Programme Lead (AYLA)
Post Introduction
The National Society for Education (NSE) is both an NCI and a Royal-charter charity. It’s aims are to support Church schools and the wider education sector by developing leaders, shaping policy and growing faith.
The NSE leads the Church of England’s national work in education in partnership with 41 Diocesan Boards of Education and approximately 4,700 Church of England schools. We also support the national education work of the Church in Wales, which includes around 150 schools. Our presence extends to work with community schools and academy trusts, as well as higher and further education through numerous chaplaincies, providing spiritual support and guidance to children and young people, and to adults.
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 child, youth and families ministry is within reach of every young person in England.
The NSE is working with the Vision and Strategy team to help deliver this vision through a range of projects in our ‘growing faith’ pillar which focus on the intersection between church, home and school; aiming to develop the faith life of children and young people, whilst also growing young leaders.
We are a dynamic team, working remotely from our homes around the country. We gather regularly online and also have in-person team days through the year.
The purpose of this role is to design, develop and implement the Archbishops’ Young Leaders Award (AYLA). The AYLA is an existing programme that is offered across all key stages 1 to 4 to participating schools. The Award is completed by pupils and learners across England and Wales and is aimed at developing their leadership skills. The role is expected to lead and manage the effective delivery of this programme including design, quality assurance, engagement of strategic stakeholders and support the financial sustainability of the programme.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Providing strategic oversight of the Archbishops’ Young Leaders Award.
- Developing effective curriculum models, resources and learning experiences.
- Ensuring high quality learning and development through robust design and evaluation.
- Engaging stakeholders and deepening partnership commitments.
- An Enhanced DBS check will be required as part of our pre-employment checks.
- This role is a fully remote role
Essential
Knowledge/Experience
- Successful leadership experience within the education sector.
- Experience of designing and delivering effective professional development course content.
- Clear understanding of educational landscape, and the relationship between education institutions, churches and households.
- Excellent understanding of good safeguarding practices.
- Secure understanding of the Church of England Vision for Education, and its outworking in schools and colleges.
- Personally committed to and passionate about changing the culture of the Church of England.
- Systematic and strong evidence of successful project implementation.
- Experience of enabling the agency and voice of children and young people.
Skills & Abilities:
- Design effective research-led approaches to programme design, with particular reference to faith development.
- Communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.
- Firmly committed to equity, diversity and inclusion.
- Ability to work independently, a motivated ‘self starter’.
- A salary of £59,248 per annum, plus age-related pension contributions between 8-15% of salary. We will also match any pension contributions you make up to an additional 3% of your salary.
- 25 days annual leave (increasing to 30 days within 5 years) plus eight bank holidays and three additional days (pro-rated if working part-time).
- We welcome all flexible working arrangement requests. This is looked at in a case-by-case scenario and if this fits within the department’s needs. We try to be as flexible as we can in your work pattern to support you with other commitments, and to give a good work-life balance.
- We offer many services and initiatives under our Family Friendly Programme, some of these include enhanced Maternity Leave initiative, Adoption Leave, Paternity Leave, & Shared Parental Leave. Structured induction programme and access to a range of development opportunities including apprenticeships.
- Automatic enrolment and access to Medicash (one of the UK’s leading health cash plan providers), providing you with many services including reimbursements of routine dental treatment, optical, specialist consultations, and therapy treatments. Unlimited access to virtual GP & Private prescription service and health & Stress related helplines.
- Access to Occupational Health, and an Employee Assistance Programme
- Access to the Department of Education Restaurant and Westminster Abbey with a plus-one guest.
- Apply for eligibility for an Eyecare voucher.
- Opportunity to join the Civil Service Sports & Social Club, and get involved in a range of staff networks, groups and societies.
- Strive for Excellence
- Show Compassion
- Respect others
- Collaborate
- Act with Integrity

