WMCFEC
The Trustees of Festive (www.festive.org.uk) are currently seeking a Director (4 days pw) to work as part of the local and national church in support of faith provision within post-16 education. Closing date 22 February 2016. Click here for further details: Festive Director Advert
If you’re interested in how Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Development can be integrated into teaching and learning in vocational courses, take a look at the following video and report of a partnership project between Leicester College, the St Philip’s Centre and fbfe, with support from the SFA and NIACE, in 2013-14.
WMCFEC and Dare2Engage seek a good theological thinker and creative writer, with experience of teaching/training in the 16-19 sector, to develop a prototype interactive resource on ‘cultivating identity, inclusion and belonging’ for use with 16-19s in FE and Sixth Form Colleges. The work is offered on a self-employed consultancy or secondment basis. Download the tender document here: SMSCResources 16-19s-pilottender ed Closing date for tender submissions: 25 May 2015.
Congratulations to Birmingham Metropolitan College on a very creative & successful ‘Culture & Faith Summit’ today. A few of us from WMFEC who helped plan/contribute joined hundreds of students & college staff in debates, food-tasting, creating music & artwork, spoken word poetry, fashion & a faith marketplace. Well done to all who participated!
Bournville College is one of several FE colleges in the WM to start chaplaincy provision in recent years. On 11 May, Shelley Phelan, Bournville College’s E & D Manager, shares how her organisation values chaplaincy, at the Churches & Industry Group Birmingham’s annual meeting (Hall 7, ICC, 6.45-8pm). All welcome – RVSP to val.dalton@cigb.org.uk
A Very Modern Ministry is the new report by think-tank Theos on the nature and impact of chaplaincy. Author Ben Ryan discusses FE too, noting how further education chaplains do much more than simply pastoral work with students. A number sit on equality and diversity committees, advise college managers on how to handle faith-related issues, and help negotiate where difficulties arise. Some also provide staff training on matters of religion and belief. Read the full report online at: http://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/files/files/Modern%20Ministry%20combined.pdf
Huge thanks to participants and contributors who made yesterday’s workshop such a success, and also to North Warwickshire and Hinckley College for hosting us so well. We’ll post a short-write up of the event on our ‘For Colleges‘ page in due course. Meanwhile, remember your conflict style ‘animal’ and come down from the mountain tops! (Intrigued? Ask us!)
Book Now for 10 March 2015 in your diary for the third of WM Churches’ FE Council’s ‘faith literacy’ training events – this time focused on developing skills in dealing with difficult faith-based discussions and disputes (booking form here: Handling Faith Based Discussions in your College – booking form). Contributors include Sandra Cobbin (Clarity Development), The Feast, and Peacemakers
A new report exploring the relationship between religion and security emphasises the need for faith literacy, an ethic of inclusivity and consultation with communities, as a precursor to sound policy. Written by Prof John Wolffe and Dr Gavin Moorhead of the Open University, the report also cautions against generalising about the effects that religious (and indeed secular) ideas or movements may have, and notes that ‘religious leaders are potentially effective agents for overcoming community tensions’ (p. 3). The report can be read in full at: http://www.paccsresearch.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Religion-Security-Global-Uncertainties.pdf
Chaplaincy Central is a new network and resource hub for those involved in chaplaincy in schools and colleges, developed by the School Chaplains and Leaders Association (SCALA). Check out their website, now live, and register to be able to access ideas, resources and best practice.