Director of Schools

Looking for a fresh challenge and a fulfilling vocation?

The Bishop of Shrewsbury, The Rt. Revd. Mark Davies, is seeking to appoint a Director of Schools as a key member of his senior diocesan leadership team.

The Diocese of Shrewsbury is situated across the regions across Cheshire, Shropshire and parts of Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Derbyshire, serving over 170,000 of the faithful in 89 Parishes.

The Shrewsbury Diocesan Education Service has oversight of 109 schools (87 Primary, 21 Secondary and one Sixth Form College). Bishop Mark has requested that all schools in the Diocese will progress towards forming and joining one of three multi-academy trusts. This work is well underway, with the three regional MATs already up and running.

At a pivotal time in Catholic education within the Diocese, Bishop Mark is calling for a visionary Director of Schools who, along with a capable and committed education team, will help realise the enormous potential within a forward-thinking diocesan family of schools working in solidarity with one another.

As Director of Education, you will:

·      Promote and implement the Bishop’s vision for Catholic education within the Diocese

·      Build capacity, trust and good relationships within the diocesan family of schools; encouraging collaboration to develop and sustain school improvement, and raise aspirations

·      Confidently and enthusiastically articulate the role of Catholic education in the mission of the Church and be an effective witness to it

We are looking for someone who has:

·      Extensive leadership experience in an education context, whether as a senior school leader, or local authority/SIP partner

·      A strong grasp of current educational issues (including MATs’ evolving role within the parish, diocese and local community)

·      Excellent leadership and management skills – the ability to communicate a clear vision, win trust, influence and respect and bring people with you

·      A deep knowledge and understanding of Catholic education as structured in this country

Now is a moment of real opportunity within the educational and Catholic life of the Diocese, which makes this post an extremely attractive and rewarding career opportunity.

A requirement of the post is that applicants must be practising Catholics.

Closing: Monday 2 December at 5pm

Shortlisting: Tuesday 3 December

Interviews: Tuesday 10 and Wednesday 11 December

For an initial informal chat (in complete confidence) please call Liam Dowds, our Emmaus Advising Consultant, on 01737 652 043 or email him ldowds@emmausleadership.me for a candidate pack and application form.

The Diocese of Shrewsbury is an equal opportunities employer and committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. DBS check required.