School Improvement Adviser

Leeds City Council; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A local educational authority based in Leeds is seeking a School Improvement Adviser to support schools in enhancing educational outcomes. The role involves monitoring school performance, assisting with governance, and facilitating collaboration among schools. Ideal candidates should have significant leadership experience in primary or secondary education and a commitment to professional development. The position offers competitive compensation, benefits, and opportunities for flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund

Flexible working arrangements

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in collaborating with schools and partner organisations.
• Recent leadership experience in one or more primary/secondary schools.
• Strong background in raising educational standards.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and challenge schools through various visits.
• Raise educational standards and close achievement gaps.
• Advise on school performance and governance.

Skills

Ability to analyse information

Relationship building

Time management

Communication skills

Initiative

Education

Leadership experience in primary/secondary schools

Professional development qualifications

Tools

Microsoft 365 applications

Job description

We want to be the best city for children and young people to grow up and be educated in. Leeds School Improvement Service works closely with Head teachers, school governors and a range of LA services and external partners to secure the best possible educational outcomes for our children and young people. As our next School Improvement Adviser, you will be a key player in our ongoing improvement journey and support for schools and education settings across the city. The role is integral to our learning Improvement team and we are looking for an excellent and self‑motivated candidate with primary or secondary experience to join our team. Roles within our Learning Improvement service are suited to compassionate and caring people who want to make a real difference to children and young people in Leeds.

Job Purpose

The post will play a significant role in identifying city wide priorities and contributing to their development through the challenge and support of leadership and governance in maintained schools.

Responsibilities

• To monitor and challenge schools through a cycle of visits at school.
• To increase the capability of schools to become autonomous and to take responsibility for their own improvement.
• To raise standards and close the achievement gap in Leeds schools and secure improved pupil outcomes through effective monitoring and challenge.
• To provide an objective view of the school's performance data by considering its national test results, trends over time, the school's own tracking data and analyse evidence regarding school improvement.
• To discuss the school's priorities for the coming year, based on the analysis of data to ensure that expectations are ambitious and realistic.
• To challenge schools, where necessary, on their capacity to improve and whether they have selected appropriate priorities for improvement and development.
• To support schools to focus on pupil achievement, the quality of teaching, leadership and management and the behaviour and safety of pupils in line with the most recent OFSTED Framework for the Inspection of Schools.
• To support leadership teams to develop accurate self‑evaluation of classroom practice and provision.
• To identify underperforming schools and lead on intervention strategies and the brokering of effective support to secure rapid improvement.
• To provide information to Governing Boards and Leeds City Council on a school's performance and development.
• To coordinate programmes of support for identified schools causing concern, monitoring progress to ensure rapid improvement.
• To support schools to learn from one another and facilitate the sharing of best practice.
• To support schools and Governing Boards to identify and collaborate with appropriate partners to enhance learning and opportunities for learners.
• To monitor the impact of appropriate support for schools.
• To make judgements about the progress of schools, agree an appropriate category in accordance with Leeds City Council Learning Improvement Challenge and Support Offer and broker appropriate support and intervention.
• To advise and support Governors on the appointment of Headteachers.
• To support Governors to challenge the leadership of their schools.
• To engage and liaise with other external organisations to support schools.
• To advise Leeds City Council about the progress of schools and the impact of partnership support through the appropriate systems.
• To ensure that the Head of Learning Improvement is alerted to schools displaying exceptional practice or demonstrating underperformance.
• To take responsibility for specific strands of development as required.
• To contribute to the traded offer from all teams within Learning Improvement.
• To participate in appraisal, training and development activities as necessary, to ensure up to date knowledge and skills and to contribute to the overall ethos. Work and aims of the service.
• To improve own practice through observation, evaluation, discussion with colleagues and development programmes.
• Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures e.g. child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person.
• Be aware of and ensure equality for all working in an anti‑discriminatory manner, upholding and promoting the values, standards and equal opportunities of Leeds City Council.
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment or victimisation and any form of abuse of equal opportunities, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures.

Required Skills and Knowledge

• Able to sort, analyse and evaluate information relevant to school improvement and the ability to apply criteria to make sound judgements.
• Able to build and maintain positive and collaborative relationships with colleagues and partner organisations.
• Able to effectively manage a challenging workload within a pressurised environment and meet tight and often conflicting deadlines.
• Able to anticipate issues, plan solutions and make informed decisions by being creative, innovative and forward thinking.
• Able to promote the aims and aspirations of the organisation.
• Able to complete tasks to high standards.
• Able to communicate appropriately with a wide range of stakeholders through a variety of different methods and formats and the ability to influence views and behaviour to meet objectives.
• Able to work collaboratively and effectively as part of a team and to demonstrate excellent organisational and time management skills prioritising own and team's work to meet conflicting deadlines.
• Able to use initiative to think creatively and manage competing priorities whilst delivering on a range of service objectives and adapting to changing circumstances.
• Able to gather a range of information and data from a wide range of sources, services and settings/locations and present these in a consistent and coherent manner.
• Computer literate, with a good working knowledge of Microsoft 365 applications and managing information safely, legally and in line with GDPR and information governance.

Knowledge Required

• Understanding of the principles and practice of effective school leadership and management.
• Thorough understanding of recent education legislation and how it impacts on schools, Local Authorities and local communities.
• Understanding of whole school improvement and the leadership and management of change.
• Knowledge and understanding of how data can be used to support school improvement, raise attainment, improve outcomes for pupils and narrow the gap.
• Knowledge and understanding of policy and practice relating to school improvement, including challenge and support for schools causing concern.
• Thorough knowledge of the Ofsted framework for the inspection of schools and how it impacts on schools and the work of school improvement.
• Understanding of the school curriculum and assessment regimes.
• Understanding of what constitutes and contributes to effective teaching and learning.
• Understanding of the principles and practices which underpin school self‑evaluation.
• Awareness of the issues involved in professional support for head teachers, staff and governors in their drive to raise standards.
• Understanding of the principles and practices which underpin school self‑evaluation.

Experience

• Experience of building and maintaining positive and collaborative relationships with colleagues and partner organisations.
• Recent leadership experience in one or more primary/secondary schools or leadership in a Local Authority.
• Successful experience of raising standards in schools.
• Significant senior leadership experience in complex organisations undergoing change.
• Evidence of a commitment to continuous personal professional development.
• Experience of operational management in schools and settings.

Behavioural & Other Characteristics Required

• A commitment to equality of opportunity and an understanding of how this impacts on practice.
• A commitment to continuous improvement.
• An ability to understand and observe Leeds City Council Equal Opportunities Policy.
• To carry out all duties having regard to an employee's responsibility under Health & Safety Policies.
• Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities to ensure up to date knowledge, skills and continuous professional development.
• Interpersonal effectiveness, including emotional intelligence.

Desirable Requirements

• Evidence of the ability to meet the full range of skills, competencies, knowledge and understanding outlined in the National Standards for School Improvement Professionals as published by the DfES and ASPECT 2005.
• Evidence of further professional leadership qualifications taken (e.g. NPQH).
• Experience of school leadership in a range of different contexts.
• Evidence of providing school‑to‑school support.
• Evidence of educational leadership work with external stakeholders (e.g. Local Leeds City Council).

Salary and Benefits

• Competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays.
• Membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements.
• A clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities.
• A range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further.
• Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees.

Employment Conditions

• This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.
• If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.