Head of FLOURISH (Worshipping Communities in Schools/Colleges)
Please Note: The application deadline for this post has now passed.
Post Introduction
Our Belonging and Inclusion Strategy aims for everyone in the National Church Institutions (NCIs) to feel that they belong, and are valued for who they are and what they contribute. Together, our people contribute in different ways towards our common purpose, whichever NCI they work in and whatever their background.
The Church of England’s Vision and Strategy for the 2020s has three priorities, one of which is to be a church which is younger and more diverse. As part of this, the House of Bishops want to ensure that a flourishing children, youth and families ministry is within reach of every young person in England. The Church of England Education Office works with the 4,600 Church of England schools which we serve. As we further develop the church’s mission to this network of schools, we are growing our capacity to oversee the implementation of the ’FLOURISH’ network of worshipping communities in one in ten of our schools by 2030. Significant national funding has been allocated to launch a wide range of pilot locations for FLOURISH in primary/secondary schools, MATs and FE Colleges, in partnership with Dioceses. The work of FLOURISH will be overseen by a Project Board, chaired by Rt Revd Andy Emerton, Bishop of Sherwood, reporting to both The National Society Council (trustees for our work in Education) and the Archbishops’ Council (trustees overseeing work on the national vision and strategy).
The Church of England Education Office has three core priorities within its mission to implement the Church of England Vision for Education – ‘Deeply Christian, Serving the Common Good’. These three priorities are Developing Leaders, Shaping Policy and Growing Faith. Our work is both with the 4600 Church of England schools which we serve, and also within the wider education sector.
Introduction
As Head of FLOURISH (Worshipping Communities in Schools/Colleges) you will lead the implementation of the ‘FLOURISH’ network of worshipping communities in schools/FE colleges across the country, working in partnership with Dioceses to ensure that children and young people in education settings are instinctively at the heart of their mission, vision and strategy.
You will manage an effective pilot programme in 40 locations from Autumn 2024, leading to significant growth in engagement and implementation by 2030, and ensure strong partnership working across other national church departments, and effective integration with the Growing Faith Foundation and Archbishops’ Young Leaders Award.
You will be based from home (from a location in the UK) with some mandatory team days to attend.
The working hours for this post are 35 hours per week and the working arrangements will be discussed further at interview.
This post is offered on a fixed term contract expected to last for 2 years initially, subject to review.
This post is subject to an occupational requirement that the holder be a communicant Anglican under Part 1 of Schedule 9 to the Equality Act 2010 as the post holder will represent the Church of England at senior level.
For an informal conversation please contact andy.wolfe@churchofengland.org
The closing date for applications is Monday 15 April 2024.
First stage interviews will take place on Monday 22 April 2024 online.
Second stage interviews will take place on Thursday 25 April 2024 in Church House, Westminster.
The Church of England is for everyone and we want to reflect the diversity of the community the Church serves across the whole country. Therefore, while of course we welcome all applications from interested and suitably experienced people, we would particularly welcome applicants from UK Minoritised Ethnicities (UKME)/Global Majority Heritage (GMH) and other under-represented groups.
We offer a unique environment with opportunities for continuous learning, generous annual leave for work life balance, season ticket loans and a range of benefits including discounted entry to attractions and what we feel is a market leading package when it comes to our pension scheme.
