Employment in C of E School
Who are the employers?
In a voluntary aided (VA) school, the staff are employed by the
governing body.
The governors may decide to discriminate in favour of candidates
who can demonstrate a positive commitment to the Christian faith
and its expression in the school when employing teachers and some
support staff whose posts have a genuine occupational
requirement to be committed Christians. Such posts may include
non-teaching chaplains, pastoral heads or bursars. The requirements
should be clear in advertisements and in job or person
specifications. This right is not affected by current human rights
or equal employment opportunities legislation.
Should staff be active Christians?
The governors and senior staff of a VA school should have a
policy on the whether teaching staff of the school need to be
active Christians and active Anglicans. This may depend on the
duties of the post, for example teaching religious education,
leading school worship, or providing Christian leadership within
the school or a section of it. This does not mean that an active
Christian will be appointed to the post even if he or she is not
the best candidate on professional grounds. For some posts, the
governors will not appoint unless the best professional candidate
is also an active Christian.
Voluntary controlled schools
In voluntary controlled (VC) schools, the Local Authority is the
employer and their employment policies are used when appointing
staff. The governors of foundation schools with a religious
character are the employers. Candidates for the post of headteacher
in a voluntary controlled or a foundation school can be asked to
demonstrate their ability and fitness to sustain and develop the
religious character of the school.
Ethos
Church schools have an ethos statement and this
should form part of the information sent to all candidates for
teaching or other posts. They can be expected to support the ethos
of the school where they have chosen to work.