Director of Education

Katie Fitzsimmons joined us as the CEO of Salisbury Diocese Board of Education (SDBE) and our Diocesan Director Education in September 2023.

The DBE is a registered charity whose purpose is to serve and support our Church of England schools across the diocese, to support  the teaching of RE and the delivery of collective worship, and to enable the flourishing of pupils and students.

 Katie has a background in education, training as a teacher of modern languages before moving into school leadership and then into   school improvement support. She is an experienced school leader having worked in schools in Kent, Cornwall and London, as well  as supporting schools across Worcestershire whilst working for Babcock.  Katie has also worked in schools across the south of  England in her role supporting Voice 21, a charity committed to developing oracy teaching and increasing oracy skills in children and  young people.

 Katie joined the Church of England as Director for Schools and then Diocesan Director of Education in the Diocese of Truro,   pioneering work in the changing educational landscape and supporting their diocesan vision to develop stronger links between   schools and parishes. She supported this in her role as Growing Faith Champion and connected diocesan working to its impact on  young people, notably through child focused diocesan synods. 

 As well as her role with us, Katie is chair of the Association of Anglican Directors of Education, representing Diocesan Boards of Education across the country, and represents DDEs on the national Net Zero Carbon Schools Board.

Katie has moved to the area with her husband, Chris, and their children, two of whom are now settled into schools locally whilst one completes at college.