Director of Education Application Pack June 2018
Contents Recruitment Timeline 3 The Diocese of Bath and Wells 4 The Diocesan Education Function 5 Education Function Structure 7 Job Description 9 Person Specification 12 Main Terms and Conditions 14 Contact details Human Resources Ph: 01749 685 113 Email: recruitment@bathwells.anglican.org Dear applicant Thank you for your interest in the post of Director of Education with the Bath & Wells Diocesan Board of Finance (DBF). I am delighted to let you have details about the diocese and information about the post. We hope you find the application pack provides all the information you need in order to consider your candidature for this post. If, however, you have any further questions please initially contact Human Resources. Meanwhile, please find opposite, key dates for the appointment process. Should you decide to apply for this post we look forward to receiving your application and wish you well. Maria Webber HR Manager 2
Applications Applications must be received by Sunday 24 June 2018. Application forms, with a covering letter no more than one side of A4 describing what attracts you to this role should be returned to Human Resources either by post to The Diocesan Office, The Old Deanery, Wells, Somerset, BA5 2UG or by email to recruitment@bathwells.anglican.org. Shortlisting To ensure the fairness of the selection process, shortlisting will be based upon the information which you provide in your application and assumptions will not be made about your experience or skills. We will look for demonstrable evidence that you meet the criteria set out in the person specification. All applicants will be notified of the outcome of the shortlisting process. Information provided on the application form will be viewed by HR, the recruiting manager and interview panel. Interview Interviews will take place in Wells on 11 & 12 July 2018. Further details regarding the selection process will be communicated at the time applicants are invited for interview. Safeguarding We are committed to the safeguarding and protection of all children, young people and adults, and the care and nurture of children within our church communities. We will carefully select, train and support all those with any responsibility within the Church, in line with Safer Recruitment principles. This means that we will: Ensure that our recruitment and selection processes are inclusive, fair, consistent and transparent. Take all reasonable steps to prevent those who might harm children or adults from taking up, in our churches, positions of respect, responsibility or authority where they are trusted by others. Adhere to safer recruitment legislation, guidance and standards. Further information can be found in our Safeguarding Policy available on the diocesan website. All applicants are required to complete a Confidential Declaration Form as part of our recruitment process when an offer of employment is made. This form is strictly confidential and, except under compulsion of law, will be seen only by those involved in the recruitment/appointment process and, when appropriate, the nominated safeguarding lead or someone acting in a similar role/position. All forms will be kept securely in compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation, 2018. 3
The Diocese of Bath and Wells The Diocese of Bath and Wells is one of 41 Church of England dioceses in the country. The diocese stretches from Portishead in the north to Crewkerne in the south, Minehead in the west to Frome in the east. The diocese loves and serves the 940,000 people who live here through its family of 466 parishes and 181 church schools. This family works for the good of local communities in a range of practical as well as pastoral ways; caring for the vulnerable in our societies, supporting local families and encouraging children and young people. Everything the diocese does is underpinned by prayer and worship and is driven by our vision: In response to God s immense love for us, we seek to be God s people, living and telling the story of Jesus. If you are the called to this role, you will be arriving in the diocese at a time of significant change and you will have a unique role to play in the diocesan strategy, which has these three strategic priorities: To place mission and evangelism at the heart of all we do. To re-align our ministry resources towards mission. To identify, develop, and release the gifts of all our people. 4
The Diocesan Education Function The Diocesan Board of Education The Bath and Wells Education Function works under the strategic direction of the Diocesan Board of Education (DBE), which is a statutory body governed by the 1991 Measure. This group of people are appointed or elected by the Diocesan Synod or co-opted to the Board, and voluntarily offer a wide range of professional expertise. They are committed to seeing the Church taking a full and active part in education and also contribute to a small number of specialist committees and broader activities on behalf of the Board. Further information about the DBE s vision can be found on our website: http://www.bathandwells.org.uk/supportingchildren/our-approach/ The Education Function has responsibility for work with children and young people, primarily in Church of England schools and academies, and in voluntary groups within parishes and deaneries. The function oversees the development and support of