Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a passionate team to improve educational outcomes for children in care.
- Company: Join Darlington Borough Council, dedicated to inclusion and support.
- Benefits: Enjoy 32 days annual leave, flexible working, and great wellbeing perks.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable children and young people.
- Qualifications: Experience in leadership and knowledge of child development is essential.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional growth and community impact.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 48000 £ per year.
About the role…. Key Questions
- Are you an experienced leader?
- Could your leadership skills make a significant difference for the education outcomes of our children in care, care leavers or care experienced children and young people?
- Do you have knowledge of child development including attachment and trauma and the impact of adverse childhood experiences?
This is an opportunity to lead and manage our successful Virtual School working with a committed team passionate about inclusion. You will provide strategic leadership for Darlington’s Children in our Care working across all partners in education, health and social care to discharge the statutory duty to promote the educational achievement of looked after children, previously looked after children and children with a social worker.
You will give advice, guidance, support and challenge to head teachers, leaders, teachers, designated teachers, governing bodies, parents/carers, local authority staff and partners to raise standards of education and attainment for children and young people in care, those previously in care and children with a social worker.
You will scrutinise and monitor the quality of personal education plans (PEPs), including the evaluation of impact of Pupil Premium within PEP’s and the contributions of social workers, designated teachers, carers, and the voice of the child.
Benefits
The rewards for working at Darlington Borough Council go beyond the salary you will receive; we have numerous additional benefits such as:
- 32 days Annual Leave, plus Bank Holidays, with option to purchase additional Annual Leave (pro-rata for part time working)
- Flexi-time scheme
- Flexible working
- Generous Maternity, Paternity and Adoption Leave schemes
- Staff equality forums
- Green Car Leasing Scheme
- Access to a wide range of training, learning and development
- Physiotherapy service
- Confidential counselling service
- Great wellbeing offer
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Dolphin Centre Fit for Life Discounts
- Local and National retailer discounts
- Vivup employee benefit app and Lifestyle Savings
- Arriva Employee Travel Club
For the full range of benefits we offer, please see our Why work for us internet page, which also includes our Total Reward Booklet and Employee Benefit Video. For detailed information on this role, please refer to the Role Profile and Person Specification.
Provisional Interview dates for this post will be Friday 24th April in the Town Hall.
General Information for Applicants
For an informal discussion please contact Tony Murphy, Assistant Director for Education and Inclusion on Tel: 01325 405637. If you have any further questions regarding applying for this role or the questions and required fields within the application form, please contact the HR Support team on 01325 403217.
If you are experiencing problems with the NE Jobs website, such as logging in, saving pages, on account queries please fill out the form within the link below. All applicant email correspondence will come from and may be directed to your Junk folder depending on the settings of your email account. Please check both your email and Junk folder as all applicants will be notified whether they have been shortlisted.
You must ensure that anything submitted in your application is factually accurate. Plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own. Whilst we accept candidates may use AI tools within job applications; submissions must be truthful and relevant to your own experience.
We are an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applicants from all sections of the community. We aim to interview any applicant who declares a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job.
Virtual School Head employer: Darlington Borough Council
Contact Detail:
Darlington Borough Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Virtual School Head
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in education and social care. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet. Don’t be shy; we all love a good conversation!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the Virtual School and its impact on children in care. We want to see your passion for inclusion and how you can make a difference. Bring your A-game and some thoughtful questions!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Think of examples from your past where you’ve made a significant impact. We’re looking for someone who can inspire and guide others, so let that shine through in your discussions.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and our fantastic benefits there!
We think you need these skills to ace Virtual School Head
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Leadership Skills: Make sure to highlight your leadership experience in your application. We want to see how you've made a difference in previous roles, especially in education or care settings. Use specific examples to demonstrate your impact!
Know Your Stuff: Familiarise yourself with child development concepts, especially around attachment and trauma. We’re looking for someone who understands the challenges faced by children in care, so weave this knowledge into your application.
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application! Tailor your responses to reflect the key responsibilities and values mentioned in the job description. This shows us you’re genuinely interested in the role and understand what it entails.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us without any hiccups. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and our team there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Darlington Borough Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on child development theories, especially around attachment and trauma. Understanding how adverse childhood experiences impact learning will show that you're not just knowledgeable but also genuinely passionate about making a difference.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of your leadership experience, particularly in educational settings. Think about times when you've successfully led a team or implemented strategies that improved outcomes for children. Be ready to discuss how you can inspire and guide others in this role.
✨Engage with the Role's Requirements
Familiarise yourself with the specific responsibilities outlined in the job description. Be prepared to discuss how you would approach monitoring personal education plans (PEPs) and the impact of Pupil Premium. This shows that you’re proactive and understand the nuances of the role.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions to ask during the interview. This could be about the current challenges the Virtual School faces or how they measure success. Asking questions demonstrates your interest and helps you gauge if the role is the right fit for you.