NORES (Northampton Religious Education Service) exists, as indicated by our mission statement, to support Catholic education and formation and our role constantly changes to meet current needs in these areas.
Reporting to Bishop Peter Doyle, details of what we offer as a service to the Catholic community are given below:
NORES as a whole
- communicates with schools and parishes through NORES NEWS
- represents the Trustee at all appointments for reserved posts of Head and Deputy Head Teacher (as well as RE & Chaplaincy posts)
- organises and promotes diocesan events for education,
especially the annual Education Celebration and NORES Lecture
- organises annual conferences for Head and Deputy Head Teachers
- is responsible for the inspection of our schools as Catholic schools, and their Religious Education in accordance with canonical and civil law.
- monitors and publishes inspection reports and supports the implementation of recommendations
- shares in responsibility for support for schools as and when needed, and with Local Authorities and other external agencies.
- represents the diocese on the statutory committees (6 per authority) and other bodies as required by civil law
- works with other diocesan agencies in different ways, e.g. Finance Office, NYMO, Liturgy Commission, Vocations Team, Becket Foundation etc, and liaises with other denominational and faith bodies in this area.
Schools
- represents the Trustee to Government, DCFS, and Local Authorities in terms of current and future provision, building projects, legal, statutory and finance issues
- liaises with the Trustee and Diocesan Finance Office for our schools
- liaises with Local Authorities in areas of finance (LCVAP), buildings, admissions, HR issues (especially appointments, grievance and capability)
- liaises with consultants and professionals in building projects, their planning and implementation
- appoints and supports Foundation Governors
- offers training to all governors especially in the area of Catholic ethos and Catholic education generally
- works with the whole Service, our schools, other dioceses and CES to provide training for future Catholic leaders for our schools
- liaises with CES and Diocesan Schools Commissioners as part of the whole provision of Catholic education in England and Wales
Religious Education
- visits and supports staff teaching religious education at all phases
- organises meetings for Primary RE Coordinators and Secondary Heads of Department
- provides INSET meetings in each deanery each term
- organises annual conferences
- represents the Trustee at all major appointments for religious education
- communicates national developments and initiatives
- liaises as members of the National Board of Religious Inspectors and Advisers
- with the Liturgy Commission offers courses for liturgy with young people
Chaplaincy and Pastoral Support
- liaises with all chaplaincy staff in schools and tertiary education
- provides support and training for all chaplaincy staff
- offers opportunities for reflection and training to support staff in schools
- represents the Trustee at all chaplaincy appointments
- liaises with Association of Catholic Chaplains in Education
- promotes and develops programmes and systems of pastoral care, e.g.“Rainbows”
Adult Formation – offers the following courses on a regular basis, with many other occasional courses
- Catholic Certificate in Religious Studies
- Theology for Teachers
- Pastoral Ministry Course
- MA in Pastoral Theology (with St Mary’s University College)
- liaises with the Association of Adult Religious Educators
- Bishop’s Council for Catechists – liaises with catechists in parishes, offering support and courses
Catechetics
- supports Catechists and the Bishop’s Council for Catechists
- promotes local formation at Levels 1 and 2 for catechists
- offers deanery and diocesan meetings for training, support and networking
The Diocesan Liturgy Commission is also based at NORES and details of events and courses can be found at the diocesan website: www.northamptondiocese.org