The CCRS (Catholic Certificate in Religious Studies) is awarded by the Board of Religious Studies on behalf of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales. It is recommended for any teacher who wants to teach in a Catholic school as well as those seeking to deepen their knowledge and understanding in Catholic faith and theology. Anyone wishing to be involved in Catholic education and formation will be very welcome, as well as those involved in Religious Education in schools, Parish Catechesis and other ministries in the Church, or indeed anyone wishing to follow the course for faith development or personal interest.

The CCRS is delivered as a two year rolling programme and requires completion of a total of eight modules: six core and two specialist modules. Four modules are offered each academic year so it is possible to complete the course within two years, or up to five years as allowed by the Board of Studies.

Thursday Classes in person – from September 2025

Location: Chester (subject to student take-up, at Newman Room, St Columba’s Parish, Plas Newton Lane, CH2 1PL)

Dates: Each module is two days, mostly two consecutive Thursdays. Time: Classes take place 9.00am-3.15pm (arrivals from 8.45am).

• Module: Church – 25 September and 2 October 2025
• Module: Sacraments – 20 November and 27 November 2025

For more information please contact Anthony Timothy: ccrs@dioceseofshrewsbury.org

CCRS Fees 2025–26 – Self-study with an introductory seminar and a final seminar (both seminars are a compulsory part of the module)

Registration Form: please contact Anthony Timothy to request a registration form: ccrs@dioceseofshrewsbury.org

CCRS Module Dates 2025

Old Testament Seminar

• 11 September and 2 October 2025, 16.45-18.15 – Seminars for online students in Birkenhead
• 13 September and 4 October 2025, 9.15-10.45 – Seminars for online students in Wythenshawe

New Testament Seminar

• 13 November and 11 December 2025, 16.45-18.15 – Seminars for online students in Birkenhead
• 15 November and 13 December 2025, 9.15-10.45 – Seminars for online students in Wythenshawe

I am very pleased to be introducing our revised programme of CPDF for the academic year 2026-27. We have prepared a programme of training that utilises the now familiar virtual sessions, as well as a series of face to face sessions to allow for greater interaction and networking. Although much of what we are offering is designed for specific target groups (e.g. ECTs, New Headteachers), there is no reason why other staff in school may not access the virtual sessions if appropriate. Sessions relevant for governors are marked with an asterisk.

Richard Woods, Director of Schools

CPDF Programme 2026-27 – please always check our booking site for updates.

The following two courses can be booked via the NWCDTP website – simply follow the ‘register here’ tab on the home page.

The Senior Leadership Formation Residential 2026-2027

• 25th – 26th February at the Wrightington Hotel (cost £260)

Aspiring to Headship or Deputy Headship Programme (two cohort windows 2026-2027)

Cohort 1 – Autumn Term

• Session 1 – Application Process: Thursday 1st October 2026, 4pm-5pm (online)
• Session 2 – Interview Process: Wednesday 25th November 2026, 9.30am-4pm (in-person, St Margaret Clitherow centre, Liverpool)

Cohort 2 – Spring Term

• Session 1 – Application Process: Thursday 7th January 2027, 4pm-5pm (online)

• Headteacher Induction
• Headteacher Termly Briefings
• Day of Renewal for Senior Leaders
• Primary DADAH
• Primary DADAH – HUB meetings
• Secondary DADAH: CL&M, QofE and PDBA
• Governors’ Induction
• Governors’ Termly Briefings
• Chairs and Vice Chairs Termly Forum meetings
• Chair of Governor Induction
• Annual Governors’ Conference
• RE Coordinators’ Induction – Primary
• RE Hub meetings
• RE Coordinator meetings
• SHORE meetings
• SHORE Hub meetings
• Secondary RSE Leads meetings
• ECTs Primary 1st and 2nd Year Induction Days
• ECTs Secondary Induction
• School Support for CSI Framework
• PCWP
• Mixed-age Classes Working Party
• COAST meetings
• COAST HUB meetings
• COAST Retreat
• Chaplain Induction

• Old Testament
• New Testament
• The Person of Jesus (Christology)
• Catholic Schools: Mission and Ethos
• Christian Morality
• Sacraments
• Church
• RE in the classroom

Support and training for Secondary DHTs and AHTs for the unique joys and challenges of leading Catholic secondary schools. Time to network and share experiences.

