School Governance and Admissions Officer

Lambeth Palace Library; Portslade by Sea; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - GBP 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A religious educational institution in Portslade by Sea seeks an experienced lead officer for school governance and admissions. The ideal candidate will have a degree and relevant governance experience. Responsibilities include providing advice to headteachers, managing recruitment of governors, and delivering training. The role offers a salary of £30,970 for part-time work, flexible hours, and a supportive working environment. Candidates must be committed to the institution's ethos and values.

Benefits

Flexi-time

28 days annual leave

Church Worker’s Pension Scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Free eye tests

Qualifications

• Experience as a school governor or clerk to governors.
• Understanding of admissions and governance for Church Schools.
• Confidence in engaging with stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert advice on school admissions.
• Advise on compliance and governance matters.
• Develop and deliver training for governors.

Skills

Expertise in school governance

Knowledge of education legislation

Ability to deliver training

Strong relationship building

Education

Degree level education

Job description

The Diocese of Chichester has 154 schools across Sussex working in partnership with our 360 parishes. Based at Church House in Hove, our vision for Education is to be “Deeply Christian, serving the common good.”

We wish to appoint a skilled and experienced team member to be the lead officer for school governance and admissions in Church of England schools across the Diocese and who will work closely with the Director and Deputy Director of Education.

Our principal duties include:

• Provide expert advice and support on school admissions to headteachers and school governors.
• Advise on compliance and governance matters, including complaints and disciplinary issues.
• Develop and deliver training to governors and headteachers on admissions and governance.
• Manage the recruitment and appointment process of foundation governors.
• Work with the Deputy Director and School Effectiveness Team to address leadership and management issues in schools to help raise standards and improve outcomes for children.

Our ideal candidate will:

• Be educated to degree level (or equivalent) and with experience of being a school governor, clerk to governors or other relevant governance experience.
• Demonstrate up to date knowledge and understanding of education legislation and regulation related to admissions and governance for Church Schools and Multi‑Academy Trusts.
• Be confident in planning and delivering high quality training to governors and headteachers.
• Build strong working relationships with a broad range of stakeholders, including governors, headteachers, academy partners and Local Authority officers.
>Demonstrate commitment to the aims and ethos of the Diocese of Chichester and represent the diocesan Education team professionally and positively.

For full details of the job please see the job description and person specification.

As an employer, and as a Church House team, our mutual values at work are to be Respectful, Professional, Flexible and Supportive.

What we offer:

• A salary of £30,970 per annum (pro‑rata FTE £44,242) for 26.25 hours per week (0.7) with flexibility to work over 3.5 or 4 days per week

• Flexi‑time and the opportunity to apply to use the DBF’s remote working policy to work from home for part of the week.
• A0.7 pro‑rata entitlement of 28 days of annual leave, plus bank holidays and two privilege days per year.
• Membership of the Church Worker’s Pension Scheme with a 15.1% employer contribution and an employee contribution between 0‑6%.
• An employee assistance programme with access to counselling support, GP helpline, financial, legal and care advice and support.
• Free eye tests and employer contribution towards glasses
• Free parking, and the ride to work schemeand development opportunities

Chichester DBF is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All post holders are expected to share this commitment and to comply with the relevant safeguarding policy. Our full safeguarding policy can be found here

This role is subject to an Enhanced DBS check and the post will involve travel around the Diocese, some evening work and occasional work at weekends

For an information conversation about the role please contact the Deputy Director of Education, Ruth Cumming ([e-mail])

Please apply via Pathways by midnight on 1st March 2026.

Interviews will be held at Church House, Hove on 16th March 2026.

For more information about the Education Team at the Diocese of Chichester please visit https://schools.chichester.anglican.org/