At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and shape educational experiences for vulnerable children in Haringey.
- Company: Join Haringey Council, a vibrant community-focused organisation.
- Benefits: Enjoy up to 31 days leave, hybrid working, and a generous pension scheme.
- Other info: Collaborative team environment with a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the lives of children and drive meaningful change.
- Qualifications: Qualified Teacher Status and significant leadership experience in education.
The predicted salary is between 58691 - 63232 € per year.
Contract Terms
- Grade: Soulbury (points 12-15)
- Salary: £58,691 – £63,232 + £3,803 London Weighting
- Contract Type: Fixed-Term Contract (12 Months)
- Hours: Full-time, 36 hours
- Closing Date: Sunday 21st June 2026
- Interview Date: Week commencing 29th June 2026
About Haringey
Haringey is a fantastic place to live and work – the world in one borough. A place brimming with creativity, personality, radicalism, and community. It is a place where we stand up for each other. A place that is proudly distinctive. We’ll be celebrating all this and more as the “rebel borough” when we are the 2027 London Borough of Culture.
Our history champions change‑makers and everyday rebels; revelling in our differences, battling discrimination, championing equality, and doing things our own way. Haringey’s people are a huge asset, with knowledge, expertise, and passion. Our staff members embody our organisational values: Caring, Creative, Courageous, Collaborative and Community‑focused. These values keep us looking forward, ambitious for the future, and continuously striving to do our very best for all of our residents.
About the Role
This is a unique and influential leadership opportunity to shape the educational experiences and outcomes of some of Haringey’s most vulnerable children. As Assistant Head of Haringey Virtual School, you will lead the delivery of the local authority’s duties for children with a social worker, children in kinship care and previously in care. This is a high‑impact, 12‑month fixed‑term role where you will provide strategic oversight and system leadership to improve inclusion, attendance, attainment, inclusion, and engagement across the borough working directly with schools and different partners.
You will work at the crossing point of education and children’s services – ensuring that vulnerable children are visible, prioritised and effectively supported within education systems. This includes at system‑level identifying and reducing barriers to learning, supporting and challenging schools to deliver high‑quality inclusive practice, and embedding trauma‑informed, relational approaches.
A key part of the role will involve contributing education expertise into child protection processes, supporting schools and driving forward strategic priorities to strengthen the local offer for vulnerable learners. This is a rare opportunity to influence system‑wide practice and deliver meaningful, lasting change for children and young people.
About the Team
Haringey Virtual School is a statutory service within Children’s Services, dedicated to championing the education of children who have or have had a social worker. The team works across early years to post 16, ensuring vulnerable learners receive inclusive, high quality and aspirational educational support.
Led by the Head of Virtual School, with strong operational leadership from the Assistant Head, the team brings together Education Improvement Consultants and an Inclusion and Attendance manager who work collaboratively with schools, social care and partners to address barriers such as attendance, exclusions and SEND needs. This is a highly collaborative, multi‑agency team that values innovation, strong relationships and the voices of children, with a shared commitment to improving life chances and raising aspirations for our vulnerable children.
About You
You are an experienced and credible senior leader with a strong track record of improving outcomes for vulnerable children. Passionate about inclusion and belonging, you bring both strategic vision and hands‑on expertise to working across education and children’s services. You thrive in complex, multi‑agency environments and use your influence to drive meaningful change – ensuring children with a social worker are visible, supported and able to succeed.
Key Skills and Experience
- Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and a strong academic background, with evidence of relevant ongoing professional development
- Significant senior leadership experience within an educational setting, with the ability to lead strategically and operationally
- Strong experience supporting children with a social worker, including Children in Need, Child Protection and Looked After Children
- Proven ability to improve school practice and raise outcomes for vulnerable pupils through effective support and challenge
- Extensive experience of multi‑agency working across education, social care and partner services
- In‑depth knowledge of statutory guidance, education legislation, and children’s social care frameworks
- Strong understanding of SEND, SEMH needs, EHCP processes and inclusive, trauma‑informed practice
- Excellent data analysis skills, with the ability to use insight on attendance, attainment, exclusions and trends to drive improvement
- Demonstrable ability to influence and build credibility with headteachers, designated teachers, senior leaders and partners
- Strong organisational, communication and leadership skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and lead others effectively
Working for Haringey
At Haringey Council we are committed to creating a workplace culture where all our people feel valued, included, and able to be their best at work, and we recognise the benefits of a diverse workforce so welcome applications from all ethnicities and communities so that we continue to make a difference to our residents and community.
Our benefits package includes a leave entitlement up to 31 days + bank holidays, potential hybrid working opportunities, health and wellbeing support, a generous local government pension scheme and a range of discount schemes across leisure and culture that provide both financial and money‑saving discounts.
Assistant Head of Virtual School employer: Haringey Jobs London
Haringey Council is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment where every employee can thrive. With a strong commitment to community values and a focus on improving the lives of vulnerable children, staff enjoy generous benefits including up to 31 days of leave, health and wellbeing support, and opportunities for professional growth within a collaborative, multi-agency team. Working in Haringey means being part of a vibrant borough that celebrates diversity and creativity, making it a truly rewarding place to contribute to meaningful change.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Head of Virtual School
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in education and children's services. Attend local events or webinars related to the role, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on opportunities!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching Haringey's values and recent initiatives. Show us you’re not just a fit for the role but also for the community. Tailor your examples to highlight how your experience aligns with their mission of supporting vulnerable children.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get a friend or mentor to do mock interviews with you. Focus on articulating your strategic vision and hands-on expertise in improving outcomes for vulnerable children. The more comfortable you are, the better you'll shine!
✨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 you’re serious about joining the team and making a difference in Haringey’s educational landscape.
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Head of Virtual School
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific skills and experiences that align with the Assistant Head of Virtual School role. Highlight your passion for inclusion and your experience in improving outcomes for vulnerable children.
Showcase Your Leadership Experience:We want to see your senior leadership experience shine through! Share examples of how you've led teams or initiatives that have positively impacted educational practices, especially for children with a social worker.
Be Data-Driven:Demonstrate your ability to analyse data effectively. Include examples of how you've used data insights to drive improvements in attendance, attainment, or engagement for vulnerable pupils. This will show us you can make informed decisions.
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 to make a difference in Haringey.
How to prepare for a job interview at Haringey Jobs London
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the specifics of the role and the needs of vulnerable children. Brush up on relevant legislation, educational frameworks, and the challenges faced by children with social workers. This will show your passion and expertise.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership experience, especially in multi-agency settings. Think about times when you've successfully driven change or improved outcomes for vulnerable pupils. Be ready to discuss how you can bring that experience to Haringey.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
Since this role involves working closely with schools and social care, be prepared to talk about your collaborative approach. Share specific instances where you’ve built strong relationships with partners to achieve common goals, and how you plan to do the same in this position.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific situations involving vulnerable children. Think through potential scenarios related to inclusion, attendance, and engagement, and prepare your responses to demonstrate your strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
