At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead school governance and admissions, providing expert advice and training to headteachers and governors.
- Company: Join the Diocese of Chichester, supporting 154 schools across Sussex with a Christian ethos.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible working hours, and generous leave entitlements.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in education while working closely with passionate professionals.
- Qualifications: Degree level education and experience in school governance or related fields required.
- Other info: Flexible work options and commitment to safeguarding children and young people.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 31000 £ per year.
The Diocese of Chichester has 154 schools across Sussex working in partnership with our 360 parishes. Based at Church House in Hove, our vision for Education is to be “Deeply Christian, serving the common good.” We wish to appoint a skilled and experienced team member to be the lead officer for school governance and admissions in Church of England schools across the Diocese and who will work closely with the Director and Deputy Director of Education.
The principal duties include:
- Provide expert advice and support on school admissions to headteachers and school governors.
- Advise on compliance and governance matters, including complaints and disciplinary issues.
- Develop and deliver training to governors and headteachers on admissions and governance.
- Manage the recruitment and appointment process of foundation governors.
- Work with the Deputy Director and School Effectiveness Team to address leadership and management issues in schools to help raise standards and improve outcomes for children.
Qualifications:
- Be educated to degree level (or equivalent) and with experience of being a school governor, clerk to governors or other relevant governance experience.
- Demonstrate up to date knowledge and understanding of education legislation and regulation related to admissions and governance for Church Schools and Multi-Academy Trusts.
- Be confident in planning and delivering high quality training to governors and headteachers.
- Build strong working relationships with a broad range of stakeholders, including governors, headteachers, academy partners and Local Authority officers.
- Demonstrate commitment to the aims and ethos of the Diocese of Chichester and represent the diocesan Education team professionally and positively.
As an employer, and as a Church House team, our mutual values at work are to be Respectful, Professional, Flexible and Supportive.
What we offer:
- A salary of £30,970 per annum (pro-rata FTE £44,242) for 26.25 hours per week (0.7) with flexibility to work over 3.5 or 4 days per week.
- Flexi-time and the opportunity to apply to use the DBF’s remote working policy to work from home for part of the week.
- A 0.7 pro-rata entitlement of 28 days of annual leave, plus bank holidays and two privilege days per year.
- Membership of the Church Worker’s Pension Scheme with a 15.1% employer contribution and an employee contribution between 0-6%.
- An employee assistance programme with access to counselling support, GP helpline, financial, legal and care advice and support.
- Free eye tests and employer contribution towards glasses.
- Free parking, and the ride to work scheme and development opportunities.
Chichester DBF 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 travel around the Diocese, some evening work and occasional work at weekends.
For an information conversation about the role please contact the Deputy Director of Education, Ruth Cumming (ruth.cumming@chichester.anglican.org). Please apply via Pathways by midnight on 1st March 2026. Interviews will be held at Church House, Hove on 16th March 2026.
For more information about the Education Team at the Diocese of Chichester please visit https://schools.chichester.anglican.org/
School Governance and Admissions Officer employer: Church of England
Contact Detail:
Church of England Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land School Governance and Admissions Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector, especially those involved with governance and admissions. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a recommendation.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the Diocese of Chichester and its schools. Understand their values and how you can contribute to their mission. Tailor your responses to show you're not just a fit for the role, but also for their ethos.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or family. Focus on articulating your experience with school governance and admissions clearly and confidently. The more you practice, the more comfortable you'll feel during the real deal.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Church House and contributing to the common good.
We think you need these skills to ace School Governance and Admissions Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. We want to see how your background aligns with the role of School Governance and Admissions Officer, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant expertise!
Show Your Passion: Let your enthusiasm for education and the values of the Diocese of Chichester shine through in your application. We’re looking for someone who is not just qualified but also genuinely committed to serving the common good and supporting our schools.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and structure your thoughts logically. This will help us easily understand your qualifications and how you can contribute to our team.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application via our website before the deadline! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly and is considered for the role. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Church of England
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest education legislation and regulations related to admissions and governance, especially for Church Schools. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you're not just knowledgeable but also genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past experiences as a school governor or in governance roles. Highlight how you've successfully navigated compliance issues or delivered training. This will help demonstrate your capability to handle the responsibilities of the position.
✨Build Rapport
During the interview, focus on building a connection with the interviewers. Discuss your commitment to the aims and ethos of the Diocese of Chichester and how you can contribute positively to the team. Strong interpersonal skills are key in this role!
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions about the role and the team dynamics. This shows that you're engaged and serious about the position. You might ask about the current challenges the Education Team is facing or how they measure success in governance and admissions.