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- Tasks: Support schools in improving standards and Christian distinctiveness.
- Company: Join the Diocese of Chichester, serving 155 Church of England schools.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, 28 days leave, and a generous pension scheme.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on education while working in a supportive, faith-driven environment.
- Qualifications: Must be a practising Christian with experience in school leadership.
- Other info: Hybrid role with options for full or part-time work.
The predicted salary is between 47000 - 58000 £ per year.
School Improvement Officer
We wish to appoint two experienced senior leaders to help deliver educational excellence and effectiveness across the 155 Church of England schools and academies in Chichester that belong to the household of faith in the Diocese.
This is hybrid-working role offering flexible working and can be either full or part-time.
Position: School Effectiveness Officer
Location: East Sussex/Hybrid
Salary: £55,000 – £58,000 per annum depending on qualifications and experience for 37.5 hours per week or a pro-rata salary of £44,000 – £46,400pa for 30 hours per week (0.8 contract)
Hours: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week or part-time, 30 hours per week (flexible working)
Contract: Permanent
Closing Date: Sunday 22nd June 2025
Interview Date: Interviews will be held in Hove on Tuesday 11th July 2025
About the Role
We are looking for one School Effectiveness Officer to provide support to schools in East Sussex and another to schools in Mid/West Sussex. Both roles are offered as full-time positions; however we are happy to receive applications from candidates who may be looking for a part-time role.
The organisations vision for Education is to be “deeply Christian, serving the common good.” We are seeking new team members who can support the development of school improvement and Christian distinctiveness provision across Church of England schools and academies.
The principal duties include:
- Providing advice and support to school leaders on strategies for improvement and raising standards in church schools
- Developing effective processes for school improvement based on monitoring, review and evaluation principles.
- Supporting church schools and academies in their preparation for and response to Ofsted and SIAMS inspections.
- Advising school leaders on the development of the distinctive Christian character and the promotion of spiritual, moral, social and cultural development in the life of their schools and academies.
As an employer, and as a Church House team, the mutual values at work are to be Respectful, Professional, Flexible and Supportive.
About You
Our ideal candidate will:
- Be an experienced Headteacher with a record of delivering school improvement and educational excellence.
- Be a practising Christian and committed to the role that church schools play in the formal education and raising of standards.
- Have the ability to build strong professional relationships, have challenging conversations and hold senior school leaders to account with sensitivity and understanding.
- Show evidence of good leadership and organisational skills and have the ability to prioritise tasks, risks and opportunities.
For full details of the job please see the job description and person specification when you click to apply.
Please note this is post to which a Genuine Occupational Requirement under paragraph 1 of Schedule 9 of the Equality Act applies, the requirement being that the post holder is a practising Christian.
About the Organisation
The vision of the Diocese is to help people within the Diocese to know, love and follow Jesus. Based in Hove and serving the people of the Sussex across more than 360 parishes and 155 church schools and the wider community, this is a great role for someone who supports the ethos, aims and objectives of the Diocese and the Church of England.
What we offer:
- One of the core values is flexibility. The Diocese offer flexi-time and the opportunity to apply to use the DBF’s remote working policy to work from home for part of the week.
- 28 days of annual leave, plus bank holidays and two privilege days per year or a 0.8 pro-rata equivalent.
- Membership of the Church Worker’s Pension Scheme with a 15.1% employer contribution and an employee contribution between 0-6%.
- Free parking, and the ride to work scheme and development opportunities
The organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All post holders are expected to share this commitment and to comply with the relevant safeguarding policy.
This role is subject to an Enhanced DBS check and the post will involve travelling around the Diocese, some evening work and occasional work at weekends.
Please note this is post to which a Genuine Occupational Requirement under paragraph 1 of Schedule 9 of the Equality Act applies, the requirement being that the post holder is a practising Christian.
Other roles you may have experience of could include Improvement Officer, Effectiveness Officer, School Improvement Officer, School Effectiveness Officer, School Effectiveness and Improvement, School Effectiveness and Improvement Officer, Head Teacher, Teacher, Deputy Head, Head of Year, School, Education, Education Improvement Officer. #INDNFP
PLEASE NOTE: This role is being advertised by NFP People on behalf of the organisation.
Contact Detail:
NFP People Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land School Improvement Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Church of England's educational ethos and values. Understanding their vision for education as 'deeply Christian, serving the common good' will help you align your experience and approach with their mission during discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former School Improvement Officers or Headteachers within the Diocese. Engaging in conversations about their experiences can provide valuable insights into the role and expectations, which you can leverage in your interactions.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific strategies you've implemented in previous roles that have led to measurable improvements in school performance. Highlighting your success stories will demonstrate your capability to deliver educational excellence.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your ability to build strong professional relationships by preparing examples of how you've effectively collaborated with school leaders. This is crucial for the role, so be ready to discuss how you handle challenging conversations with sensitivity.
We think you need these skills to ace School Improvement Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to grasp the responsibilities and expectations of a School Improvement Officer. Highlight key phrases that resonate with your experience and skills.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to reflect your relevant experience as a Headteacher or in similar roles. Emphasise your achievements in school improvement, leadership, and your commitment to Christian values.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that connects your personal values and professional experiences to the ethos of the Diocese. Mention specific examples of how you've supported school improvement and developed Christian distinctiveness.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, focus on your ability to build relationships, lead effectively, and manage challenges sensitively. Use concrete examples to demonstrate these skills, particularly in the context of church schools.
How to prepare for a job interview at NFP People
✨Understand the Organisation's Vision
Familiarise yourself with the Diocese's vision for education, which is to be 'deeply Christian, serving the common good.' Be prepared to discuss how your values align with this vision and how you can contribute to it.
✨Demonstrate Your Leadership Experience
As an experienced Headteacher, highlight specific examples of how you've successfully delivered school improvement and educational excellence. Use metrics or outcomes to showcase your impact in previous roles.
✨Prepare for Challenging Conversations
The role requires holding senior school leaders accountable. Think of scenarios where you've had to navigate difficult discussions and how you approached them with sensitivity and understanding.
✨Showcase Your Commitment to Christian Values
Since a genuine occupational requirement is that the post holder is a practising Christian, be ready to share your personal faith journey and how it informs your professional practice in education.
