WESTMINSTER DIOCESE EDUCATION BOARD
MISSION
The Diocesan Education Board acts in the context of the overall mission of the Church
and the Ordinary (Bishop) of the diocese.
The mission of the Church: The Church in this world is the sacrament of salvation, the sign and the instrument of the communion of God and his people.
The mission of the Bishop: Bishops have as their first task to preach the Gospel of God to all, in keeping with the Lord's command. They are heralds of faith, who draw new disciples to Christ: they are authentic teachers of the apostolic faith endowed with the authority of Christ.
The Education Board is an agency of the Ordinary and diocesan trustee. As such it acts on behalf of the Cardinal Archbishop and diocesan trustee according to the norms of Church Law and Civil Law respectively. Its primary tasks are to:
a) support and develop Catholic education within the schools and colleges of the diocese, thus enabling schools to serve the Church in its mission to provide young people with an opportunity for evangelisation, education and formation within the Faith
b) promote the development of teachers so that they may excel in their task and eventually undertake the responsibilities of deputies and heads of schools in order to ensure the continuation of Catholic education in the diocese
c) exercise overall responsibility for the direction and character of the schools and colleges of the diocese
d) have oversight of diocesan provision for religious education in schools
e) arrange for the inspection of religious education in accordance with the respective rights f the Ordinary and governors to receive the reports
f) have general oversight of parish catechetics, youth support and adult religious education
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
It is the primary aim of the Diocesan Education Board to act on behalf of the Ordinary, Area Bishops, Episcopal Vicars and diocesan trustee in fostering and developing a vision of education in all the schools in accordance with the mission of the Church. The Education Board will realise this aim largely through the work of the Westminster Diocese Education Service which is organised in two departments: the Schools Administration Department and the RE and Catechesis Department.
Objectives of the Schools Administration Department:
1. Through the education board to act on behalf of the Ordinary and trustee
a) by fulfilling any requirement of the Ordinary when required to do so
b) by planning the provision of places in Catholic schools and colleges for the age range 3+ to 19+
c) by organising the inspection of religious education through the Inspection Unit
d) by reporting on the quality of education in the schools by means of Section 10 and 23
and 23 reports where appropriate
e) by advising the Bishops and Episcopal Vicars on education matters when required to do so
f) by liaising with the trustee on all matters affecting the discharge of its charitable
responsibilities, but with particular regard to its assets especially buildings and land
g) by administering, on behalf of the trustee, the appointment of foundation governors
2. To strengthen the relationship between parents, parish communities and schools
a) by promoting schools as an integral part of the mission of the church
b) by developing guidance and support for the relationship between parents, parish and school
3. To provide support and guidance for governing bodies in order to assist them to fulfil their statutory and canonical responsibilities
a) by providing governor training
b) by providing support and advice:
(i) on legal and personnel matters
(iv) in relation to school development projects including capital schemes and other building matters
(v) on staff development
c) by assisting the development of instruments and articles of government
d) by ensuring representation of the Ordinary at senior appointments in schools
4. To support headteachers in their task as leaders of Catholic schools
community
b) by providing opportunities for the professional development of all teachers
c) by facilitating headteacher conferences, cluster/area groups and deanery meetings
d) by providing legal and personnel advice
e) by providing opportunities for the training of teachers with particular regard to the
management and leadership of Catholic schools
5. To maintain and develop relationships with external agencies including DfEE,
LEAs, OFSTED, CES and funding agencies
a) by developing effective partnerships with LEAs at both officer and member level
b) by co-ordinating the appointment of representatives to education committees and to
support them
c) by supporting and participating in diocesan, regional and national initiatives
FEBRUARY 1998
JOB DESCRIPTION
DIRECTOR
SCHOOLS ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT
The Director will have overall responsibility for the work of the Schools Administration Department as outlined in the document "Diocesan Education Board: Mission, Aims and Objectives".
The Director will:
a) report to the Chairman of the Education Board
b) offer advice to the Education Board, Bishops and episcopal vicars on all school and college related matters
c) implement the policies of the Education Board in relation to all Catholic schools and colleges in the diocese
d) safeguard the interests of the trustee in accordance with the Trust Deed
e) exercise day to day management of the Schools Administration Department and have executive powers in relation to the DfEE, LEAs, governing bodies and headteachers
f) oversee the work of the Inspection Unit