Our Church
Our Partnership with St James’ Church
We are uniquely blessed at Bentley Heath Church of England Primary School to have St James’, Bentley Heath located within our school grounds. This means the life of the church is naturally woven into daily school life, giving children regular opportunities to experience worship, reflection and Christian community in an authentic and meaningful way.
Our pupils use the church space weekly and gather there for festivals, celebrations, class services and moments of stillness. Having a sacred space right at the heart of school enables children to understand the role of the church – not just as a building, but as a loving, active presence rooted in the life of the local community.
Our Clergy and Ministry Team
Our strong partnership with the clergy and ministry team from St James’ and St Philip’s, Dorridge enriches both worship and the pastoral life of our school.
Reverend Duncan Hill‑Brown — Vicar
Revd Duncan leads whole‑school worship and plays a key role in helping children explore the Christian faith with curiosity and joy. His guiding presence helps shape the spiritual life of the school, and pupils value his warmth, storytelling and wisdom.
Will Stevenette — Curate
Will brings creativity and energy to worship. He regularly co‑leads Monday worship, works alongside pupils to develop thoughtful and engaging worship experiences, and supports children in asking big questions about faith, justice and community.
Rosie Routledge — Chaplain
Rosie’s role focuses primarily on the pastoral care and wellbeing of staff, offering listening, encouragement and reflective space. She is a calm and caring presence in school and joins Duncan and Will for Monday worship, helping to hold the spiritual atmosphere of the gathering even though her chaplaincy is centred on supporting adults.
Anna Bousfield — FLOURISH Lead
Anna works closely with Bentley Heath as part of the national FLOURISH network. She supports Worship Leaders and staff in shaping worship that is creative, inclusive, and rooted in pupil voice. Through FLOURISH, children grow in confidence, develop leadership skills and learn how worshipping communities can serve and bless their local area.
Church in School: Worship, Community and Faith in Action
Because the church is physically part of our school site, pupils are able to experience Christian community in meaningful ways:
- Weekly worship in St James’ with Duncan, Will, Rosie and the school staff
- Special services marking key moments in the Christian calendar (Harvest, Christmas, Easter)
- Class‑led worship and reflective times in the church
- FLOURISH pupil leadership, enabling children to design and lead elements of worship
- Shared community events that bring together church, school and families
- Pastoral support for staff from Rosie as part of our commitment to staff wellbeing
These experiences help children to grow spiritually, emotionally and socially, developing a sense of belonging within a wider community of faith.
A Living Partnership
Our relationship with St James’ and St Philip’s is not limited to worship. Clergy and ministry team members are present in the everyday life of the school—supporting RE, joining curriculum projects, engaging with families and helping to nurture and sustain our Christian vision.
Together, we collaborate on:
- Community outreach
- Charity and justice projects
- Advocacy and social action
- Supporting families in times of need
- Developing pupil leadership through worship and FLOURISH
This living partnership strengthens our identity as a Church school and deepens the sense of love, welcome and shared purpose that characterises the Bentley Heath community.
Find Out More
To learn more about St James’ and the wider parish, visit:
Welcome About Us – St Philip’s, Dorridge & St James’, Bentley Heath (stphilipsandstjames.org)