APPOINTED!: Deputy Director of Schools - Diocese of Shrewsbury

APPOINTED!: Deputy Director of Schools - Diocese of Shrewsbury - Shropshire

Competitive - Catholic - Head/Principal
Ref: 144 Date Posted: Wednesday 04 Feb 2026

THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF A RECENT VACANCY EMMAUS HAVE APPOINTED TO.

Deputy Director of Schools - Diocese of Shrewsbury, Birkenhead

Location: Prenton, Birkenhead
Contract Type: Full Time (Term time only)
Contract Term: Permanent
Start Date: Negotiable

Emmaus Leadership have been retained by the Diocese of Shrewsbury to manage the key appointment of a Deputy Director of Schools within the diocese.

The Diocese of Shrewsbury is situated across the regions across Cheshire, Shropshire and parts of Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Derbyshire, serving over 170,000 of the faithful in 89 Parishes. The Shrewsbury Diocesan Education Service has oversight of 109 schools (87 Primary, 21 Secondary and one Sixth Form College) across 11 local authorities.

The role of Deputy Director of Schools is an inspiring, rewarding and fulfilling position. The successful candidate will join a dedicated and committed team at a significant time for the education sector, for Catholic education nationally, and for the schools and colleges across our own Diocese as we look to serve Bishop Mark and the mission of our Church with Christ as the foundation of our entire educational enterprise.

As Deputy Director you will be expected to establish good relationships with each authority as well as supporting the Director in engaging with the Regional School Director, ESFA, and Ofsted so that our schools and their staff are well served.

The role offers the opportunity to utilise your existing skills, gifts and talents in new and innovative ways as we look to preserve and protect our distinctive educational heritage and history whilst forming and co-constructing an authentically Catholic educational landscape for the future.

We are looking for someone who has:

  • Extensive leadership experience in an education context, whether as a senior school leader or local authority/SIP partner within the primary school phase.
  • A strong grasp of current educational issues (including MATs’ evolving role within the parish, diocese and local community).
  • Secure knowledge and understanding of Catholic education as structured in this country.

Now is a moment of real opportunity within the educational and Catholic life of the Diocese, which makes this post an extremely attractive and rewarding career opportunity.

A requirement of the post is that applicants must be practising Catholics.

For an initial informal chat please call Liam Dowds, our Emmaus Advising Consultant, on 01737 652 043 or email him at ldowds@emmausleadership.me for an Application pack.

All conversations will be held in the strictest confidence.

DO NOT APPLY ONLINE. ALL COMPLETED APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED VIA EMAIL.

The Diocese of Shrewsbury is an equal opportunities employer and committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. DBS check required.

"We had been cold called by a few other companies but chose Emmaus as it specialised in Church schools. We were impressed by Liam and his team coming to the school and burrowing in to what the school wanted and needed. He asked searching questions and we were satisfied this was the way forward. I had not been a fan of head hunters before, but I have to say this process and its result was a hugely better experience than going out on our own and was totally professional throughout."

Bridget Prentice, Chair of Governors - Trinity School, Lewisham

"We tried going it alone to find a CEO for our MAT but had only 2 applicants who didn't meet our requirements. We approached Emmaus and from the start their professionalism was reassuring."

Barry Leyland, Chair - Blessed Edward Bamber Catholic Multi Academy Trust

"Emmaus brings a level of professionalism, seen in other industry sectors, to church schools’ recruitment."

The Rt Rev Nick Baines - Anglican Bishop of Leeds

"We are delighted with the appointment we made and I have reported to the whole community that we could not have been more thorough in the search or more rigorous in the selection process. Thank you Emmaus Leadership."

Jacqui Feely, Chair at All Hallows Catholic College, Macclesfield

"Thank you for everything you did to successfully support our recruitment of an outstanding Headteacher and Deputy Headteacher. Using Emmaus Leadership to manage the recruitment to the post was much debated and was the subject of intense scrutiny by our Governing Body who were somewhat reluctant to use a leadership recruitment specialist. However, their confidence was reinstated as a result of your professional approach, your insightful knowledge and the resulting candidate pool produced for both appointments. I have no hesitation in recommending Emmaus to other schools."

Annie Sutton - Executive Principal, St Joseph's RC Specialist School and College

"…we also considered other external recruiters, but Emmaus were clear favourites in terms of their recruitment expertise and in-depth knowledge and appreciation of the catholic school’s sector."

Peter Giorgio, Director of Education, Nottingham Diocese

"I approached Emmaus following our unsuccessful attempts to recruit Deputy DDEs for both Dioceses. They went on to source a far greater number of candidates of high calibre. I highly recommend Emmaus!"

Canon Carolyn Lewis, Director of Education - Diocese of Leicester and Diocese of Derby

"I have no hesitation in commending Emmaus to any school that is seeking to appoint a Christian Headteacher. In particular, Emmaus’ ability to promote the school, assess the ethos of the school and communicate this within the networks of those who might be considered as possible candidates was invaluable."

Clive Purser, Chair of Governors, St Andrew's CE High School for Boys, Worthing

"I would thoroughly recommend Emmaus for any diocese or MAT seeking to appoint at a senior level in Catholic Education. Should we need help in the future...I would be confident in using Emmaus again."

Bishop Alan Williams sm - Diocese of Brentwood

"From prospective applicant through to newly appointed CEO at Tenax Schools Trust, I cannot speak highly enough of the services provide by Emmaus.  I recommend Emmaus Leadership without reservation."

Mark Cole, Chief Executive Officer - Tenax Schools Trust

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