Deputy Director of Education

Are you an experienced educational leader with a passion for supporting schools to flourish in their Christian distinctiveness and academic excellence? Do you have the vision and expertise to help shape the future of Church of England education across the Diocese of Rochester? The Diocese of Rochester is seeking a Deputy Director of Education to provide strategic leadership for Church of England schools and academies. Working closely with the Diocesan Director of Education, you will play a pivotal role in developing standards, promoting Christian distinctiveness, and ensuring the effective implementation of national inspection frameworks. This is a key leadership post for someone with the insight, creativity, and faith commitment to strengthen education across our schools and to ensure every child and young person can thrive. About the Role You will lead on school effectiveness, Christian distinctiveness, and inspection readiness, providing advice, challenge, and support to school leaders and governors. Your key responsibilities will include: Providing strategic leadership for standards and Christian distinctiveness across Church of England schools and academies Overseeing and monitoring the implementation of national inspection frameworks (SIAMS and Ofsted) Designing and delivering high-quality CPD and training programmes for schools and academies Advising schools on self‑evaluation, leadership development, and improvement planning Representing the Diocese in leadership recruitment, SACREs, and local authority or trust meetings Leading Diocesan events for Church schools, including the annual Church Schools’ Celebration Supporting the appointment, induction, and development of school leaders Advising on school governance, admissions, and policy compliance Deputising for the Director of Education when required, and representing the Board of Education at key meetings Leading on school effectiveness reporting and contributing to the formulation of strategy and budgets About You An experienced senior leader in primary and/or secondary education with a proven record of driving improvement Educated to degree level and able to think theologically about education and leadership Deeply knowledgeable about Ofsted and SIAMS frameworks and their application in Church schools A strategic thinker with strong project management, organisational, and communication skills Confident in working collaboratively with a range of stakeholders across schools, trusts, dioceses, and local authorities An inspiring communicator who can engage, motivate, and challenge school leaders Resilient, adaptable, and able to manage multiple priorities effectively Committed to the values of the Church of England and the Diocese’s Called Together vision Willing to travel throughout the Diocese, with some evening and weekend commitments An enhanced DBS check will be required. There is an Occupational Requirement (OR) for the postholder to be a communicant member of the Church of England (or a Church in communion with it, or a member Church of the Churches Together in England, Council of Churches for Britain and Ireland, or the Evangelical Alliance). What we can offer Flexible working, hybrid working and TOIL Generous holiday entitlement Contributory pension scheme Access to an Employee Assistance Programme and counselling service The Diocese is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All post holders and volunteers are expected to share this commitment. The wider a group’s diversity, the smarter, wiser, and more compassionate and creative its decision making becomes. We are committed to achieving diversity throughout our Diocese by seeking UKME/GMH colleagues and those from a wide range of backgrounds, to help us create a culture of inclusion and belonging. If you have any questions about the role or application process, please contact the HR department at recruitment@rochester.anglican.org Closing date for applications: Sunday 7 December 2025Interviews will be held on: Thursday 18 December 2025 #J-18808-Ljbffr