What is a Bishop’s Visitor?

Bishop’s Visitors (BVs) come from a variety of walks of life, many are former teachers and senior leaders of schools, but all come with experience of supporting children and young people. They volunteer to support church schools across the Diocese in a number of ways.

The purpose of having a Bishop’s Visitor in a school is:

• Be a Growing Faith ambassador for the school
• Provide a practical link between the school and the church
• Provide pastoral care for the school
• Encourage and support the school in upholding its Christian ethos through its vision and values.
• Provide a Christian presence in the school, supporting and enhancing the distinctive nature of the school

What can Bishop’s Visitors do?

Every school is unique and every bishop’s visitor is unique. Therefore, how each Bishop’s Visitor lives out their role will look different. However, here are some activities Bishop's Visitors are involved in. 

• Regular visits to the school to build relationships and provide pastoral care
• Work with school, church and families to build relationships and provide an opportunity for faith to grow.
• Be a link between church and school to help provide access to building, events and help activities to run smoothly
• Support staff in their knowledge of Christianity, faith and the Bible.
• Being involved in the life of the school e.g. listen to children read, take part in clubs, take/attend Collective Worship
• Attend the annual Diocesan Church School Festival with the school
• Support the school through their Church School inspection (SIAMS)
• Read or facilitate the Bishop’s end of term letter three times a year

More details can be found in the booklet below.