Schools and Educational Improvement Adviser

Position: Schools and Educational Improvement Adviser

Location: 6 Brixton Hill, London, Lambeth, SW2 1RW

Start Date: ASAP

Contract Duration: 3+ Months - Hybrid - 2-3 days in schools

Working Hours: Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week

Pay Rate: £ 47.85 per hour

Job Reference:  OR(phone number removed)

Job Responsibilities

Provide strategic school improvement support across Lambeth primary and secondary schools, with a focus on maintained schools and engagement with academies.

Work closely with senior education leaders, headteachers and governing bodies to improve educational outcomes for children and young people.

Develop and implement effective school improvement strategies, training and leadership development programmes.

Provide advice, challenge and support to schools, particularly those causing concern or experiencing multiple vulnerabilities.

Oversee school improvement activity and ensure robust quality assurance, monitoring and evaluation of impact.

Identify and assess risks within maintained schools and provide timely, evidence-based advice and intervention.

Lead targeted support and intervention planning for vulnerable schools, monitoring progress and impact.

Analyse school performance data and provide clear reports on educational standards, outcomes, risks and areas for improvement.

Support schools with financial deficits, including deficit recovery planning and consideration of sustainable organisational and structural solutions.

Develop effective governance support in partnership with Governor Services and school leaders.

Work collaboratively with academies, trusts, school clusters and other education partners to strengthen school improvement capacity.

Provide expert leadership, training, challenge and support to headteachers, teachers and other school leaders.

Contribute to the recruitment, induction and development of headteachers and senior education leaders.

Monitor national and local education policy and identify opportunities to strengthen the Council's school improvement offer.

Identify opportunities for new services, contracts and grant funding that support improved outcomes.

Promote equality, diversity, inclusion and community cohesion across school improvement activity.

Produce regular reports for senior leadership on service performance, impact and value for money.

Person Specification

Essential

Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) with evidence of continuing professional development.

Substantial professional knowledge of the education system, school improvement and safeguarding frameworks.

Strong understanding of statutory education requirements, including Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE), Ofsted frameworks and the SEND Code of Practice.

Good understanding of the Local Authority's role in monitoring, challenging and supporting maintained schools.

Strong knowledge of school improvement strategies, leadership, teaching, learning, inclusion and educational outcomes.

Understanding of the financial, legal and operational environment within schools and an inner-London local authority.

Knowledge of school finance systems and experience of deficit recovery planning.

Understanding of the challenges faced by schools and communities in a deprived inner-city area.

Substantial senior management experience within statutory education or school improvement.

Proven track record of improving outcomes and service delivery across schools or learning organisations.

Experience as a headteacher, senior school leader and/or in Ofsted inspection.

Experience of working across multiple schools and education settings to deliver school improvement.

Experience of collaborative working with schools, local authorities and external partners.

Strong analytical skills and ability to use performance data to identify risks, priorities and improvement opportunities.

Excellent communication, influencing, leadership and presentation skills.

Ability to provide effective challenge while building positive and productive relationships.

Strong commitment to equality, inclusion, safeguarding and achieving the best outcomes for children and young people.

Ability to work strategically while responding flexibly to changing priorities.

Key Behaviours

Equity: Promotes fairness, inclusion, diversity and collaborative working.

Kindness: Communicates with empathy, respect and integrity and supports the development of others.

Accountability: Takes responsibility for decisions, performance and outcomes and acts promptly when issues arise.

Ambition: Promotes high standards, innovation, continuous improvement and positive outcomes for children and communities.

Working Arrangements

Start: ASAP.

Contract pattern: 3–4 days per week.

Working arrangement: Hybrid, with 2–3 days per week based in schools.

Rate: £450–£500 Ltd per day