At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a diverse team to improve educational outcomes for vulnerable children and young people.
- Company: Join AfC, an Outstanding-rated organisation making a real difference in children's lives.
- Benefits: Enjoy 29-35 days annual leave, hybrid working, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Access to extensive resources and a positive workplace culture.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact on the education of children with social workers.
- Qualifications: Degree level education, qualified teacher status, and leadership experience required.
The predicted salary is between 47000 - 131056 € per year.
We're proud to announce that AfC's Children's Services in Richmond have been awarded an Outstanding rating by Ofsted. This places Richmond alongside Kingston, which also holds an Outstanding rating, as a top-performing service. Our separately inspected Fostering Service has achieved a strong ‘Good’ rating, recognising our skilled and dedicated fostering workforce. Come work with a skilled, stable workforce and be part of an organization that's truly making a difference.
AfC Virtual School supports the education of all children with a social worker. This includes Children Looked After (CLA), Previously Looked After Children, children in Kinship Care, Children in Need, those on Child Protection Plans, and Care Leavers across Kingston, Richmond, and Windsor and Maidenhead.
About the role
The Virtual School Headteacher is a statutory and senior role within all local authorities and will report directly to the Deputy Director of Education. The successful candidate will drive forward, at a strategic and operational level, the best possible educational and employment outcomes for children looked after and previously looked after, care leavers and children with a social worker. This is a key role that will lead on developing, implementing, and embedding the strategic plan for the service and the operation action plan. The postholder will lead on identifying and securing opportunities for creative partnerships and funding that will improve the integrated support available to children, young people and families locally.
For an informal chat about the role please contact Clive Haines, Deputy Director for Education, clive.haines@achievingforchildren.org.uk
About you
We are looking for an individual who will be able to provide visible and effective leadership to a diverse team of professionals within the service who possess the following skills and experience:
- Educated to a degree level with qualified teacher status and Leadership experience
- Extensive experience in leading a team, undertaking line management, performance management and change management and Virtual School Leadership experience
- Experience of building strong partnerships, maintaining relationships and co-producing solutions to challenges across a diverse set of stakeholders, including children, young people and their families. Advocating the voices of those we are working with
- Proven ability to effectively use data, intelligence and evidence to create meaningful insight, to inform own decision making and to support the raising of attainment and standards in education
- Excellent organisational experience of supporting vulnerable children including Looked after Children in Education settings and working knowledge of OFSTED inspection frameworks
- Knowledge of barriers to learning for our cohorts, underlining causes and strategies to address the impact.
- Knowledge of statutory legislation (for example Children’s Act) and national policy drivers that will affect children’s services and your role
- Excellent knowledge of assessment practice and ability to advise on the setting and review of suitable SMART targets.
- Experience of addressing specific equality or diversity issues within your practice with colleagues/service users and taking action to solve them
About our benefits
We are focused on creating a positive supportive environment, where you will have access to a really wide range of resources, as well as a competitive salary and all the perks to enable hybrid working. In AfC you will also have access to:
- 29 days annual leave, increasing to 33 days after 2 years and 35 days after 4 years with an additional day off in your birthday month (Or for term-time workers, your leave entitlement consists of the non-working periods in your contract)
- Tailored induction sessions commencing on the date you start working for AfC
- Local Government salary and pension scheme (LGPS or Teachers Pension)
- Flexible working options - helping to keep a good work life balance
- A comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
Headteacher Virtual School in Kingston upon Thames employer: Achieving For Children
At AfC, we pride ourselves on being an outstanding employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of children and families. Our supportive work culture fosters professional growth through tailored induction sessions and flexible working options, ensuring a healthy work-life balance. Join us in Richmond, where you will be part of a skilled team committed to driving educational success for vulnerable children, with access to competitive benefits including generous annual leave and a robust pension scheme.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Headteacher Virtual School in Kingston upon Thames
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in education and children's services. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about the role and even potential recommendations.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching AfC's values and recent achievements. Show us you’re passionate about making a difference in children's lives and how your experience aligns with our mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! We want to hear about your experiences in managing teams and driving change. Use the STAR method to structure your answers and keep it engaging.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our amazing team at AfC.
We think you need these skills to ace Headteacher Virtual School in Kingston upon Thames
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for education and supporting vulnerable children shine through. We want to see how much you care about making a difference in their lives!
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in leadership and working with diverse teams. We’re looking for someone who can demonstrate their ability to drive educational outcomes, so be specific about your achievements.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications and fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity with AfC.
How to prepare for a job interview at Achieving For Children
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the specifics of the role. Familiarise yourself with the responsibilities of a Virtual School Headteacher and understand the key challenges faced by children with social workers. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge and passion during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership experience, especially in managing diverse teams and driving educational outcomes. Think about times when you've successfully advocated for vulnerable children or built strong partnerships with stakeholders, as these are crucial for this role.
✨Data is Your Friend
Be ready to discuss how you’ve used data to inform decision-making in previous roles. Bring examples of how you’ve raised attainment and standards through evidence-based strategies. This will show that you can effectively use insights to support the children and families you’ll be working with.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions to ask at the end of your interview. This could include inquiries about the strategic plans for the Virtual School or how they measure success in supporting children. It shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it’s the right fit for you.
