Job Application Pack
Job Title: Schools’ Adviser
(RE, Christian Distinctiveness & Collective Worship)
Part time (0.4)
Hillside House
1500 Parkway North
Stoke Bishop
Bristol
BS34 8YU
0117 9060100
[email protected]
www.bristol.anglican.org
[DATE]
Dear Candidate
I am delighted that you have shown an interest in the role of Schools’ Adviser (RE, Christian
Distinctiveness & Collective Worship). This is a Part Time role (0.4). This information pack
provides an outline of the role, the skills and experience that we are looking for, plus some
further background to the Diocese.
As a diocese, our purpose is to ‘create communities of wholeness with Christ at the centre’
across Bristol, Swindon, South Gloucestershire and North Wiltshire. These are exciting
times for us. While there is much talk about the challenges facing the Church of England,
we sense a real energy locally to reconnect with our communities and reignite our calling to
be a Church for this generation.
Our vision as a diocese is ‘Creating connections’, you can find out more about this and the
priorities we have developed from it at www.bristol.anglican.org/2015/creating-connections
Across our Diocesan Support Services team, we have been preparing to support parishes
more effectively as together we seek to follow the vision God has for us and overcome the
challenges we face.
We are now recruiting a Schools’ Adviser (RE, Christian Distinctiveness & Collective
Worship) Part Time (0.4) to work with our Education team. You will work with a diverse
range of schools across the diocese, some Church of England, some not. RE and Collective
Worship are statutory for all schools and you will play a vital role in developing these to be
outstanding, while giving support to SACRE’s and developing the Christian distinctiveness
of church schools.
If you would like an informal discussion about the role, please don’t hesitate to contact
[email protected], tel. 0117 906 0100.
Thank you for taking the time to consider this opportunity. If this is a role that excites you
and you believe that you have the necessary skills, experience and imagination, we would
very much like to hear from you and we look forward to receiving your application for this
post. Please submit your application on the attached application form and ensure you have
also read our Applicant Guidance Notes.
Yours sincerely
Liz Townend
Deputy Director of Education
The Diocese of Bristol
The Diocese of Bristol Board of Finance is a company limited by guarantee (No 156243) and a registered charity (No 248502)
Registered address: Hillside House, 1500 Parkway North, Stoke Gifford, Bristol, BS34 8YU
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DIOCESE OF BRISTOL
THE BRISTOL DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE LIMITED
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title:
Schools’ Adviser Part-time (0.4)
(RE, Christian Distinctiveness and Collective Worship)
Job Summary:
With regard to Diocesan and DBE policy and strategy: to
provide and support Church of England schools and their
Parish communities to enable them to provide a distinctively
Christian education thus supporting the creation of
communities of wholeness with Christ at the centre;
To work with the Standing Advisory Councils for Religious
Education (SACRE) in each LA area, and to be the SACRE
Lead Officer on a sub-contracted basis for one of these
three areas: Bristol, Swindon or South Gloucestershire.
These currently attract significant income for DBE;
To play a full part in regional and national leadership as
required.
Accountable to:
Schools Adviser (Full-time)
(RE, Christian Distinctiveness and Collective Worship)
Team:
Education
Key relationships:
Diocesan Board of Education
DBE staff team
DBAT staff team
School’ Officers for RE in the SW Dioceses
The Church of England Education Office
Church school heads, teachers and governors and clergy
associated with church schools
Other Diocesan Advisers
Salary
This is a 0.4 part time post.
