Who we are

The National Society is made up of a group of individuals who are passionate about working towards the flourishing of all in our education system.

Our Vision for Education

"life in all its fullness" John 10:10

Educating for wisdom, knowledge and skills; educating for hope and aspiration; educating for community and living well together; educating for respect and dignity.

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Our Hope for a Flourishing Schools System

In 2024 we outlined our hope for the flourishing of children, young people, adults and institutions, as the further outworking of the 2016 Church of England Vision for Education, ‘Deeply Christian, Serving the Common Good’.

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Leadership

Nigel Genders is the Chief Executive of the National Society for Education and the Church of England's Chief Education Officer. Nigel leads the Church’s national work in education which serves children and young people in churches, schools, colleges and universities. Nigel’s role in education has developed over 32 years of ordained ministry working in a variety of roles including vicar, school chaplain and Diocesan Director of Education. He has been Chief Education Officer since 2014. Nigel was awarded the honour of CBE in the King’s birthday honours list in June 2023.

Senior leadership team

Andy Spens, Head of Professional Learning

Andy Wolfe, Executive Director of Education

Catherine Walmsley, Joint Head of Partnerships and Engagement

Elizabeth Howat, Head of AYLA

Emily Norman, Head of Curriculum and Inclusion

Isla Johnson, Joint Head of Partnerships and Engagement

Lucy Moore, Head of Growing Faith Foundation

Rachel Rigby, Head of Operations

Sarah Shreeve, Head of Policy

Dr Margaret James, Director of SIAMS

Governance

Peter Ballard, National Society Council Treasurer

Bishop Jonathan Frost, National Society Council Chair

The National Society is governed by a Council, and a range of committees and governance groups.

Bishop Jonathan Frost is our Chair of the Council. He has been Bishop of Portsmouth since January 2022. Jonathan took up this post having previously being Dean of York and Suffragan Bishop of Southampton. Jonathan was ordained priest in 1994 and served his curacy in Nottingham before becoming Rector of Ash in the Diocese of Guildford. In 2002 he became chaplain to the University of Surrey and a Residentiary Canon at Guildford Cathedral. In February 2024 he was appointed Lead Bishop for Education and Chair of the National Society Council. Jonathan is married to Christine and has three adult children. He is lifelong Fulham Football Club fan.

The Council meet regularly for formal governance meetings, and meet for one residential meeting each year. There are additional formal governance groups for key areas of work such as SIAMS and the delivery of NPQs. The Council provides robust accountability for the work of the National Society and offers sound advice to the strategic leadership team.