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For Companies At a Glance
- 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 in education while working in a supportive, faith-driven environment.
- Qualifications: Must be a practising Christian with experience in school leadership.
- Other info: This role requires travel across the Diocese and an Enhanced DBS check.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 58000 £ per year.
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 a hybrid-working role offering flexible working and can be either full or part-time.
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 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 offers 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.
School Effectiveness Officer employer: Diocese of Chichester
Contact Detail:
Diocese of Chichester Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land School Effectiveness 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 approach and demonstrate your commitment during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former School Effectiveness Officers or similar roles within the Diocese. Engaging in conversations can provide insights into the expectations and challenges of the position, which can be invaluable during your interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific strategies you've implemented in previous roles that led to school improvement. Highlighting measurable outcomes will showcase your effectiveness and experience in driving educational excellence.
✨Tip Number 4
Demonstrate your ability to build strong professional relationships by preparing examples of how you've successfully collaborated with school leaders. This will show your capability to support and challenge them effectively.
We think you need these skills to ace School Effectiveness Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to grasp the responsibilities and expectations of a School Effectiveness 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.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: In your application, provide concrete examples of how you've built strong professional relationships and held leaders accountable. This will demonstrate your ability to navigate challenging conversations with sensitivity.
How to prepare for a job interview at Diocese of Chichester
✨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.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
As an experienced Headteacher, highlight specific examples of how you've successfully delivered school improvement and educational excellence. Be ready to discuss challenges you've faced and how you overcame them.
✨Demonstrate Relationship-Building Skills
The role requires building strong professional relationships. Prepare examples of how you've effectively communicated with senior leaders and held them accountable while maintaining sensitivity and understanding.
✨Prepare for Questions on Christian Distinctiveness
Since the role involves advising on the development of the distinctive Christian character in schools, be ready to discuss your own faith journey and how it informs your approach to education and school improvement.
