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- Tasks: Support schools in East Sussex with improvement strategies and Ofsted preparations.
- Company: Join the Diocese of Chichester, serving over 155 Church of England schools.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, 28 days annual 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 as a Headteacher or in school improvement.
- Other info: This role offers hybrid working and is open to part-time applicants.
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 organisation's 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.
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 a 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 a 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 will help you align your experience and beliefs with the role, making you a more appealing candidate.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former School Effectiveness Officers or similar roles within church schools. They can provide valuable insights into the expectations and challenges of the position, which can help you prepare for interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully led school improvement initiatives in the past. Highlighting measurable outcomes will demonstrate your effectiveness and suitability for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your commitment to Christian values and how they influence your approach to education. This is crucial for a role that requires a practising Christian, so be ready to articulate your beliefs and how they shape your professional practice.
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 duties such as providing support to school leaders and developing effective processes for school improvement.
Tailor Your CV: Ensure your CV reflects your experience as a Headteacher or in similar roles. Emphasise your achievements in delivering school improvement and educational excellence, and include any relevant qualifications that align with the requirements of the position.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for education and your commitment to the Christian ethos of the Church of England schools. Mention specific examples of how you've built professional relationships and supported school leaders in the past.
Highlight Your Values: In your application, make sure to express your alignment with the organisation's values of being Respectful, Professional, Flexible, and Supportive. This will demonstrate that you are a good cultural fit for the team.
How to prepare for a job interview at Diocese of Chichester
✨Understand the Role and Responsibilities
Make sure you thoroughly read the job description and understand the key responsibilities of a School Effectiveness Officer. Be prepared to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs, particularly in supporting school improvement and Christian distinctiveness.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
As an experienced Headteacher, highlight specific examples of how you've successfully led school improvements. Discuss any strategies you've implemented that resulted in measurable outcomes, especially in church schools or similar environments.
✨Demonstrate Your Commitment to Christian Values
Since this role requires a practising Christian, be ready to articulate your faith and how it informs your approach to education. Share experiences where you've integrated spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development into your leadership.
✨Prepare for Challenging Conversations
The role involves holding senior leaders accountable. Think of examples where you've had to navigate difficult discussions with sensitivity. Prepare to explain your approach to building strong professional relationships while maintaining high standards.
