Head of Virtual School (Internal for Barnet & BELS) in London

This position is open to internal candidates employed by LBB, employees of Barnet Education and Learning Service (BELS). Any applications received from external candidates outside of the above will not be considered and will be automatically rejected.

About Barnet Council

Barnet is a borough with much to be proud of. Our excellent schools, vibrant town centres, vast green spaces and diverse communities all help make it a great place to live and work. As a council we want to build on these strengths as we move into the future. We are growing and developing as an organisation to meet the challenges facing our borough and we are committed to working with partner organisations and residents to make Barnet even better. As an organisation, our staff are committed to Our Values: Learning to Improve, Caring, Inclusive, Collaborative – which drive everything we do.

About the role

• To promote the educational achievement of children looked after by the London Borough of Barnet, regardless of where they are placed and all children with a social worker overseen by Barnet Family Services.
• To monitor and track the educational progress of the children looked after by the London Borough of Barnet as if they are attending a single school.
• To support the council’s statutory Director of Children’s Services to exercise his/her responsibility for promoting the educational achievement of the children looked after by the authority, by working with BELS and Virtual School colleagues to plan how this is achieved.
• To promote the educational achievement of previously looked-after children in the local authority area by providing information and advice to:

• any person that has parental responsibility for the child;
• providers of funded early years education, designated teachers for previously looked-after children in maintained schools and academies; and
• any other person the authority considers appropriate for promoting the educational achievement of relevant children.

About you

• Degree level qualification or equivalent (Essential)
• Minimum of five years’ experience working with children and young people in an education setting (Essential)
• A track record of successful leadership and management experience at a senior level, including at least two years of experience of senior management in a school (Essential)
• A sound understanding of how children learn, how teachers can best teach, and how to raise standards through careful monitoring and target-setting (Essential)

What we offer

• 31 days annual leave, plus public and bank holidays
• Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme, which provides a valuable guaranteed income in your retirement together with security for your dependents
• Work-life balance options may include hybrid working, flexitime, job share, home working, part-time
• A vast range of lifestyle discounts from major retailers, supermarkets, energy suppliers and more
• Broad range of payroll benefits including cycle to work, eye care vouchers, travel and gym membership
• Excellent training and development opportunities
• Employee well-being training programs including confidential employee assistance

How to apply

Read the job description and person specification before clicking ‘Apply’ to commence the online application form. If you would like any further information about the role before applying, please contact Neil on neil.marlow@barnet.gov.uk.

Barnet Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Barnet operates stringent safer recruitment procedures.

To deliver Barnet Council’s commitment to equality of opportunity in the provision of services, all staff are expected to promote equality in the workplace and in the services the Council delivers. As such we value diversity and welcome applications from all backgrounds.

Barnet Council is a Disability Confident Committed Employer. We welcome and encourage job applications of all abilities. If you require any reasonable adjustments in the application or interview, please contact the lead contact on this advert.

All posts with the council are subject to a probationary period of six months, during which time you will be required to demonstrate to the council satisfaction your suitability for the position in which you will be employed.

Due to the high number of applications that are received for some posts we may close vacancies before the stated closing date if sufficient number of applications are received. Therefore, please apply as soon as possible.

Please ensure you regularly check the email account (including JUNK MAIL folders) that you use to submit your application, as any further communication regarding your application will be sent electronically. Should you not hear from us within four working weeks of the closing date for this post, then regretfully in this instance, you have not been shortlisted.