Reports To:The Diocesan Secretary

Reports to:The Diocesan Secretary

Location: Diocesan Office

DBS Disclosure:Enhanced DBS Disclosure is required for this post.

Context

Church Schools are at the heart of the Church of England's mission and a significant place in which the Diocese of York can fulfil its mission of ‘Generous Churches Making and Nurturing Disciples’. They faithfully serve children and parents of all faiths and of none, providing a high quality education of the whole child and enriching their communities. The Diocesan Board of Education’s vision is of a distinctive, inclusive and effective education which allows God’s children to realise their true potential in the eyes of the Lord. At the same time as fulfilling its commitments to Church schools, the DBE attaches significant importance to supporting non-Church schools within the Diocese. The Board and its officers aim to inspire, advise and support schools, colleges, universities and parishes in their Christian mission to children and young people in and through education.

Through its work with schools and other institutions, the DBE seeks to promote maturing literacy in faith matters, and support head teachers, staff and governors. It aims to nurture disciples in our schools, deepen commitment through participation in daily acts of worship and engagement in religious education, promote partnerships with and in the communities we serve, enhance our ability to be salt and light to the whole world and help more people to encounter the living Christ.

Nature and Scope

The Diocese of York is the third largest in the country, stretching across 8 local authorities between the River Tees and the Humber. We serve 4 secondary school Academies, and 123 Church of England primary schools, of which 19 are Aided, three are Foundation, two are Academies and the remainder are Controlled. The Diocese has in place an ‘umbrella trust’ (DYET) which supports the Academy Trusts and Diocesan Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs) to fulfil their responsibilities as well as sitting as the corporate member of the Academy Trusts and MATs. The DDE is an ex officio director of DYET.

The Diocese is a member, together with the North West Dioceses, of DBE Services Ltd, which provides traded services to schools and academies, primarily in relation to development and maintenance of buildings.

The Education policy environment is changing rapidly. The government is promoting a move towards academies and the traditional role of the local authority is diminishing. The 2012 Church School of The Future Review affirms the importance of church schools for the mission of the Church. It also highlights the challenges to Diocesan Boards of Education, including the need to develop partnerships locally, among church and non-church schools, and regionally, particularly in response to the changing role of local authorities.

Some specific live issues include developing a robust strategy for supporting MATs and the academy conversion process, championing school improvement and stepping into some of the space traditionally the preserve of the local authority, the outworking of the Diocesan strategic priorities (Generous Churches Making and Nurturing Disciples) in the education sphere, including building stronger connections between parishes and their schools.

Purpose Statement

To provide strategic leadership for the Education team:

Being a passionate and well informed advocate for the church’s engagement in education

Inspiring, enthusing and influencing the Diocese to value its church schools

Embracing the changing government and Church of England policy environment and taking advantage of the opportunities to promote the mission of the Diocese through education

Providing high quality advice for schools and other relevant institutions: ensuring all are clear that the church and its schools work to make known God’s presence and love in the world

Ensuring that the voice, creativity and views of children and young people are heard, valued and celebrated at all levels within the Diocese

Reporting Structure

This post has a dual reporting line. Operational/line management is provided by the Diocesan Secretary. Strategic/functional oversight is provided by the Bishop of Whitby in his capacity as Archbishop’s Ambassador for Schools, on behalf of the Archbishop of York who currently chairs the Diocesan Board of Education (DBE). Performance & Development Reviews will be undertaken by the Diocesan Secretary with, or on the advice of, the Archbishop’s Ambassador for Schools.

Management responsibility for the Education team including: Deputy Director, Assistant Director (part-time), 2.6 Education Advisers, School Effectiveness Advisor, School Buildings Officer, Administrator.