£36, 000 pro rata (i.e £14, 400)
The Diocese of Bristol
The Diocese of Bristol Board of Finance is a company limited by guarantee (No 156243) and a registered charity (No 248502)
Registered address: Hillside House, 1500 Parkway North, Stoke Gifford, Bristol, BS34 8YU
3
MAIN DUTIES
1. To promote Religious Education and Collective Worship in all schools throughout the
Diocesan area and to promote Christian Distinctiveness in Church of England
schools, in accordance with the Diocesan Boards of Education Measure;
2. To fulfil the requirements of one of the Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with Bristol,
Swindon and South Gloucestershire’s Standing Advisory Councils for Religious
Education (SACREs) (SACREs are the statutory bodies in law to oversee the
delivery of Religious Education and Collective Worship in all schools and to develop
and refresh the Agreed Syllabus for RE in each LA);
3. To support the national SIAMS inspection process locally, to quality assure provision
and to use an analysis of inspection data to inform the training programme. The
target for DBE SIAMS inspections is 100% Good or Outstanding (currently 98% November 2016);
4. To co-design, deliver and advise on a programme of training for schools in
appropriate areas e.g. RE, Collective Worship, Christian Distinctiveness, SMSC
including British Values and PSHE. This is likely to take at least 20% of time and
yield significant additional income;
5. To liaise with other members of the DBE team and officers in other Dioceses and the
Church of England Education Office in creating resources and training packages to
enrich the teaching of RE and for Collective Worship;
6. To remain abreast of the curriculum and national policy development and participate
where appropriate in regional and national boards;
7. To contribute to regular newsletters to disseminate information and share best
practice, both within the Diocese and through SACREs;
8. To contribute to the holistic work of the Education Department. Helping to lead on the
development of the Annual Conference and on the cycle of team away days where
time affords;
9. To establish and maintain links with the wider faith and belief communities and
promote diversity, fostering collaboration between different faith representatives and
schools;
10. To maintain his/her own professional insights, experience and ability by attending
conferences, courses, study etc;
11. To maintain and develop the extensive ‘earnings’ already achieved in the department
through working with SACREs and delivering traded training extensively;
12. To maintain the proactive approach already established to develop RE subject
leaders in schools and to commission the best to share in the delivery of training and
major projects.
The Diocese of Bristol
The Diocese of Bristol Board of Finance is a company limited by guarantee (No 156243) and a registered charity (No 248502)
Registered address: Hillside House, 1500 Parkway North, Stoke Gifford, Bristol, BS34 8YU
4
Professional development
 To attend Church of England CPD days and the National Communications
Conference;
 To be prepared to undertake training as required.
SPECIAL NOTES AND CONDITIONS
This is a 0.4 part-time position and will therefore normally constitute 2 days per week with a
pro rata annual leave entitlement.There is flexibility to enable the successful candidate to
manage their time around school holidays if required.
NOTES AND CONDITIONS
The postholder will be expected: To be fully supportive of the Christian objectives and ethos of the Diocese of Bristol.
 To comply with terms and conditions of service.
 To adopt a flexible approach to changing patterns of work including times where
there is a requirement to work outside normal office hours and undertake such other
duties as are consistent with the job purpose.
 To promote best practice in meeting the requirements of Health and Safety
legislation and comply with other relevant statutory legislation.
 To carry out duties in accordance with the Diocese of Bristol policy on equality and
diversity.
 To accept that everyone has a right to their distinct identity, treating everyone with
dignity and respect.
 To develop oneself and others by making every effort to access development
opportunities and contribute effectively by participating in the Diocese of Bristol’s
personal development and performance review scheme.
 To be willing to undertake travel as required.
 To ensure that the principle of confidentiality and the requirements of the Data
Protection Act are fully applied to all work of the Bristol Diocesan Board of Finance.
 To act in such a way that at all times safeguards the health and wellbeing of children
and vulnerable adults. Familiarisation with and adherence to the Diocese of Bristol’s
Safeguarding policies is an essential requirement of all employees as is participation
in related mandatory/statutory training
 To undertake such other tasks as may be reasonably requested by the post-holder’s
direct line manager.
GENERAL NOTES
This is a description of the job as it is constituted at the effective date shown. It is the
practice of the Diocesan Board of Finance to periodically review job descriptions, update
them and ensure that they relate to the job performed, or to incorporate any proposed
changes. This procedure will be conducted by the appropriate manager in consultation with
the post holder.
The Diocese of Bristol
The Diocese of Bristol Board of Finance is a company limited by guarantee (No 156243) and a registered charity (No 248502)
Registered address: Hillside House, 1500 Parkway North, Stoke Gifford, Bristol, BS34 8YU
5
In these circumstances, it will be the aim to reach agreement on reasonable changes, but if
agreement is not possible, the Board of Finance reserves the right to make changes to your
job description following consultation.