educational chaplaincies and there are chaplains in each of our secondary schools/academies and Church of England chaplaincies working in Further Education Colleges, the University of Bath and Bath Spa University. Schools and Academies Two hundred years ago, the Church of England pioneered education for all, building a network of church schools across the nation that served their local communities. While education has changed almost beyond recognition, the original vision is still held and Church of England retains a large investment in teaching and learning, notably in this Diocese through its 181 schools and academies. Across our three local authorities over 50% of all primary provision is via Church of England schools/academies, with a single school inside the boundary of Dorset. There are, in addition, six secondary schools/academies and, within areas that operate a three-tier system, three C of E middle schools/academies, deemed secondary. In all, over 35,115 children and young people attend Church of England schools/academies across this Diocese. More than 800 people serve as Foundation Governors/Trustees in Church schools/academies and many more church members serve as Governors/Trustees in Church and Community schools/academies. 5
The Bath & Wells Multi Academy Trust In response to changes in legislation and in line with the Diocese s commitment to supporting church schools and seeking to put them at the heart of mission, the DBE has supported the establishment of a Diocesan Multi Academy Trust (MAT). Since 1 April 2013 20 primary schools have joined the MAT, with more (currently 17) waiting to join. This is a key strand to mission as the Diocese is most directly engaged with providing education. The Diocesan Director of Education set up this initiative and the Education Function is working in partnership with the growing team of MAT employees to deliver high quality and distinctively Christian education. Voluntary work with children and young people The Church of England collectively across the country is one of the largest providers of voluntary activities for children and young people. Based upon an audit undertaken in 2016, in this Diocese there are approximately 8,500 children and young people in over 320 voluntary churchbased groups on a weekly basis. This does not include things such as one-off events and holiday clubs. Of these, there are approximately 208 groups for children aged under 11 and 112 groups for young people aged 11+. Approximately 1,800 volunteer adults work with them in addition to 35 local paid workers. Youth and Children s Archdeaconry Go Teams Underpinning the Go Team is the challenge from Jesus in Matthew 28: 18-20 to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Each of the three archdeaconries has their own Youth and Children s Go Team Adviser who provides local support and resources for youth and children s ministry. Whilst the advisers are archdeaconry based for most of their time, they join together for diocesan-wide youth and children s initiatives, events and conferences. Central administration in Wells is available for the Go Team advisers, meaning the team is fully contactable and able to communicate what is happening in youth and children s ministry across the diocese. Funding Every day of the year the Church through its members is sponsoring and supporting learning and teaching. The Education Function s work is funded from regular parish giving, Trusts, Local Authorities and other specialist funding streams. Through its charged services the function also achieves significant income to support and develop its work. Further information For broader information about the Church of England s work in Education including the work of the National Society can be found at: http://www.churchofengland.org/education The Church of England nationally has produced a report entitled A Diocesan Board of Education for the Future which may be of further interest: http://www.churchofengland.org/media/1794108/cofe%20dbe%20future%20- %20final%20version.pdf 6
Education Function Structure Director of Education PA & Office Manager to Education School Effectiveness Lead (PT) School Organisation Lead (PT) Go Team Lead Primary Adviser School Org. & Governance Adviser Go Team Adviser Secondary Adviser (PT) School Org. & Governance Adviser Go Team Adviser School Improvement Adviser Academies Adviser (PT) Go Team Administrator (PT) School Improvement Adviser School Org. & SIAMS Administrator Chaplaincy Development Adviser Training Events & School Effectiveness Admin. (PT) Authorised Lay Ministers (x5, PT) 7
Committee Structure Executive Support Group (Standing Committee) Diocesan Board of Education School Effectiveness Working Group School Organisation Working Group Governance Working Group Children & Young People Working Group (Go Team) 8
