DIOCESE OF SHREWSBURY
Job Title:
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SCHOOLS (PRIMARY)
Department:
Vicariate for Education
Responsible to:
Director of Schools
Location:
Curial Offices, Prenton,
Wirral
Travel required:
Yes
Position Type:
Full time
Permanent contract
(subject to completion of
satisfactory probationary
period)
Hours of Work:
Flexible working
required. Some
evenings and
weekends will be
required. Time off in
lieu will be given.
Remuneration and
pension
arrangements:
Remuneration package dependent on relevant experience, circa £52,000 £62,000 plus entry into Diocesan Pension Scheme.
Package can include any combination of salary, additional contributions to
maintain existing superannuation arrangements, BUPA cover, or employer
provided car.
Holidays
term time only
Closing Date for
Noon – Friday 24th October 2014
applications
Applications Accepted by:
Mr D J Cunningham
Director of Schools
Diocese of Shrewsbury
Tel:
0151 652 9855
2 Park Road South
Fax:
0151 653 5172
Prenton
Email: damian.cunningham@dioceseofshrewsbury.org
CH43 4UX
Job Description
Job Purpose:
The Diocese of Shrewsbury is seeking to recruit an exceptional individual to assist in leading and
developing the Diocesan policy and strategy for Catholic schools and colleges, with specific
attention to the Primary sector.
The successful applicant will provide leadership, vision, professional advice and strategic direction,
to support the statutory and canonical work of the Bishop, Diocesan Trustees and Director of
Schools in promoting and safeguarding the interests of Catholic Education and ensuring the
highest standards in Catholic schools and colleges.
Job Description:
As the successful applicant:
 You will be a practising Catholic with a commitment to the Spiritual Life of the Church.
 You will have an understanding of the teachings of the Catholic Church especially in its
directives regarding the purpose and practice of Catholic Education.
 You will be able to demonstrate excellent knowledge of Catholic Education and Catholic
Teaching on Education.
 You will have substantial experience as a senior leader in a primary school and will have a good
understanding of Local Authority and national government structures and responsibilities for
schools and colleges.
Strategic direction and development
By monitoring and evaluating the work of the Diocesan Schools Service, the Assistant Director will
support the Director of Schools in advising the Bishop of Shrewsbury and the Trustees on both
present and anticipated needs of schools and colleges within the Diocese and implement the
Diocesan vision for schools and colleges.
The Assistant Director will:
 Work to ensure compliance with the legal responsibilities of the Bishop and Diocesan Trustees
and ensure that the rights of Catholic schools and colleges in the Diocese of Shrewsbury are
promoted and safeguarded in the context of both national and local government structures.
 Advise on the formulation of Diocesan policies for education in schools and colleges and ensure
they are effectively implemented and regularly monitored.
 Maintain an understanding and awareness of changes in practices and techniques in education
and be responsive to the development of relevant legislation.
 Promote a culture of constructive engagement with central government and Local Authorities
and other strategic partners to ensure effective relationships are sustained.
 Represent or organise the representation of the Diocese during the appointment of
headteachers and deputy headteachers at all Diocesan schools and colleges.
 Represent the Bishop and Trustees with key stakeholders or partners including national
meetings with the Catholic Education Service and local, inter-diocesan meetings.
 Advise the Director of Schools, Diocesan Trustees, school governors and headteachers on
issues relating to co-ordinating capital development projects and to support the process of
funding applications.
 Advise the Director of Schools and Diocesan Trustees on issues relating to the performance of
diocesan schools and school improvement and support for school improvement.
Educational provision and development
Under the leadership of Director of Schools the Assistant Director of Schools will maintain and
develop a supportive environment for Catholic schools and colleges, for governors, headteachers,
senior management and teachers and all those involved in Catholic Education. Catholic schools
are not only characterised as an educating community but as a place where young people can
build interpersonal relationships and skills that vivify the school community. As such the Diocese
aims to develop and maintain a provision which addresses the education needs of every child.
The Assistant Director will:
 Seek to support governors, headteachers and all personnel in schools and colleges to preserve
and enhance both Catholic identify and the delivery of Religious Education.
 Through the activities of the Schools Service ensure support for school and college governors,
members of school and college management teams, Religious Education teachers, school and
college chaplains and other by the planning and delivery of leadership or training programmes
designed to develop leadership in Catholic education for the future.
 With the Episcopal Vicar and Director of Schools, ensure the support of the ‘network of
relationships’ which hold Catholic schools in unity of purpose and to be an effective vehicle for
the evangelisation in the Diocese of Shrewsbury and beyond.
The Assistant Director will:
 Develop and foster a strong working relationship with the Episcopal Vicar, Director of Schools
and members of the Schools Service to ensure the effective management of the Department.
Skills/Qualifications
Faith Commitment and qualifications
The successful candidate will:
 Be a committed practising Roman Catholic with a strong personal faith.
 Demonstrate a working knowledge of the theological understanding of Catholic Education.
Experience
The successful candidate will have:
 Extensive and successful experience in education with substantial experience at a senior level
in a Primary school and /or LA setting
 Evidence of on-going professional development and work supporting other schools
 A good understanding of Local Authority structures and responsibilities.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
The successful candidate will have:
 A graduate degree (or equivalent) and evidence of continuing personal development.
 Knowledge and understanding of Church development and thinking.
 Knowledge and understanding of current and proposed education legislation.
 Knowledge of education reform, particularly in relation to the primary sector.
 An ability to analyse and interpret school performance data
 A thorough understanding of schools, teaching and the education system in England.
The successful candidate will:
 Have substantial leadership experience within a primary school and/or LA setting, along with the
ability to work well as part of a wider team.
 Be highly motivated with appropriate self-management skills including time management,
planning and establishing priorities.
 Be able to think and act creatively, strategically and collaboratively.
 Be a credible Catholic witness in the world of education within the Diocese and with our eleven
Local Authority partners and have excellent communication and highly effective negotiation
skills in order to communicate Diocesan values and principles to the Local Authorities and
elected members.
 Be able to articulate the mission of the Church in Education in a variety of settings and have the
ability to relate to a wide range of people including clergy, headteachers, teachers, governors,
Local Authority officers and representatives of the DfE.
 Possess appropriate administrative, organisational and leadership skills.
 Be able to lead and manage substantial changes.
Other requirements
 Able to work flexibly to respond to the needs of the key stakeholders.
 Able to work effectively, both independently and collaboratively.
 Able to manage life/work balance in self and Schools Service staff.
Confidential References and Reports
 Two professional and one faith reference are required.
 References will confirm professional and personal knowledge, skills and abilities as referred to
above.
 This position is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure by the Disclosure & Barring Service.
Other information:
 This position is subject to completion of an initial probationary period of three months.
 A driving licence and access to a vehicle will be required along with the ability to travel regularly
to various parts of the Diocese. Travel expenses are paid at agreed national rates.
The RC Diocese of Shrewsbury is a registered charity No. 234025