Schools & Educational Improvement Adviser – AR

Carrington Blake Recruitment; Greater London; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Carrington Blake Recruitment is seeking a Schools & Educational Improvement Adviser for Lambeth Council to support strategic direction and improvement of schools borough-wide. The role targets maintained schools while building partnerships with academies and academy trusts.

You will advise Headteachers, senior leaders and Chairs of Governors to raise educational standards and outcomes for children and young people.

Qualifications

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) is required.
• Significant senior-level experience in education or statutory provision.
• Proven school improvement across multiple schools or settings.

Responsibilities

• Lead and contribute to school improvement activity across Lambeth primary and secondary schools.
• Provide strategic advice, challenge and support to Headteachers, senior leaders and Chairs of Governors.
• Identify schools needing additional support and oversee monitoring, intervention and improvement strategies.
• Support schools with vulnerabilities, including leadership, governance, finance, safeguarding and outcomes.
• Monitor standards and analyse school performance data to identify risks and opportunities.
• Develop and oversee targeted improvement plans with measurable, sustained impact.
• Build capacity in school leaders and clusters to deliver effective improvements.
• Deliver leadership, training and professional development for school leaders and staff.

Skills

Senior education leadership

Strategic advisory

Data analysis

Stakeholder management

Education

Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)

Job description

Job Description – Schools & Educational Improvement Adviser

Job Title: Schools & Educational Improvement Adviser
Location: Lambeth, London - Hybrid
Working Pattern: 3-4 days per week, including 2-3 days working in schools
Start Date: ASAP

Role Overview

Lambeth Council is seeking an experienced Schools & Educational Improvement Adviser to support the strategic direction and improvement of schools across the borough.

The successful candidate will work primarily with maintained schools, while also developing effective relationships with academies and academy trusts. The role will provide strategic advice, challenge and support to Headteachers, senior leaders and governing bodies, with a strong focus on improving educational standards and outcomes for children and young people.

You will work closely with the Assistant Director of Education, Safeguarding & Partnerships and the wider Education & Learning Senior Leadership Team.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and contribute to school improvement activity across Lambeth primary and secondary schools.
• Provide strategic advice, challenge and support to Headteachers, senior leaders and Chairs of Governors.
• Identify schools requiring additional support and oversee appropriate monitoring, intervention and improvement strategies.
• Support schools with multiple vulnerabilities, including issues relating to leadership, governance, finance, safeguarding and educational outcomes.
• Monitor educational standards and analyse school performance data, identifying risks, trends and opportunities for improvement.
• Develop and oversee targeted improvement plans and ensure interventions deliver measurable and sustained impact.
• Work closely with school leaders and clusters to build their capacity to deliver effective school improvement.
• Develop and deliver leadership, training and professional development opportunities for school leaders and staff.
• Work alongside Governance Services to provide effective governance support to schools.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with academies, trusts and other education partners.
• Provide advice and challenge to schools experiencing financial deficits, supporting sustainable recovery planning and appropriate organisational or structural changes.
• Monitor and report on vulnerable schools, ensuring early intervention is implemented where required.
• Contribute to targeted support meetings and oversee the implementation and impact of intervention plans.
• Keep up to date with national and local education policy, statutory requirements and emerging school improvement practice.
• Produce reports for senior leadership on school performance, improvement activity, impact and value for money.
• Identify opportunities to develop new school improvement services, programmes and sources of funding.
• Contribute to the recruitment, induction and development of Headteachers, teachers and other education leaders.
• Work collaboratively across the Education & Learning service to ensure improvement activity is coordinated and aligned with Lambeth's priorities.

Essential Experience & Qualifications

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
• Significant senior-level experience within education and/or statutory education provision.
• Proven experience of school improvement across multiple schools or educational settings.
• Experience as a Headteacher, senior school leader and/or Ofsted inspection professional.
• Strong understanding of school improvement, educational standards and evidence-based improvement strategies.
• Strong knowledge of safeguarding requirements, including Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE).
• Understanding of the Ofsted Education Inspection Framework (EIF) and SEND Code of Practice.
• Experience of working with school leadership teams, governors and other education partners.
• Strong understanding of school performance data and the ability to use intelligence to identify risk and inform intervention.
• Knowledge of school finance and deficit recovery planning, including the impact of financial pressures on staffing, curriculum and organisational structures.
• Experience of supporting improved outcomes for children and young people through collaborative partnership working.
• Understanding of the challenges facing schools and communities within a deprived inner-city environment.
• Knowledge of the wider financial, legal and operational environment in which schools and Local Authorities operate.

Key Skills

• School Improvement & Intervention
• Strategic Education Leadership
• Performance Data & Analysis
• Ofsted & Inspection
• Safeguarding
• Headteacher & Senior Leadership Support
• Governance
• School Finance & Deficit Recovery
• Stakeholder & Partnership Management
• Training & Leadership Development
• Risk Assessment & Quality Assurance
• Report Writing & Strategic Planning

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will be a senior education professional with substantial experience of improving outcomes across multiple schools. You will be confident working with Headteachers, governors, academy trusts and senior Local Authority officers, providing both supportive advice and appropriate professional challenge.

You will need to be highly analytical and able to use school performance, financial and safeguarding information to identify risks and determine appropriate interventions. Strong communication, relationship-building and leadership skills are essential, alongside the ability to operate effectively in a fast-moving Local Authority environment.