Job Description POST: Director of Education Our vision In response to God s immense love for us, we seek to be God s people living and telling the story of Jesus. The Aim of the Education Function is to promote education and learning based on the Christian faith and its values so that children and young people may have life in all its fullness. The Church of England vision for Education is Deeply Christian, Serving the Common Good which expands on this vision of human flourishing. This is worked out theologically and educationally through 4 key strands: Wisdom Hope Community Dignity Key Purpose of the Post: The Director of Education is responsible for leading the Education function and the delivery of the departmental plan which supports the agreed diocesan vision and strategy and the Church of England vision for Education. Key Objectives: To be the Secretary to and senior executive of the Diocesan Board of Education To provide inspirational, strategic and spiritual leadership of the Education Function To ensure the delivery of a high quality service and engagement with schools, parishes and families which keeps children and young people as a key focus To champion the distinctive work and mission of the church in schools and academies within the diocese To build and strengthen strategic partnerships, being a representative and advocate for the diocese. Location: The Diocesan Office, Wells Reporting to: Subject to your obligation to report to and take direction from the Chair of the Board of Education regarding your duties as Secretary to the Board, your line manager shall be the Vice Chair of the Board (currently the Bishop of Taunton). Accountable to: The Bishop of Bath & Wells together with the Chair of the Diocesan Board of Education 9
Hours of work: This is a full time post Key relationships: Chair of the Diocesan Board of Education (DBE) Bishop of Bath & Wells and Bishop of Taunton The Diocesan Secretary & Heads of Functions Education Senior Leadership Team Archdeacons Strategic Programme Manager Local Authorities The National Church of England Education Office Anglican Diocesan Directors of Education Association (AADE) Ofsted The DfE including the Regional Schools Commissioner The Bath & Wells Multi-Academy Trust and their CEO Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs), CEOs, Members and Directors Church of England Schools Teaching School Alliances Main Responsibilities: Leadership of the Education Function 1. Working with stakeholders, to articulate, develop and promote a vision for Christian education in the Diocese in accordance with the Church of England Vision for Education and the diocesan strategy. 2. To articulate, advocate and implement the Diocesan Board of Education s (DBE) vision for education in schools, parishes and within the wider diocese. 3. To ensure that the DBE s strategic vision, priorities and objectives are translated into a coherent departmental plan, which is delivered and monitored effectively. 4. As a key leader within the diocesan support services and as member of the Heads of Function Group, to contribute to the strategic development and outworking of the diocesan strategy Living the Story, Telling the Story. 5. To advise the Bishops on all matters educational for the Diocese of Bath & Wells, which may include attendance as required at Bishop s Staff and Bishop s Council. 6. To lead and hold accountability for the education function in the implementation of the departmental plan and the outworking of the diocesan strategy and its impact for children and young people. 7. To oversee the work of the senior leadership team (SLT) providing support, encouragement and equipping senior leaders within the function to fulfill the strategic and operational functions of their respective posts. 8. To encourage and equip schools and parishes to develop a distinctive Christian ethos which benefits children, young people and families. 9. To attend the Strategic Programme Implementation Working Group (SPIG) as required. 10. To ensure that there is a comprehensive and effective programme of continuing professional development and performance management (positive appraisal) for all members of the central education team. 11. To prepare, manage and deliver the departmental budget, ensuring effective use of resources against the priorities of the departmental plan. 10
12. To identify opportunities for appropriate income generation including the submission of grant funding bids. 13. To ensure that the values and ethos of the DBE and the Christian faith are reflected in the work of the function and modelled at every level. Supporting the Diocesan Board of Education (DBE) and its committees To be the Secretary to and senior executive of the DBE and to support its work under the DBE 1991 Measure: 1. Advise the DBE in all matters regarding Education acts, statutory instruments and governmental orders 2. Advise on the development and implementation of the DBE s strategic vision and the Departmental Development Plan (DDP). 3. Ensure that the vision and values of the DBE are effectively communicated and upheld, promoting a distinctively Christian approach to education. 4. Understand and implement strategies which support ethos enhancing outcomes in order to achieve high outcomes and to continually improve educational provision in our schools. 5. Ensure strategies are in place to support vulnerable schools. 6. Develop and support strategies and partnerships which enable the sustainability and growth of the church school family including academies. Representation and Advocacy 1. Be the principal representative of the diocese in relation to education, raising awareness of the DBE and Education Function s profile and role in mission both within the Diocese and to external bodies. 2. Undertake the role of trustee for Educational Trusts, notably the St Matthias Trust, the Bath & Wells DBE Trust and trustee of Glastonbury Abbey. 3. To undertake the role of Member for (or delegate as appropriate) for multi-academy trusts (MATs) which are part of the diocesan family. 