Seminars and Workshops

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After a keynote address from the Archbishop, there will be two seminars to choose from, depending on your experience of working with schools.
	Seminar	What's it about?	Speaker
	Stream One - Making Connections	Do you have little or no experience of working in schools, and want to find out what you can offer? Discover how to get involved in schools.	Nick Harding (Southwell Diocese)

	Stream Two - Growing Connections	Are you already involved in schools work? Discover how to make more of your current school involvement.	Nigel Roberts (Youth For Christ)
In the afternoon, delegates will be able to attend two of the following workshops.
	Workshop Title	What's it about?	Speaker
1	Sacred Space - Creative Prayer	Imagine having both the time and space in school for young people to be a part of a spiritual experience through creative prayer activities. This opportunity exists in many areas of school life. This workshop will explore the exciting ways in which you can work with schools to set up such activities.	Catherine Clayton (Prayer Spaces in Schools)

2	Praying for Schools	Schools are a unique hub in the community. Not only do they help to educate the next generation, but they draw together so many people from different backgrounds. Does your church have a heart for your local school? Come and be challenged on how you can serve your school through prayer.	John Stephenson (Prayer for Schools)

3	The Christian Governor	Opportunities abound for Christians to serve schools as part of the governing body. This can seem a very daunting task. However Christians can make a unique contribution to their local school. This workshop is suitable for anyone who is a governor, or who is considering it.	Bob Duerden (Diocese of York Board of Education)

4	Creative Storytelling	Godly Play is a creative storytelling resource which encourages listeners to connect with bible stories through personal experience. This workshop will provide an introduction to Godly play and explore how it can be used to enhance the spiritual development of children.	Heather Black (Godly Play UK)

5	Sacred Space - Collective Worship	Local churches, youth workers and volunteers continue to have an amazing opportunity to visit schools as a religious speaker and contribute to the collective worship. This may take place through assemblies, chapel services, form time sessions or during the Christian festivals. But how do we make sure we engage with the young people and help them to grow spiritually?	Geoff Brown (Scripture Union)

6	Who Comes First?	'2012' provides us with a powerful opportunity to share positive values with primary schoolchildren - and that includes Christian beliefs. Find out how to explore the background and imagery of the original Greek Games, using insights gleaned from Archaeology and the Bible - and you won’t even need to bring a tracksuit!	Chris Hudson (Barnabas in Schools)

7	REality...	As Christians we can make a distinctive contribution to RE in schools. Guidelines actively encourage people of faith to be involved in RE in order to help children and young people learn both about and from religion. If you would like to help your school in encountering Christianity within RE then this session is for you!	Olivia Seymour (Diocese of York Board of Education)

8	The Spirit of the Child	Understanding how children and young people develop spiritually is vital if we are to nurture them in today’s social climate and encourage them in their exploration of faith. This seminar will provide some deeper theological teaching on the spirituality of children and young people which will provide helpful insights and guidance into your work.	Rebecca Nye (Godly Play UK)

9	Open All Hours	Schools are required to offer activities at either end of the normal school day. They are also encouraged to seek the involvement of the local community. This workshop will explore how Christians can make the most of this opportunity.	Nigel Roberts (Youth For Christ)

10	It's Not the God Squad!	Clubs based in schools can be great places for children and young people to encounter the good news of Jesus. They can also be places of support, encouragement and fellowship for Christians. This workshop will explore the ‘Why’ and ‘How’ of starting, running and maintaining vibrant lunchtime or after school clubs in both primary and secondary schools.	York Schools and Youth Trust

11	All Day, Every Day	Christian members of staff are in a unique position – they can have an influence on scores of children and young people every week. However, often it does not seem like this. Just keeping one’s head above water is about as much as is possible. This workshop will help us renew our vision, discover strategies for survival and find out what help is at hand.	Clive Ireson (Association of Christian Teachers)

12	Stand By Me	For a number of years mentoring in schools has been a bit of a buzz word. What is mentoring, who can be a mentor and what is the purpose of serving in this way? This workshop will explore these and other questions such as: what are the opportunities and what skills are needed to be an effective mentor?	Joel Toombs (The Mentoring Network)

13	Who Cares?	Just like any community, schools are full of hurting, sad, lost and damaged people. As Christians we should look for opportunities to serve schools by caring for those in need. How can we build relationships of trust that mean we are there when we are needed? How is pastoral care in a school setting different to that at church?	Rev. Jason Taylor (Chaplain to Archbishop Sentamu Academy, Hull)

14	Local Church, Local School	When Churches & Schools work together they can greatly benefit a local community. How can churches build great relationships with schools that are about service, collaboration and partnership? What can churches offer schools and what can schools offer to churches?	Nick Harding (Southwell Diocese)

15	Archbishop of York Young Leaders Award	The Archbishop of York Youth Trust is committed to equipping Young People to ‘be the change they want to see’ in their communities. The Young Leader’s Award is already effecting change in communities and young people across the North of England and this workshop will unpack how the Award is run and explore how you can get involved.	Dan Finn (Archbishop of York Youth Trust)

To book your place at Back to School, click here.