Diocese of Portsmouth

Portsmouth & Winchester Education Team

All staff listed below are based at the Portsmouth Diocesan Offices, at the following address: First Floor, Peninsular House, Wharf Road, Portsmouth PO2 8HB

Diocesan Director of Education

Jeff Williams

Jeff Williams
Leads the Education team and oversees all of its work with schools, academies and Further and Higher education. He works alongside and advises the Bishop of Winchester and the Bishop of Portsmouth, and the Diocesan Board of Education in the formation of strategy and all aspects of education policy. Jeff represents the Diocese at regional and national level in any aspect of education. He represents the Diocese at our Anglican Foundation University in Winchester on its Foundation Committee and is a Trustee at the University’s Multi Academies trust. Jeff also represents both dioceses as the Corporate Diocesan Member on regional and local Multi Academy and Mark 1 Trusts. He is a member of the Winchester Diocesan Leadership Team.

T: 023 9289 9680
E: email

Deputy Diocesan Director of Education

Rob Sanders

Rob Sanders
Rob’s key responsibilities include deputising for and representing the Director at a regional and local level, and managing the day to day organisation and related work of the office-based Education Team. He supports the Director in monitoring and ensuring efficiency across the team’s work and with advising on diocesan vision and strategy for education. Rob takes an active role in supporting and promoting a distinctively Christian, community focused vision for education that serves The Common Good. Rob also takes the lead on school admissions and related policy and procedure.

T: 023 9289 9658
E: email

PA to the Diocesan Director of Education

Sam Powell Sam Powell

Provides all aspects of administrative support to the Director of Education, manages his diary and is clerk to the Board of Education and all sub-committees of the Board. In addition, she supports the work of the Education Team by providing administrative support.

T: 023 9289 9680
E: email

Diocesan Education Adviser

Richard Wharton

Richard Wharton
Richard leads on support for schools and parishes on the development of church school Christian distinctiveness and values, collective worship, spirituality, RE, SIAMS and school standards. The Diocesan Education Advisers offer training for governors on headteacher appointments and support schools in the process, and support schools on general pastoral issues. Richard also supports the work and responsibilities of foundation governors.

T: 023 9289 9662
E: email

Diocesan Education Adviser

Sue Bowen

Sue Bowen
Sue leads on support for schools and parishes on the development of church school Christian distinctiveness and values, collective worship, spirituality, RE, SIAMS and school standards. The Diocesan Education Advisers offer training for governors on headteacher appointments and support schools in the process, and support schools on general pastoral issues. Sue also supports the work and responsibilities of ex-officio foundation governors.

T: 023 9289 9662
E: email

Diocesan RE and Children’s Spirituality Lead

Jane Kelly

Jane Kelly
Jane takes the lead on all aspects of Religious Education (RE). She also supports schools and parishes in all aspects of developing Children’s spiritual development and supports CofE representatives on the SACREs across our region.

T: 023 9289 9679
E: email

School Buildings Officers

The school buildings officers support Voluntary Aided schools in relation to building issues and government-funded building projects. The School Buildings officers are also central to advising on the building of new Church Schools.

Susan Hine

Susan Hine

T: 023 9289 9688
E: email

Susan works Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 2:30pm