30 January 2023
The Bishop of Chelmsford the Rt Revd Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani has today announced the appointment of Carrie Prior as the new Diocesan Director of Education for Chelmsford Diocese.
Carrie has been part of the Diocesan Education Team since 2018, having previously served in Church of England schools for 15 years, spending over 10 years in senior leadership roles as an Assistant Head, Deputy Head and Headteacher. Since joining Chelmsford Diocese as Schools Team Leader, Carrie has led the work of our School Adviser Team and since March 2022 has served as interim Deputy Director supporting the Dean of Mission, Ministry and Education, the Revd Rob Merchant while he served as interim Director of Education.
Commenting on her appointment, Carrie Prior said:
“I am delighted to be serving our family of schools as the Director of Education in the Diocese of Chelmsford. Over the past eleven months I have enjoyed the opportunity to lead as Interim Deputy Director, working alongside Revd Rob Merchant. I am always in awe of the fantastic work of our schools, and the passion and determination with which leaders, staff and governors ensure children have the opportunity to flourish. As I move into this new role, I do so with a commitment to supporting this work, to continuing to advocate for the role of Church Schools in the wider system, and to ensuring a strengthened focus on opportunities to develop life in all its fullness.”
Bishop Guli welcomed Carrie’s appointment saying:
“I am very pleased indeed to announce Carrie Prior’s appointment as our new Diocesan Director of Education. Carrie brings a breadth of experience to the role as a former teacher and senior school leader, and from her work serving our school communities as part of our Diocesan Education Team. The interview panel found Carrie to be a person of considerable vision and deep commitment and I am very much looking forward to working with her in her new role.”
The Chair of the Chelmsford Diocese Board of Education (CDBE), the Venerable Robin King said:
“Carrie’s appointment is good news for the young people, teachers, staff and communities of the 139 church schools in Chelmsford Diocese. Carrie has served with distinction in her previous roles with the CDBE and was hugely impressive at interview. In particular, she demonstrated the importance of linking school, church and home to enable the spiritual flourishing of children and young people. I’m very much looking forward to serving alongside her as she starts her new role as Diocesan Director of Education.”
The Revd Rob Merchant, Dean of Mission, Ministry and Education said:
“It has been a great privilege to serve as interim Diocesan Director of Education since February 2022. Our family of schools serve a diverse array of communities enabling children and young people to know life in all its fullness. It is a challenging time for our schools, I am pleased that they will have someone of Carrie’s calibre and ability serving them as their new Diocesan Director of Education alongside our diocesan education team.”
Carrie will start her role as Diocesan Director of Education on 1 February 2023.
