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: Flexible working hours, competitive salary, generous leave, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in education while working closely with passionate educators and leaders.
- Qualifications: Degree level education and experience in school governance or related fields required.
- Other info: Opportunity for professional development and a commitment to safeguarding children.
The predicted salary is between 30970 - 30970 £ 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.
Principal duties
- 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.
Our ideal candidate will
- 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.
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. Please apply via Pathways by midnight on 1st March 2026. Interviews will be held at Church House, Hove on 16th March 2026.
School Governance and Admissions Officer in England employer: The Church of England
Contact Detail:
The Church of England Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land School Governance and Admissions Officer in England
✨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 ethos and values, so you can show how you align with their mission during your interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions related to governance and admissions. We suggest doing mock interviews with friends or mentors to build confidence and refine your answers.
✨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.
We think you need these skills to ace School Governance and Admissions Officer in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Know Your Stuff: Make sure you’re clued up on the latest education legislation and governance matters. We want to see that you’ve got the knowledge to back up your application, especially when it comes to admissions in Church Schools.
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic CV and cover letter! We love it when candidates personalise their applications to reflect how their experience aligns with our values and the specific role. Show us why you’re the perfect fit for this position!
Showcase Your Training Skills: Since delivering training is a key part of the role, highlight any relevant experience you have in this area. We want to know how you can engage and support governors and headteachers effectively.
Apply Through Our Website: Remember to submit your application via our website before the deadline! It’s the best way to ensure we receive your details and can consider you for this exciting opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at The 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 to share specific examples from your past experiences as a school governor or in similar roles. Highlight how you've successfully navigated governance issues or improved outcomes in schools. This will demonstrate your capability and readiness for the position.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you can build strong relationships with various stakeholders like headteachers and governors. Be ready to discuss your approach to collaboration and how you would foster these connections within the Diocese of Chichester.
✨Training is Key
Since delivering training is part of the job, prepare to talk about your experience in this area. Consider outlining a brief training plan or session you could deliver to governors and headteachers, showcasing your ability to communicate complex information clearly and effectively.