Principal Accountabilities

1. Plan strategically and creatively for the development and growth of church schools, analysing and preparing for future needs in the local and national context, and particularly in response to the Church School of the Future Report (2012) and The Future of Rural Church of England Schools Report (2014) .
2. Through effective leadership and management of the Education team, ensuring that the required services and standards are delivered, including:
3. Provision of support and advice for head teachers and governors on staffing, curriculum, worship, religious education, standards and legislation;
4. Support for schools in ensuring compliance with current legislation, including appointment, training and checking of foundation governors, and developing codified admission policies and procedures and appeals processes;
5. Supporting and maintaining the team of denominational inspectors and ensuring that Church Schools are supported in relation to OFSTED and Section 48 inspections, including their planning and implementation of subsequent strategies for improvement;
6. Working with local authorities and appropriate local officers to support all schools and the SACREs with Agreed Syllabus religious education and worship.
7. Develop links and maintain strong contacts with all church schools and other educational institutions in the Diocese.
8. Promote close partnerships between worshipping communities and their schools and colleges.
9. As ‘Secretary to the Board of Education’ as defined under the Diocesan Boards of Education Measure 1991, ensure the implementation of the Measure and any subsequent legislation, including maintenance of buildings and school sites, and provide advice and guidance to the DBEon all aspects of policy formation and implementation.
10. Develop and manage the education budget, working with the Finance Manager, and actively pursue additional sources of income (including: local authority devolved capital, Section 554 Funds, grants from charitable trusts, and trading income for services).
11. Coordinate and support those representing the Diocese on statutory committees and other bodies.
12. Bring to the attention of the Archbishop’s Staff, Archbishop’s Council and Diocesan Synod all matters relating to church schools and the church’s involvement in further and higher education, ensuring that appropriate policies and strategies are developed and implemented.
13. Undertake such other reasonable duties as may be required by the DBE and the Diocesan Secretary.

Key Relationships

Chair and members of the Board of Education and the Diocese of York Education Trust

Archbishop and the Archbishop’s Staff

Diocesan Secretary, and the Diocesan heads of department

Heads and Governors of Church Schools in this Diocese, plus local clergy and PCCs

Regional links with counterparts through

The National Society

Local authorities (North Yorkshire, York, Hull, Stockton, Middlesbrough, Redcar & Cleveland, East Riding, Leeds)

Department for Education and Ofsted

Legal advisers and contractors

Person Specification

Qualifications

1.Education to degree level and evidence of further academic, professional or vocational study. (Essential)

Knowledge

2.Knowledge of DFE and local authority procedures and of current educational developments (Essential)

3.A demonstrable understanding of the church’s ministry to children. (Essential)

4.Awareness and understanding of the place of Church Schools in a changing multi-faith context. (Essential)

Experience

5.A proven track record in managing and developing an organisation within the educational field. (Essential)

6.Demonstrable experience of successful development and implementation of policy, strategy and strategic change to adapt to a new environment. (Essential)

7.Experience and confidence in dealing with financial issues and an ability to manage them. (Essential)

8.Experience of managing individuals and teams, including virtual teams. (Essential)

9.A Christian, in sympathy with the ethos of Anglican schools. (Essential – see genuine occupational requirement below.)

10.Experience of leading strategic partnerships. (Desirable)

Skills and abilities

11.Passion for education and the place of schools and children in the life of the church, and vision for fostering and developing Christian education within the Diocese. (Essential)

12.Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team, build strong relationships with a wide range of people, and develop strategic partnerships. (Essential)

13.Excellent communicator, with experience of communicating effectively with a range of stakeholders in different ways including board level papers and presentations. (Essential)

14.Entrepreneurial: able to find creative responses to problems and new opportunities. (Essential)

15.Ability to successfully influence a range of stakeholders to create a sense of common purpose and advocacy. (Essential)

16.Strong IT skills, able to competently use standard office applications. (Essential)

17.Ability to use own private transport and travel independently throughout the diocese (Essential)

Outline of terms and conditions

Responsible to:Diocesan Secretary (line management)
Archbishop’s Ambassador for Schools (functional oversight)

Salary:£55,000 - £60,000 p.a. subject to experience and qualifications

Hours:This is a full time role based on a 35 hour working week, but the post-holder may be required to work additional hours as to meet the reasonable requirements of the role. The post-holder will be entitled to request time off in lieu for attending meetings outside normal office hours (which may include evening and weekends).

Location:The post holder will be based at the Diocesan Office at Clifton Moor, York. The nature of the role requires regular travel around the Diocese, and sometimes nationally. The post holder is expected to have access to private transport. Appropriate technology is provided to assist remote working.

Pension:Enrolment in the Church Workers’ (contributory) defined contribution scheme

Annual leave:Twenty-five days plus public holidays

Probationary period:6 months

Notice period:3 months

Expenses:Working expenses are paid at the Diocesan rates

Contract:The contract of employment will be with the York Diocesan Board of Finance

Safeguarding:This appointment is subject to a satisfactory Enhanced DBS disclosure

Right to work:The post-holder must have proof of the right to reside and work in the UK

Genuine Occupational Requirement:
There is a genuine occupational requirement that the post-holder is a committed Christian and has empathy with the mission and ministry of the Church of England. The post-holder is required to be a member of the Church of England or another domination which is a member of Churches Together in England.