Our Schools
Diocese of Chichester schools in numbers:
- Over 37,000 children attend Church of England schools across East Sussex, West Sussex, Brighton & Hove
- There are 154 Church of England schools in the diocese – 39 have voluntary aided status, 78 have voluntary controlled status, 37 are academies. In addition to this there are two further schools who have decided to affiliate to the diocese
- There are over 400 Foundation Governors in Church schools, recruited, supported and trained by the diocese
- Over 90% of Diocese of Chichester schools are rated Ofsted Good or Outstanding
What is the difference between Voluntary Aided and Voluntary Controlled Schools?
Voluntary Aided Schools
In a voluntary aided school (VA), 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.
Voluntary controlled schools and foundation 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 head teacher 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.