Schools & academies
Church schools are schools with a religious designation. The religious authority for Church of England schools is the Diocesan Board of Education (DBE) for the diocese in which the school is located. The work of the DBE is governed by the Diocesan Board of Education Measure 2021. The Measure provides the legal framework within which the DBEs engage and work with Church schools.
Schools we work with
Here is an overview of the types of schools we work with:
| Voluntary Aided | Voluntary Controlled | Foundation | Academy | |
| Governance | Foundation Governors in the majority | Foundation governors are in the minority (up to 25%) | Foundation Governors are in the minority | Structure established in the Articles of Association will include DBE representation |
| Admissions | Governing body is the admissions authority | LA is the admissions authority | Governing body is the admissions authority | Academy Company is the admissions authority |
| Religious Education | Governors are responsible for decisions on which RE syllabus should be followed | Locally agreed syllabus | Locally agreed syllabus | Academy Company is responsible for decisions on which RE syllabus should be followed |
| Employment & Faith | Governing body is the employer | LA is the employer | Governing body is the employer | Academy Company is the employer |
| Buildings | Governing body is responsible for capital works | LA is responsible for capital works | LA is responsible for capital works | Academy company is responsible for capital works |
Admissions builder
The Admissions Builder is a tool to assist you in preparing your admission arrangements.
Staff contracts for schools and academies
The NSE have worked with Winkworth Sherwood LLP to provide updated template employment contracts and offer letters for various roles in both academies and VA Church of England maintained schools, available to download below. The template model employment contracts are provided in the form of a template central master terms and conditions document with an accompanying offer letter that is intended to fit the individual role/circumstances. The offer letter and terms and conditions together constitute the written statement of particulars of employment. Note that this suite of model documents is intended to be adapted to reflect the context of the particular educational establishment and its local circumstances ensuring proper consultation with trade unions and staff, as appropriate.
These templates were updated in light of the Employment Rights Act 2025 and are current as of 1 June 2026. Please note that it is important that before these documents are used and issued you:
Read the detailed guidance note and identify the appropriate template contract AND accompanying offer letter.
Seek legal/HR advice as appropriate. Specific advice should always be sought if using these templates for the first time or seeking to introduce for existing staff in order to ensure appropriate consultation with unions and staff has taken place as necessary.
Adapt the correct template contract and offer letter with HR support as needed. The contracts contain specific drafting guidance notes within the margin to support with this.
Please note that for Head Teacher or CEO appointments your Diocese must be involved in the process.
These templates have been provided in order to support schools and as stated above are based on the law as of 1 June 2026. The NSE and their advisers accept no liability in respect of the template documents or for any loss or damage (howsoever caused) which any end user or other third party may suffer as a result of using and/or relying on them and/or any of their provisions.