4. Actively seek out new connections that will promote and benefit the diocese. 5. Develop the skills, knowledge and competence of the central team and foundation representatives to become advocates for the importance and practical application of Christian education and to support their accountability for this responsibility. Partnerships 1. To develop and strengthen existing partnerships and to facilitate the development of further collaborative working in order to successfully fulfil the goals identified in the departmental plan 2. Represent the DBE at a strategic level to the Bath & Wells Multi Academy Trust, Ofsted, the Regional Schools Commissioner (RSC), the National Education Office, the DfE and other key stakeholders. 3. Facilitate good working relationships with all multi-academy trusts (MATs) within the diocese, in particular those which contain church schools. 4. To support foundation representatives to ensure that the Christian character of church schools within MATs is both sustained and developed. 5. Support and resource deaneries and parishes in their engagement with schools 6. Attend Diocesan events such as Diocesan Synod and National Events such as networking meetings, launches and conferences 11
Person Specification Area Essential Desirable Qualifications, Educated to degree level Qualified Teacher Status Knowledge & Experience Substantial experience in a senior leadership position in Education Post graduate study and/or qualifications Professional knowledge, experience and understanding of schools, primary and secondary, including the place of Christian distinctiveness within schools Ability to collate, analyse and present data in a variety of forms Experience of planning and Skills, Competencies & Abilities Professional knowledge, experience and understanding of wider community contexts that engage with young people, children and families Experience of leading and managing a team Demonstrable experience of developing and implementing successful strategy in a complex environment A deep understanding of mission and ministry among and by children and young people in the context of schools, churches and families A good understanding of the current national educational agenda and government policy Knowledge of the ethos and distinctiveness of Church schools, school governance, developing school effectiveness and the SIAMS and Ofsted inspection agendas Ability to plan and prioritise work with strong organisational and IT skills Strong collaborative and delegation skills Excellent communication skills including the ability to present to, engage and inspire a range of audiences Demonstrable ability to build strong relationships at all levels Politically astute with the ability to negotiate and influence ideas and opinions Demonstrable ability to build and develop partnerships with stakeholders Confidence to work in both a delivery of training Understanding of the structures and culture of the Church of England, parish and diocesan life Understanding of best practice in Christian voluntary activities with children & young people 12
Work Related Personal Qualities management and advisory capacity Able to develop others Ability to engage theologically across the spectrum of Anglican tradition and with other Christian denominations Resilient with the ability to work under pressure and to deadlines Ability to give expression to and be an advocate for Christian education in both statutory and voluntary sectors Commitment to the role that Church schools play in formal education and to raising standards in Church schools and to the wider mission of the Church Able to work with sensitivity, tact and flexibility Ability to delegate and empower others Understanding of safeguarding and data protection Willingness to work outside of normal working hours as required Ability to travel around the diocese including at short notice A Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) exists that the holder of this post is a practising Christian of a denomination which is a member of Churches Together in England. This post involves contact with children and other vulnerable groups. Accordingly, the appointee to this post will be subject to enhanced clearance through the Disclosure & Barring Service. 13
Main Terms and Conditions Hours of Work This is a full-time role. The nature of the role is such that the appointee will be expected to work such hours as are necessary for the effective performance of the job including attendance at some evening and weekend meetings. Core office hours are 9am until 5.15pm Monday to Thursday and from 9am to 5pm on Fridays with an hour unpaid lunch break taken as appropriate. (Full time hours are 36 hours per week) Starting Salary Pension Holiday Expenses Probation c. 65,000 per annum. Pension Scheme administered by the Church of England Pensions Board. The employer will contribute 10% of the employee s pensionable salary and the employee may choose to make an additional voluntary contribution of any proportion of their pensionable salary. 25 days per calendar year plus bank holidays. The holiday year runs from 1 January to 31 December. Additional discretionary days may be given at Christmas and Easter. All reasonable working expenses will be met at the agreed Diocesan rates. Support is available for moving expenses for those relocating for the role. This post will be subject to a probationary period. 14