Wells Cathedral
Application Pack
Education Officer
January 2014
Wells Cathedral
Dear applicant
Thank you for your interest in the post of Education Officer (Temporary Contract to cover
Maternity Leave) with Wells Cathedral.
I am delighted to let you have details about the Cathedral and information about the post.
I hope you find this pack provides all the information you need in order to consider your
application for this post. If, however, you have any further questions please initially contact
Maria Webber (tel. 01749 685113 or email Maria.Webber@bathwells.anglican.org) who will
redirect you to the appropriate person. Meanwhile, I am providing below key dates for the
appointment process.
Applications
Applications must be received by 12 noon Friday 24th January 2014. Application forms, with a
covering letter no more than one side of A4 describing what attracts you to this role, your
experience and how it relates to the opportunities and challenges presented by this position,
should be returned to Mrs Debbie Jones, PA to the Administrator, either by post to Cathedral
Offices, Chain Gate, Cathedral Green, Wells, BA5 2UE or by email to
administratorsec@wellscathedral.uk.net
Shortlisting
Short listing will take place on Monday 27th January. 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.
Activities/Interview
These will take place in the Cathedral Offices, Wells on Wednesday 12th February 2014.
Further details regarding the selection process will be communicated at the time applicants
are invited for interview. The appointment will be subject to satisfactory references and an
enhanced CRB check. We will contact referees to provide references prior to interview
therefore please notify us if you do not wish for your referees to be contacted.
Should you decide to apply for this post we look forward to receiving your application.
Yours sincerely
Miranda Young
Outreach & Learning Group Manager
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Wells Cathedral
The Cathedral
Wells Cathedral is an exciting and dynamic place, provoking a deep spiritual awareness and
hosting a wide range of musical and other activities. Each year well over a 1,000 services take
place; 150,000 people per year come to services, concerts and other events. We have about
300,000 visitors per year who come from both Britain and overseas.
Outreach & Learning
In 2012 over 5,000 school children visited the cathedral, 86% coming directly through the
Education Department. An ever-increasing number of groups book a programmed day.
Successful partnerships with the Diocesan Education Team and local heritage sites have
resulted in annual collaborative events. The Cathedral Education Department has a reputation
for quality experience.
The Cathedral runs a series of lectures for adults during Lent and the autumn. Currently, every
Wednesday during school holidays activities are offered for families. The Music Department
presents significant outreach opportunities, and members of staff from many fields give talks
in the region.
The Education Officer reports to the Outreach & Learning Group Manager, along with a parttime Librarian and a part-time Archivist. The Cathedral maintains a medieval library, Historical
Collections of Books and Manuscripts and Cathedral records dating back to 1060.
The Cathedral is held in high esteem by organisations within Somerset and major civic events
take place in it. We are taking positive steps to remain accessible, investing in people and
looking at new ways to reach out to the varied communities that the Cathedral serves.
The Cathedral is committed to providing relevant interpretation and learning opportunities for
four audiences: schools, adults, families and communities. The Outreach and Learning Team
work across these groups, with cross-departmental initiatives complimenting the range.
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Wells Cathedral
JOB DESCRIPTION
POST:
Education Officer
KEY PURPOSE OF POST:
To develop, organise and deliver activities in line with the Cathedral’s strategy for Outreach &
Learning.
LOCATION:
Cathedral Offices, Chain Gate, Cathedral Green, Wells, BA5 2UE
REPORTING TO:
Outreach & Learning Group Manager
HOURS OF WORK: Part-time, the equivalent of 2.5 days a week throughout the year
SALARY:
£27,800 pro rata (Actual salary: £13,900)
CONTRACT:
Temporary contract to cover maternity leave
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
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To lead educational visits, tours and workshops and manage the educational visits’
booking procedures.
To develop materials and resources, for use with and by visitors and educational
establishments, and to provide information in response to email enquiries.
To liaise with the Diocesan Education Department in organising joint children’s events,
such as The Children’s Festival, Leavers’ Days and First Schools Days.
To organise occasional age, theme or subject specific events, such as Sixth Form
Conferences.
To give presentations to a variety of audiences, adapting style and content appropriately.
To pilot new events and activities, including collaborative events with other sites.
To contribute to the development and delivery of learning opportunities for other
audiences, including holiday activities for families, or community events.
To further the operation of the Cathedral’s education work making appropriate use of
existing and emerging technologies, liaising with the Communications Officer.
To recruit, train and manage volunteers to assist with the education programme.
To collate, analyse and apply feedback on the work of the department, and contribute
to Outreach and Learning strategy planning sessions.
To create and update policies relevant to the operation of the department.
To undertake relevant training and professional development, including keeping abreast
of educational initiatives, First Aid, Safeguarding/Child Protection.
To plan and manage the department budget, anticipate financial needs, source
competitive supplies, manage stock levels.
The above is not an exhaustive list and you may be expected to perform different tasks
necessitated by the cathedral’s evolving role and ministry.
SCOPE OF POST (Impact):
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Currently the Cathedral welcomes over 5000 school children each year. This post aims to
promote the Cathedral as a place to visit and as an education resource, opening up the
potential of the Cathedral as a learning resource for all ages and backgrounds.
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Wells Cathedral
PERSON SPECIFICATION:
Education Officer
Key Criteria
Essential
Desirable
Qualifications and Experience
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Degree or equivalent
Teaching experience or
experience delivering
education activities for
school groups
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Excellent communication
skills – both verbally and
in writing
Creative and innovative
focus to develop resources
for use in interpretation
and learning situations
Excellent organisational
skills
Proven administrative
ability and competence in
MS Office products.
Ability to research and
apply information
appropriately to differing
audiences
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Skills and Abilities
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Work-related Personal
Qualities
 Effective interpersonal
skills, building and
maintaining good working
relationships with others to
work as part of a team
 Ability to be self-motivated
and work under pressure,
keeping calm and focused.
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Relevant teaching
qualification
Knowledge of church
organisation, liturgy and
practices
Practising Christian
Experience of heritage
interpretation, engaging
with a variety of
audiences
Good understanding of
the National Curriculum
The ability to lead and
motivate a team
Understanding of
contemporary culture
Proficiency with current
and emerging
technologies and their
applications
Flexibility
This post involves contact with children and other vulnerable groups. Accordingly, the
appointee to this post will be subject to enhanced clearance through the Criminal Records
Bureau.
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Wells Cathedral
Main Terms and Conditions
Hours of Work
2.5 days (17.5 hours) per week.
Core office hours are 9am until 5pm Monday to Friday with a
lunch break taken as appropriate.
Salary
Starting salary of £13,900 per annum
Contract
Temporary contract to cover maternity leave
Pension
Defined Contribution Scheme. Contributions as % of salary:
Age
<50
Holiday
Employee Employer
2.5%
5%
50-55
4%
8%
>55
5%
10%
25 days per calendar year plus bank holidays pro-rata.
The holiday year runs from 1 January to 31 December.
Location
The Cathedral Office, Wells,
Expenses
All reasonable working expenses will be met in line with
Cathedral policy
Probation
This post will be subject to a probationary period
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