The Rev Jan Ainsworth the Church if England's Chief Education Officer is to retire this summer after seven years in the post, it was announced today.

"It has been an exciting and challenging time and I feel we have achieved much together. As the formal Church School of the Future implementation programme draws to a close it is the right moment to hand over to my successor to take the work in new directions." said Jan who is planning to return to the North West with her husband Rev Michael Ainsworth where they previously spent much of their ministry serving in Manchester Diocese.

The Bishop of Oxford, the Rt John Pritchard, Chair of the Church of England's Board of Education said: “Jan has done an excellent job for church schools and all the other elements of the Church of England's commitment to education. She has an enviable depth of experience and knowledge and has used that skilfully as the Church has navigated previously uncharted educational waters in recent years.  Jan has overseen the National Society's celebration of 200 years of church schools and the production of the landmark Chadwick Report together with the complex implementation of the report's recommendations. We have been very fortunate to have Jan's calm authority and clarity of mind at such a time and wish her well as she returns to the north and to further avenues of ministry.”

The role of Chief Education officer is currently being advertised in the Church Times, via the Church of England website and the Education press.

Jan, who retires on August 31, added that she hoped that the new challenge would be taken up by someone who shared her passion for what the Church can offer to children and young people, especially those who face disadvantage and difficulty.