Diocese of Chichester

Federation celebrated at special service

John Barnes was recently commissioned as Head of School at All Saints & St Richard’s Church of England Primary School at a special service in the Parish Church (19 September).

The school is part of the recently formed Sussex Spires Federation. The federation launched in March 2019 and brings together All Saints & St Richard’s and Herstmonceux Church of England primary schools.

The Federation looks after school governance, school budgets, development plans, curriculum targets, and other initiatives across both schools to benefit pupils in providing ‘outstanding education so that they move on with a love of life and learning.’

The special service was led by The Reverend Christian Mitchell, vicar of the parish, and a large number of church people also attended.

Prayers were offered for the new federation; it’s teachers, children, and parents.

Christian Mitchell said the service was really important and helpful. He said: “It’s a two-way thing. From a church point of view - for those who perhaps don’t recognise the involvement that the church has in the schools - and to the schools who don’t necessarily recognise the important part the church plays. I was also really encouraged that we had a good number of the congregation come to physically embody that support.”

The new Head of School, Mr Barnes, said: “One of the real draws for me applying for the post was that the fact the federation was there. I have worked in a federation before, and when they work they are superb, and this one is working really successfully.”

Executive Headteacher of both schools in the federation, Catherine Cottingham, added:” We’re seeing benefits already, we’ve had a twilight event where all the staff met together, and staff across the schools are sharing good practice.”