The Role
Implementing the FLOURISH network
- To lead an effective pilot programme with 40 locations (in a range of primary/secondary/MAT/FE colleges) commencing September 2024
- To work closely with a wide range of dioceses to implement the vision for the FLOURISH network of 450 worshipping communities in schools/FE colleges by 2030, within their own strategic vision and strategy
- To oversee research, evaluation and learning from pilot locations to equip and empower dioceses to embed larger scale engagement in their longer-term vision, strategy and funding applications
- To ensure coherence of missional design through effective partnership with leaders across other national teams (including Vision & Strategy and Ministry in particular), reporting to the FLOURISH Project Board
- To oversee the design and delivery of lay leadership training provision for leaders of FLOURISH including appropriate accreditation routes
- To build a growing, dynamic movement of leaders who serve the church’s mission through effective strategic partnerships between schools/colleges and their local churches
- To work closely with the Executive Director of Education and Chief Education Officer in reporting to the relevant governance bodies
- To work with the Head of Operations to ensure secure management of the £2.5m pilot funding, accountability, reporting and communications
Developing Adult Leaders
- To develop effective training pathways for leaders of FLOURISH, working closely with the Growing Faith Foundation team, to together provide 15% of the overall target of 30,000 leaders of mission and ministry with children and young people by 2030
- To ensure strong strategic synergy with all other leadership development programmes across the church and with external providers – incl. TEIs and parachurch organisations
- To embed and sustain strategic leadership development thinking and evidence-informed practice across all programmes, networks and research through strong partnership with Church of England Foundation for Educational Leadership programmes, networks and research
Placing Children and Young People at the heart of our mission
- To develop effective programmes and networks for the development of younger leaders within FLOURISH, including the development of appropriate accreditation in synergy with the Archbishops’ Young Leaders Award team
- To collaborate with Growing Faith Foundation and Archbishops’ Young Leaders Award teams in hearing the voice of children and young people through a range of national governance bodies (including but not limited to General Synod, Archbishops’ Council, National Society Council)
- To partner with diocesan education teams to ensure that children, young people and families are at the heart of all mission, vision and strategy, and partnering closely with other national colleagues working in this area outside of the education sector
The Requirements
Essential
Skills/Aptitudes:
- Strong relationship building with a wide variety of partners within and beyond the organisation
- High quality presentation skills with a range of senior audiences, establishing trust, credibility and action planning
- Entrepreneurial/visionary leadership with the ability to effect change and significant organisational growth
- Systematic organisational skills in relation to managing a very significant number of relationships
- Credibility in ministry and faith development with children and young people
Knowledge/Experience:
- Experience in developing faith and discipleship amongst children and young people
- Leadership experience at a senior level
- Experience working with strategic stakeholders, both within and beyond the Church of England system
- Deep understanding of research underpinning effective networking and partnership development
- Building and facilitating networks within an education/ministry context
- Theological reflection and strong track record of presentation, facilitation and resource creation
- Deep understanding of the short-term action and long-term systemic change required of our organisation in relation to ‘younger and more diverse’
Education:
- Degree level qualifications (or equivalent)
Personal Attributes:
- Credibility and relationship building – establishing trust and delivering on expectations
- Blend of educational thinking and theological reflection
- Passion for the flourishing of adults and children
- Patience and resilience under pressure
- Strong sense of collegiality and team
- An understanding of and sensitivity to the range of theological views within the Church of England
- This post is subject to an occupational requirement that the holder be a communicant Anglican under Part 1 of Schedule 9 to the Equality Act 2010 as the post holder will represent the Church of England at senior level.
Desirable
Education:
- Postgraduate qualifications in theology, education, or related discipline
Skills/Aptitudes:
- Digital networking experience using social media and other platforms effectively to communicate and build networks
- Project management experience at a senior level
Knowledge/Experience:
- Understanding of wider Church of England Vision and Strategy work.
- Experience overseeing major events such as conferences, network events, collaborations
- Experience of ecumenical working
About Us
In the National Church Institutions (NCIs), we support the mission and ministries of the Church of England. We work with parishes, dioceses, schools, chaplaincies and other ministries, and with national and international partners including mission agencies, and other denominations and faith groups.
Find out more about working for the National Church Institutions at Careers | The Church of England
NCI values
- We strive for excellence
- We collaborate
- We act with integrity
- We show compassion
- We respect others
We believe our commitment to belonging and inclusion fuels our progress and drives us forward. The NCIs are a safe, inclusive workplace for people of all backgrounds and walks of life. We welcome applications from people of all faiths and of no faith. We want to encourage applications from a diverse group of people who share our values. Even if you have never thought about working for us before, if you have the skills and experience we’re looking for then we would like to hear from you.
If there is anything we can do to support you in your application please get in touch via email to hr.recruitment@churchofengland.org.
As a Disability Confident Leader, we actively look to attract, recruit and retain those of you who are disabled.
We are a member of the Armed Forces Covenant, and welcome applications from those of you who have served in our Armed Forces and their families.
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