Celebrating DBE Leadership at Manchester Cathedral
Senior leaders from church schools across the North West gathered at Manchester Cathedral to celebrate the completion of the Christian Leadership Course 2025–26.
On Friday 3 July 2026, Manchester Cathedral welcomed participants, diocesan colleagues and guests from across the North West for the Christian Leadership Course Celebration Service, marking the culmination of the 2025–26 programme.
The Christian Leadership Course brings together senior leaders from church schools across the five North West dioceses of Manchester, Chester, Blackburn, Liverpool and Carlisle. Throughout the year, participants have explored what it means to lead with faith, reflecting on their vocation and the distinctive role of Christian leadership within their schools.
As part of the course, each participant keeps a reflective journal, documenting their experiences, challenges and personal growth. During the celebration service, they presented their journals, offering a powerful insight into the ways the programme has shaped both their leadership and their faith.
Now in its fifteenth year, the Christian Leadership Course continues to make a lasting impact on those who take part. Participants consistently describe the experience as transformational, helping them to grow both personally and professionally while strengthening their confidence to lead their school communities with Christian values at the heart of their practice.
The celebration service included a sermon from the Rt Revd Mark Davies, Bishop of Middleton, who encouraged participants as they continue their ministry of leadership within education. His reflections recognised the vital role that Christian school leaders play in nurturing flourishing communities, supporting young people and living out the Church’s mission in schools.
The service was a fitting celebration of a year of learning, reflection and shared experience, as participants gathered to give thanks for all they had achieved and to look ahead to the opportunities and challenges of the future.
Congratulations to all those who completed the Christian Leadership Course 2025–26. We pray that they will continue to lead with wisdom, courage and faith as they serve their school communities across the North West.
