Head of School Inclusion and Improvement

Gloucestershire County Council; Gloucester; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible and agile working

Annual leave 25 days rising to 30

Career development opportunities

Supportive working environment

Local Government Pension Scheme

Employee Assistance Programme 24/7

Cycle to Work and Green Car schemes

Inclusive networks

Job summary

Gloucestershire County Council's Education Directorate is seeking a senior leader to head the School Inclusion and Improvement Service, overseeing inclusion, improvement, governance, and specialist services.

You will drive evidence-based reform, advise elected members, manage large teams and resources, and work with schools, trusts and partners to raise standards and secure better outcomes for children and young people.

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level.
• Hold a relevant professional qualification relating to services for children and young people.
• Experience of management training or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead the School Inclusion and Improvement Service portfolio including inclusion, improvement and governance.
• Provide strategic direction and translate national policy into local delivery to improve outcomes for children and young people.
• Advise senior leaders and elected members and lead teams through change, using data to identify risk and drive improvement.
• Collaborate with schools, multi-academy trusts, governing bodies and regional partners to raise standards.
• Oversee specialist teaching, educational psychology and related services and manage substantial resources.

Education

Degree level

Relevant professional qualification relating to services for children and young people

Job description

Are you an inspirational education leader who can bring partners together to improve inclusion, raise standards and secure better outcomes for every child and young person?

About the Team & Role

This is an exciting opportunity to join Gloucestershire County Council's Education Directorate in a senior leadership role with significant influence across the county's education system. As Head of School Inclusion and Improvement Service, you will lead a broad portfolio encompassing school inclusion and improvement, governance, specialist teaching, educational psychology, Gloucestershire School Improvement, Gloucestershire Music Service, and Gloucestershire Healthy Living and Learning.

Working with schools, single and multi-academy trusts, governing bodies, regional and national partners, you will shape a high-quality, joined-up offer that responds to the changing needs of children, young people and the education system.

You will provide a clear strategic direction, strengthen mainstream inclusion and ensure that evidence, professional challenge and timely support drive sustainable improvement.

This is a visible and influential role in which you will advise senior leaders and elected members, oversee statutory responsibilities and lead talented teams through a period of significant national and local reform.

To ensure timely recruitment to this role, we are keen to explore opportunities for both interim and permanent arrangements.

You will be an experienced and credible senior education leader with a strong record of improving services and outcomes for children, young people and families.

You will understand the national policy and legislative landscape and be able to translate this into effective local strategy and delivery.

You will bring excellent partnership, communication and influencing skills, together with the political awareness required to work successfully in a complex system.

You will be able to use data and intelligence to identify risk, make sound decisions and provide constructive support and challenge.

We are looking for an inclusive, collaborative and resilient leader who can inspire high-performing teams, manage significant resources and lead organisational and system change.

You will be educated to degree level and hold a relevant professional qualification relating to services for children and young people, together with appropriate management training or experience.

It is a legal requirement, under the Immigration Act 2016, that anyone appointed to a 'customer facing role' must be able to demonstrate an ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence in fluent English.

At Gloucestershire County Council, we are committed to making a positive difference for the county's children, young people, families and communities. We want Gloucestershire to be a place where every child can benefit from ambitious, inclusive and high-quality education, whatever their needs, circumstances or the school they attend.

We aim to be an employer of choice and provide an inclusive and supportive working environment in which colleagues can bring their whole selves to work and realise their potential.

In return for your contribution, we offer:

• Flexible and agile working opportunities, where the needs of the role allow
• Annual leave entitlement of 25 days, rising to 30 days after five years' continuous service
• Career development and qualification opportunities
• A supportive and positive working environment
• Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme
• Access to our confidential Employee Assistance Programme, available online and by telephone 24 hours a day
• Cycle to Work and Green Car salary sacrifice schemes, subject to eligibility and terms and conditions
• Access to employee networks and opportunities to contribute to an inclusive workplace
• The role will involve travel throughout Gloucestershire and occasional work outside normal office hours.