At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead education improvement initiatives and support services during a critical inspection period.
- Company: Dynamic local authority focused on enhancing educational outcomes.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, hybrid working, and opportunity to make a real impact.
- Other info: Join a passionate team dedicated to creating a diverse workforce.
- Why this job: Be a key player in transforming education services for children and young people.
- Qualifications: Experience in education improvement and strong leadership skills required.
6-month contract | Start ASAP
East Midlands Local Authority
£500-£550 per day
Inside IR35 (via umbrella)
Hybrid working – 3 days onsite per week
CVs are being reviewed immediately and interviews will be taking place week commencing 11 May 2026.
You will be stepping into an education service operating within a live inspection window, where improvement activity is already underway and now needs to be accelerated and embedded. As Education Improvement Consultant, you will work closely with the Head of Service and senior leaders to drive measurable improvement across education services (Inclusion, SEND, Attendance), ensuring stronger practice, greater consistency and better outcomes for children, young people and families. You will be reporting directly into the Director of Improvement for this role.
This role is about influence, credibility and pace. You will be supporting a well-established education workforce that knows the system well but needs to be challenged and supported in new ways. Rather than direct line management, you will role-model a questioning, coaching approach – coming alongside leaders and practitioners to help them reflect, improve and sustain change. As Education Improvement Consultant, you will be highly visible, flexible and targeted in your approach, focusing your time and expertise where it will make the biggest difference. The context is demanding, expectations are high and scrutiny is constant – but this is a genuine opportunity to help an education service move confidently through inspection and beyond.
Your role as Education Improvement Consultant:
- Drive delivery of the education improvement plan during a critical inspection period
- Provide targeted, wrap-around support to priority education services and settings
- Role-model high-quality practice, using coaching and a questioning approach to embed improvement
- Strengthen outcomes by improving systems, leadership grip and consistency of practice
- Balance high support and high challenge, delivered with pace, resilience and kindness
Your previous experience as Education Improvement Consultant:
- Proven experience leading education improvement within a local authority or equivalent system
- Strong operational and strategic knowledge across education services, including SEND, Inclusion and Attendance
- Credibility with experienced education leaders, able to challenge established views of “good” practice
- Track record of working under inspection pressure, delivering improvement at pace
- Resilient, values-led approach, combining challenge with empathy and influence
As Education Improvement Consultant, you will play a pivotal role in helping education services move from improvement activity to sustained impact – supporting leaders, strengthening practice and improving outcomes for children and young people.
If you’re interested in discussing this opportunity in more detail or know someone who this may be of interest to, please contact Max Driscoll or Sarah Williams on 0117 313 7110 or apply today.
(We offer a senior referral scheme upon successful placement of your recommendation, so please do get in contact.)
Our clients are passionate about creating and evolving a diverse workforce and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant. Recruiting decisions are based on experience and skills, and any reasonable adjustments will be fully supported throughout the application and hiring process.
Education Improvement Lead employer: Baltimore Consulting
As an Education Improvement Consultant with our East Midlands Local Authority, you will join a dynamic team dedicated to enhancing educational outcomes for children and young people. We offer a supportive work culture that values resilience and empathy, alongside opportunities for professional growth through collaboration with experienced leaders. With a focus on meaningful impact during a critical inspection period, this role provides the chance to make a real difference in the community while enjoying the flexibility of hybrid working.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Education Improvement Lead
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a role that’s perfect for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching the local authority's current challenges and successes. This way, you can tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their needs and demonstrate your understanding of the context.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your coaching approach! Since this role is all about influence and support, think of examples from your past where you've successfully helped others improve. Be ready to share these stories during your interviews.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we’re here to help you every step of the way in landing that dream job.
We think you need these skills to ace Education Improvement Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Education Improvement Consultant role. Highlight your experience in leading education improvement and working under inspection pressure. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Showcase Your Impact:When writing your application, focus on the measurable improvements you've driven in previous roles. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to challenge established practices and deliver results. We love seeing real impact!
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your application. We value a resilient, values-led approach, so don’t be afraid to share your passion for education and how you balance support with challenge. Authenticity goes a long way!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s the quickest way for us to review your application and get you into the interview process. Don’t miss out!
How to prepare for a job interview at Baltimore Consulting
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest trends and challenges in education improvement, especially around SEND, Inclusion, and Attendance. Familiarise yourself with the local authority's current strategies and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals.
✨Showcase Your Coaching Skills
Since this role emphasises a coaching approach, prepare examples of how you've successfully supported leaders and practitioners in the past. Think about specific situations where your questioning techniques led to meaningful improvements.
✨Demonstrate Resilience and Empathy
The context is demanding, so be ready to talk about how you've managed pressure in previous roles. Share stories that highlight your ability to balance high support with high challenge, showcasing your values-led approach.
✨Engage with the Interviewers
Remember, interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions that show your interest in their current improvement plans and how you can contribute. This will not only demonstrate your enthusiasm but also help you gauge if the role is the right fit for you.
