Church of England names DfE official as education chief

The Church of England has appointed a longstanding Department for Education official as its chief education officer, following the departure of Nigel Genders.

Charlie Lang, a civil servant who has worked at the DfE for more than 20 years, will take up the role in November.

Mr Lang will also concurrently hold the role of chief executive of the National Society of Education, the arm of the Church that leads its work on schools.

He is currently the director of the DfE’s ”Maximising Value for Pupils” programme, which aims to make school finances stretch further across energy, supply teaching and banking by using DfE frameworks and deals.

During his time at the DfE, Mr Lang also oversaw the SEND and alternative provision review in 2023, the Timpson review of school exclusion in 2019 and the Munro review of child protection in 2011.

He also led the expansion of the free schools programme and the establishment of behaviour hubs and alternative provision task forces.

Mr Lang said: “I look forward to visiting and collaborating with colleagues in the National Society team and across the Church’s education family - from dioceses, trusts and schools to colleges and universities - building on their great strengths and rich heritage so that more children and young people can flourish and encounter the love of Jesus.”

National Society of Education

The National Society of Education oversees the Church’s 4,700 schools - mostly primaries.

Mr Genders, who held the role for 10 years, was appointed the chief schools adjudicator in November last year.

Andy Wolfe has been the interim CEO and chief education officer since then and will continue in the role until Mr Lang takes up the position.

More than 2,500 Church of England schools are local authority-maintained, including 2,465 primaries and 30 secondaries.

Writing for Tes earlier this year, Mr Wolfe said the Church welcomes the government’s ambition for all schools to be in a multi-academy trust, as it aligns with its long-term vision for its schools.

Jonathan Frost, chair of the National Society for Education, said: “Charlie brings to the role an exceptional combination of educational expertise, strategic leadership and deep Christian commitment.

“Throughout his career, Charlie has demonstrated a passion for enabling children and young people to flourish, particularly those who are most vulnerable or at risk of being overlooked.

“Charlie’s experience at the highest levels of public service, together with his long-standing service in the life of the Church, will be an enabling and inspiring gift to our network of schools, colleges, MATs, universities, diocesan teams and boards of education.”