3 sessions for each term in the following areas: Catholic Life and Mission; Quality of Education; Personal Development, Behaviour and Attitudes.

Email us for more information: education@dioceseofshrewsbury.org

Support and training, regardless of faith background, for the unique joys and challenges of leading Catholic primary schools. Time to reflect, network and share experiences.

3 sessions per year – once a term. There was one in person and the rest will be by Zoom.

Please note, this recording is intended to be viewed by the recipient only. Should other colleagues in school wish to view the recording, they should request a link, or view the recording with the recipient. Please ensure that the contents of this recording are not shared on social media or uploaded to the public domain.

Recording Request Form 2025-26

Please note: recordings for Vine and Branches are available under Primary RE Resources.

• Vine and Branches Year 5 preparation for Prophecy and Promise – 7/10/25
• Vine and Branches Year 6 preparation for Prophecy and Promise – 8/10/25
• Vine and Branches Year 5 preparation for Galilee to Jerusalem – 1/12/25
• Vine and Branches Year 6 preparation for Galilee to Jerusalem – 2/12/25
• Vine and Branches Year 5 preparation for Desert to Garden – 3/2/26
• Vine and Branches Year 6 preparation for Desert to Garden – 4/2/26
• Guidance for schools and colleges: Celebration of Mass, Sacred spaces in school and Reservation of the Blessed Sacrament – 10/2/26
• Vine and Branches Year 5 preparation for To the Ends of the Earth – 10/3/26
• Vine and Branches Year 6 preparation for To the Ends of the Earth – 11/3/26
• Exemplars and Guidance on prayer in schools – 12/3/2026
• Assessment in RE Toolkit from CES & NBRIA – Briefing for School Leaders – 24/3/26

Recording Request Form 2024-25

Please note: Vine and Branches recordings are available directly from Primary RE Resources; Prayer and Liturgy recordings are available directly from Prayer and Liturgy Resources.

• Prayer and Liturgy Directory 1 – The Liturgical Year – October 24
• Vine and Branches Year 1 preparation for Prophecy and Promise – 7/10/24
• Vine and Branches Year 2 preparation for Prophecy and Promise – 8/10/24
• Vine and Branches Year 3 preparation for Prophecy and Promise – 9/10/24
• Vine and Branches Year 4 preparation for Prophecy and Promise – 14/10/2024
• Vine and Branches Year 1 preparation for Galilee to Jerusalem – 28/11/24
• Vine and Branches Year 2 preparation for Galilee to Jerusalem – 3/12/24
• Vine and Branches Year 3 preparation for Galilee to Jerusalem – 4/12/24
• Vine and Branches Year 4 preparation for Galilee to Jerusalem – 9/12/24
• CSI Handbook updates for schools – January 2025 – 24/1/25
• Vine and Branches Year 4 preparation for Desert to Garden – 29/1/25
• Vine and Branches Year 1 preparation for Desert to Garden – 3/2/25
• Vine and Branches Y2 preparation for Desert to Garden – 4/2/25
• Vine and Branches Y3 preparation for Desert to Garden – 5/2/25
• Prayer and Liturgy Directory 4 – Mass practicalities – 13/3/25
• Vine and Branches Y1 To the Ends of the Earth – 17/3/25
• Vine and Branches Y2 To the Ends of the Earth – 18/3/25
• Vine and Branches Y3 To the Ends of the Earth – 19/3/25
• Vine and Branches Y4 To the Ends of the Earth – 20/3/25
• Vine and Branches Y1 Dialogue and Encounter – 12/5/25
• Vine and Branches Y2 Dialogue and Encounter – 13/5/25
• Vine and Branches Y3 Dialogue and Encounter – 19/5/25
• Vine and Branches Y4 Dialogue and Encounter – 20/5/25
• Prayer and Liturgy Directory 5 – Celebration of the Word – with guest speaker Greg Finn from the Mark10Mission

Recording Request Form 2023-24

• CSI Briefing for schools – 14/09/2023
• RE Coordinator Twilight Briefing – 7/2/2024
• Exploring RED Twilight – 25/4/2024
• RE Coordinator Twilight Briefing – 23/5/2024
• Support for schools Vine and Branches – Year 4
• Support for schools Vine and Branches – Year 3
• Support for schools Vine and Branches – Year 2
• Support for schools Vine and Branches – Year 1