The Bishop of Salisbury, the Right Revd Nicholas Holtam, has announced that Joy Tubbs has been appointed the diocese’s new director of education.

She has been the deputy director of education for the diocese since 2011.

Bishop Nicholas said: “I am delighted that we have made such a strong appointment to a vital post and that we will be continue to benefit from Joy’s considerable experience and skill.

"She has many years experience in school improvement, including at the highest level, having worked as a national adviser for the Department for Education, with responsibility for the development of School Improvement Partners and the Improving Schools Programme.

“Joy has been an outstanding Deputy Director of the Board of Education for over three years. We are very confident in her ability and in taking on what for her are new responsibilities, for which she hits the ground running.”

Canon Harold Stephens, the chairman of the Diocese of Salisbury’s Board of Education, added: “We are fortunate to be able to appoint someone with the right experience and vision during a period of great change for schools and colleges.

"Joy worked as a front line teacher for 14 years, spent 10 years working on school improvement for Wiltshire’s Education Authority, and four years in a national school improvement role.

“Her excellent working relationships with schools and clergy are a vital asset as the government policy and social context for education continues to change, and the Diocese’s academies trust continues to expand.”

Commenting on her appointment, Ms Tubbs said: “It is a great privilege as director to have the opportunity to serve the children of the Diocese of Salisbury, head teachers and their parishes.”