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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Support and train church school leaders to enhance educational excellence.
- Company: Join the Diocese of Chichester, serving 155 church schools with a Christian ethos.
- Benefits: Enjoy remote work options, 28 days leave, flexi-time, and a generous pension scheme.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in education while living out your faith in a supportive community.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience in school improvement and a commitment to Christian values required.
- Other info: This role requires a practicing Christian and involves travel across the Diocese.
The predicted salary is between 44000 - 46400 £ per year.
Job Description
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.
School Improvement Officer employer: NFP People
Contact Detail:
NFP People Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land School Improvement Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with the specific educational frameworks and standards set by the Diocese of Chichester. Understanding their vision and how it translates into practice will help you align your experience with their expectations.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former School Improvement Officers within the Diocese. They can provide valuable insights into the role and share experiences that could enhance your understanding and approach during the interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully led school improvement initiatives in the past. Highlight your experience with Ofsted and SIAMS processes, as this will demonstrate your capability to support schools effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your commitment to the Christian ethos in education. Be ready to articulate how your faith informs your approach to leadership and school improvement, as this is a key aspect of the role.
We think you need these skills to ace School Improvement Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Take time to thoroughly read the job description and person specification. Understand the key responsibilities and required qualifications for the School Improvement Officer position, especially the focus on Christian distinctiveness and school improvement.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your application, emphasize your experience as a head teacher or in similar roles. Provide specific examples of how you have successfully delivered school improvement and educational excellence, particularly in church schools.
Demonstrate Your Commitment: Clearly express your commitment to the ethos and values of the Diocese of Chichester. Share your theological knowledge and understanding, and how it informs your approach to education and leadership.
Tailor Your Application: Customize your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific requirements of the role. Use keywords from the job description, such as 'SIAMS', 'Ofsted', and 'Collective Worship', to demonstrate your alignment with the position.
How to prepare for a job interview at NFP People
✨Show Your Passion for Education
Make sure to express your genuine passion for educational excellence and the Christian ethos. Share specific examples of how you've contributed to school improvement in previous roles, emphasizing your commitment to serving the common good.
✨Demonstrate Your Leadership Experience
Highlight your experience as a head teacher or in a senior leadership role. Discuss your proven track record in delivering school improvement and how you have effectively led teams to achieve educational goals.
✨Be Prepared for Questions on Ofsted and SIAMS
Since the role involves supporting schools with Ofsted and SIAMS inspections, be ready to discuss your up-to-date knowledge of these processes. Provide examples of how you've helped schools prepare for inspections and improve their standards.
✨Align with the Diocese's Vision
Familiarize yourself with the Diocese of Chichester's vision and values. During the interview, articulate how your personal beliefs and professional experiences align with their mission to help people know, love, and follow Jesus.
