‘He shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart and guided them with skilful hands.’
Psalm 78:72
Core objective: To help settle new headteachers into their role, so that they flourish as leaders of Church schools and academies within the Diocese of Oxford.
Are you a Headteacher new to your role within a Church school or academy?
The Headteacher Induction and Partnership (HIP) will help you to settle into your post as a leader in a Church school, by giving you access to bespoke webinars and in-person training and a network of peer support partnerships to help you flourish as a leader. We will explore our emotional intelligence, how we lead, and how we treat others. This is an opportunity to explore parts of the headteacher role that no one can prepare you for. HIP supports leaders in building strong and long-standing relationships within the context of each school.
HIP is for new headteachers or heads of school and those within the first two years of headship:
A.
Friday 26th September 2025
9:30 am - 3:00 pm
In-person launch, welcome, and commissioning of new Headteachers
Church schools in modern Britain
Hear from a serving Headteachers with Q&A
Introduction to emotional intelligence and awareness, and the untold stories
Short sessions covering the following: governance, admissions, premises, the role of ODBE,
collective worship, RE, SIAMS, Communication Team, chaplaincy and parish engagement
Venue: Church House Oxford, Langford Locks, Kidlington, Oxford, OX5 1GF
B.*
Wednesday 03 December 2025
9:30 - 11:00
Collective Worship Headteacher Essentials Webinar, led by Toby Long
Beyond the job description
Led by Chris Price-Smith
C.*
Monday 09 February 2026
9:30 - 11:00
Religious Education Headteacher Essentials Webinar, led by Katie Dickens, RE Adviser
The business of relationships
Led by Chris Price-Smith
D.*
Wednesday 17 June 2026
9:30 - 11:00
SIAMS Headteacher Essentials Webinar led by Helen Crolla, SIAMS Adviser
Maintaining work-life balance
Led by Chris Price-Smith
E.
Friday 02 October 2026
9:30 am – 1:30 pm
Final session - Developing my school as a Church School and my servant leadership
Embedding resilience moving forward Led by Chris Price-Smith
We will finish with lunch together
Venue: Church House Oxford, Langford Locks, Kidlington, Oxford, OX5 1GF
Post-HIP: The Pathway doesn’t stop here! ODBE is fully committed to supporting and developing high-quality leadership in all its schools. ODBE offers the continuation of the Performance, Resilience and Support Programme (PRS) each academic year. This programme is specifically aimed at headteachers and enables all school leaders attending to pause and reflect on their personal professional journey and spiritual leadership as well as share strategies for addressing the challenges of headship.
Cost: £ 150 for each new Headteacher to cover all HIP sessions and materials. This is heavily subsidised for 2025-26 saving schools over £400. Booking is essential via Eventbrite.
