold, Diocesan Director of Education.