Staff Appointments

Christian Leadership

A Church School is a Christian institution. The Governing Body is charged with maintaining the character of the school as set out in the school's Trust Deed and Ethos Statement. The development of the day to day Christian ethos of the school is a senior management responsibility. Governors will want to consider carefully the way in which this responsibility has a bearing on staff recruitment, especially at a senior management level.

The Law

Voluntary Aided Schools:

"If the school is a voluntary aided school-

(a) preference may be given, in connection with the appointment, remuneration or promotion of teachers at the school, to persons-

1. whose religious opinions are in accordance with the tenets of the religion or religious denomination specified in relation to the school under section 69(4), or
2. who attend religious worship in accordance with those tenets, or
3. who give, or are willing to give, religious education at the school in accordance with those tenets; and

(b) regard may be had, in connection with the termination of the employment of any teacher at the school, to any conduct on his part which is incompatible with the precepts, or with the upholding of the tenets, of the religion or religious denomination so specified.

(School Standards and Framework Act 1998 Pt II Ch V 60 (v a))

These provisions apply to all teaching staff (they may not apply to any non- teaching staff). The Governors have discretion over whether they exercise religious preference, but it is likely that the more senior the post the more desirable a strong Christian connection will be. It is quite proper for governors to specify indications of a faith commitment for all teaching posts. Most voluntary aided schools will seek such indication from candidates for headship and deputy-headship. Governors will need to be clear how they define the faith commitment sought (see below)

Voluntary Controlled Schools

"In connection with the appointment of a person to be head teacher of the school regard may be had to that person's ability and fitness to preserve and develop the religious character of the school."

(School Standards and Framework Act 1998 Pt II Ch V 60 (iv))

Since the "ability to develop the religious character of the school " may be considered an important attribute for the headteacher to have and such an attribute may imply personal Christian commitment, Governors may advertise for a practising Christian. In a Voluntary Controlled school this provision applies only to the appointment of the headteacher.

What 'faith commitment' is sought?

Governors should be very clear about how they define any faith commitment sought. "They must have the confidence to demand the type and level of commitment which they consider necessary to promote the Christian foundation of the school and carry out its trust deed and mission."¹

If the Governing Body decides it requires a practising communicant Anglican what degree of 'practise' is being sought?

If a 'practising Christian' is sought , what does this mean? A clear definition of the term Christian will be needed (or would a Jehovah's Witness or Mormon be acceptable?). Perhaps the simplest definition is that a candidate is a member of a church in membership of the "Council of Churches for Britain and Ireland" which includes "mainstream" churches. A possible alternative is to require membership of a church confessing the Trinity.

Many schools advertise for a 'practising Christian, communicant Anglican preferred'. It would follow that if no Anglican can be appointed, applicants from any other church in membership of CCBI are equally acceptable on faith grounds.

Some schools (especially Voluntary Controlled schools) may feel it sufficient to advertise for a candidate who 'will actively support the aims and the ethos of a Church school'. Governors will need to consider very carefully indeed whether this is acceptable for a headteacher who will lead the schools and its collective worship and who must demonstratively believe what he/she practises in school.

Governors must state the level of commitment required in the information they publish for candidates, preferably, briefly also in the advertisement. It is also possible for the governing body to require candidates to name a person as a faith referee who can vouch for their commitment (usually a minister of religion)

Other Factors

Clearly Christian commitment is not itself a qualification for senior management of a school! Professional and personal qualities remain paramount and the right balance is crucial.

In some circumstances the Christian ethos of the school may be secured by ways other than through the personal faith commitment of the headteacher. Other colleagues can lead collective worship; foundation governors and clergy can play a more active part in the life of the school. Governors should also remember that for all human beings faith commitment is a personal matter subject to growth and change.

Governors should not be intimidated from asking for an agreed faith commitment on the grounds that there may be few suitably qualified candidates.

¹Some material in this section is drawn from 'Church School Staffing', p.32ff (Louden and Irwin 1995: National Society)

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