School Development Adviser

Overview

The Diocese of York Education team supports 125 Church of England academies and schools located in seven local authorities between the Humber and the Tees.

We promote education consistent with the faith and practice of the Church of England, with specific responsibilities for supporting Church schools and academies and their governors.  We work with a wide range of bodies on any matter affecting Church schools and academies, their performance, their Christian ethos and their buildings. 

Based at our Diocesan office at Clifton Moor, York, the team is currently made up of full- and part-time officers, who also work regularly with a number of consultants and other educational partners.  As a provider of schools and academies, the Diocese is increasingly held to account for their standards, so the shape of the team is evolving to ensure that it includes significant expertise in the field of school improvement.  

Introduction

We have a fantastic opportunity for somebody with a strong track record in delivering school improvement to help Church of England schools across the Diocese develop their distinctive Christian character.  You will offer challenge and support, and be well-placed to have a positive impact on outcomes for children and young people.

You will be a qualified teacher, and have leadership experience in a school or academy context. You will bring the interpersonal skills needed to advise, influence and facilitate, backed by a sound understanding of developments in education. You will demonstrate a strong personal commitment to promoting education with a Christian purpose.

This is a part-time role (21 hours per week).  The post is based at our modern, open-plan office at Clifton Moor, York (close to York's northern ring road), where we have our own free car park. The role involves frequent travel across our diocese.

Main Responsibilities

In aiming to provide timely support for our schools and academies, the remit of the education team includes:

• Having a pastoral concern for the staff, governors and pupils of the schools and academies;
• Providing professional advice and assistance in the areas listed within our service level agreement;
• Brokering school improvement services and signposting school leaders to wider health and well-being support as required;
• Delivering the services listed within the service level agreement upon request to a high professional standard;
• Responding promptly and courteously to requests for assistance;
• Acting with discretion and safeguarding confidentiality;
• Being responsive to individual schools and their distinctive ethos;
• Acting with integrity and in accordance with Christian beliefs and values;
• Promoting at all times the Church of England foundation and Christian ethos of the school.

The Ideal Candidate

• Demonstrate a strong personal commitment to promoting education with a Christian purpose, and an understanding of the Church of England’s Vision for Education:  Deeply Christian, Serving the Common Good.
• Qualified teacher status, together with a degree or equivalent qualification, and a commitment to continued professional development.
• Leadership experience in a school or academy context, including experience of leading training.
• Awareness of the value of Collective Worship and its role in enhancing the spiritual life of the school, as well as awareness of the SIAMS inspection framework.
• Good understanding of curriculum and leadership (including governance), particularly in the primary phase, including issues relating to Religious Education and the provision for pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.
• Sound understanding of developments in education, including around public policy and the growth of Multi Academy Trusts (MATS); and of principles around self-evaluation and school improvement.

About us

Deadline for applications is midnight on Monday 25 March 2019.

The selection process is scheduled to take place in York on Friday 5 April 2019.

Full details about this opportunity can be found in the attached job pack.

For an informal conversation please contact Andrew Smith, Director of Education, email andrew.smith@yorkdiocese.org,or call 01904 699512.

The Diocese of York is a family of 607 churches and 125 schools in 470 parishes, which extends from Middlesbrough on the River Tees to Hull on the River Humber, and from the east coast of Yorkshire about as far west as the A1 road.

Led and guided by the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, our vision is to be a family of Generous Churches Making and Nurturing Disciples. We are currently working through a Diocesan Strategy that focuses on:

• Reaching those we currently don't
• Moving to Growth
• Achieving sustainable finances

Our official website can be found here: http://dioceseofyork.org.uk/