SAFEGUARDING
The Diocese of Bristol is committed to safeguarding, safer recruiting practice and promoting
the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and
volunteers to share this commitment. You will be expected to report any concerns relating to
the safeguarding of children, young people or vulnerable adults in accordance with agreed
procedures. If your own conduct in relation to the safeguarding of children, young people or
vulnerable adults gives cause for concern, the Diocese Allegations Management procedure
will be followed, alongside implementation of the Disciplinary Procedure as required.
Effective Date: November 2016
Revised Date:
Ref: Personnel/JD/
The Diocese of Bristol
The Diocese of Bristol Board of Finance is a company limited by guarantee (No 156243) and a registered charity (No 248502)
Registered address: Hillside House, 1500 Parkway North, Stoke Gifford, Bristol, BS34 8YU
6
EMPLOYEE SPECIFICATION
To enable us to shortlist in a fair and unbiased way it is absolutely vital that you provide us
with sufficient information to demonstrate how you meet or exceed the criteria outlined in
the vacancy description.
Person Specification - Selection criteria
E Essential
D Desirable
Criteria for short listing and appointing: evidence of the
following is required
Educational
 Is a qualified teacher with QTS [Qualified Teacher Status]
Qualifications
 At least 3 years teaching experience
 Evidence of subject specific qualifications (Theology or
Religious Studies degree)
Knowledge,
Experience
and Skills






Personal
Attributes






Special
requirements


E/D
E
E
E
Recent and relevant professional development and /or higher
level qualification
Commitment to sustaining and strengthening the Christian
Distinctiveness within schools
Experience of teaching in a Church of England School
Experience of contributing to Collective Worship within a
school/s
Experience of leading professional development for other
teachers
Excellent IT skills including MS Word, Outlook (calendar and
email)
E
Fully supportive of the aims and ethos of the Diocese of
Bristol
Excellent communication skills, oral and written
Excellent interpersonal skills
A team builder/creator and also a team player
An ability to articulate the importance of living out and
promoting a vision rooted in Christian Distinctiveness
Treat people fairly, equitably and with dignity and respect to
create an authentically consistent way of behaving in
keeping with Christian values
E
E
E
E
Supportive of the principles of the diocesan vision and
supportive of working collaboratively with community schools,
academies and Academy Trusts
Full driving licence and use of car within diocese and outside
as required
E
The Diocese of Bristol
The Diocese of Bristol Board of Finance is a company limited by guarantee (No 156243) and a registered charity (No 248502)
Registered address: Hillside House, 1500 Parkway North, Stoke Gifford, Bristol, BS34 8YU
E
D
D
D
D
E
E
E
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Introducing the Diocese of Bristol
The Diocese of Bristol is the Church of England across Bristol, South Gloucestershire, North
Wiltshire and Swindon. There are 30,000 people worshipping regularly in more than 200 churches,
led by hundreds of clergy who we train and provide. Around 15,000 children and young people
attend our 70 Church schools, while chaplains serve in institutions across our region. Rt Revd Mike
Hill, the Bishop of Bristol, is the Diocesan Bishop supported by Rt Revd Dr Lee Rayfield, the
Suffragan Bishop of Swindon. The Diocesan Support Services teams are based at Hillside House to
the north of Bristol, serving and supporting the mission of our churches as they seek to see lives and
communities transformed.
Our vision ‘Creating connections’, leads us to seek the coming of the Kingdom of God as we build
stronger relationships with God, each other and our communities. When the Kingdom of God draws
near, people begin living differently: in their integrity and generosity, compassion and service. Greater
care is given to the poor and marginalised as faith and community groups work together to address
problems in our society while, on a wider scale, there is a renewed concern for social injustice and the
environment. With God at our centre, our churches grow and gain a reputation of meaning and
purpose, where people of every age and background can come to know Jesus Christ as Lord.
www.bristol.anglican.org
[email protected]
The Diocese of Bristol
facebook.com/Diocese.of.Bristol
twitter.com/diobrizzle
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youtube.com/DioceseofBristol
The Diocese of Bristol Board of Finance is a company limited by guarantee (No 156243) and a registered charity (No 248502)
Registered address: Hillside House, 1500 Parkway North, Stoke Gifford, Bristol, BS34 8YU