The Revd Nigel Genders, currently Diocesan Director of Education for Canterbury diocese, has been appointed Head of School Policy for the Church of England's Board of Education. He will join the staff team at Church House, Westminster in June. He replaces Dr Rob Gwynne who retired last month.
Nigel will pick up a busy agenda, engaging with dioceses around the country and with the Department for Education on all matters to do with Church of England schools in the changing education environment. He will also work closely with the Church School of the Future Programme as it implements the recommendations of the Chadwick Report, being published later this month.
Speaking this week, Nigel said: “It has been a huge privilege to serve the children, young people and schools of the Canterbury Diocese as Director of Education. I am now looking forward to working in partnership with colleagues in every diocese as we work together to develop the Church’s statutory education provision across England and Wales.”
The Revd Jan Ainsworth, the Church of England's Chief Education officer, said: "We are greatly looking forward to Nigel joining us and bringing the benefits of his experience to the national team. This is an exciting time for the Church of England and Nigel has set up new ways of enabling schools to work together for the benefit of the children and their families in Canterbury. He'll be able to take a lead nationally as we move into a new era of Church school provision."
Nigel has been ordained for 20 years and has served in a variety of parishes in London, Southwark and Canterbury dioceses, as an Area Dean and as a chaplain to two large state secondary schools. He has been the director of education for Canterbury Diocese since 2008. He is married to Sarah, Ward Manager of an acute medical ward, and the couple have three children.
Notes to editors
More information on the work of the National Society and Church of England Education Division www.churchofengland.org
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