School and Educational Improvement Advisor

We are seeking an experienced School and Educational Improvement Advisor to support the strategic direction and educational priorities of a South London Local Authority, with a particular focus on maintained schools and strategic engagement with academies and trusts. This is a senior interim opportunity for an education professional with a strong track record of school improvement, leadership, intervention and raising outcomes for children and young people.

You will work closely with senior leaders within the Education and Learning Service, Headteachers, governing bodies and other key partners to develop and implement effective school improvement strategies.

Key responsibilities

• Support the delivery of Lambeth's education priorities and improvement outcomes.
• Develop and implement school improvement strategies, training and leadership development programmes.
• Provide advice, challenge and support to Headteachers, senior leaders and governing bodies.
• Develop and strengthen the School Improvement offer to schools and governing bodies.
• Work closely with Governor Services to develop effective governance support.
• Provide expert leadership, training and professional development to school leaders and staff.
• Oversee quality assurance of school improvement activity across schools.
• Identify, assess and monitor risk within maintained schools.
• Lead and support targeted intervention in schools causing concern.

About you

You will be an experienced senior education professional with substantial knowledge of the UK education system and a proven track record of delivering school improvement. Ideally, you will have experience in one or more of the following:

• Headship or senior school leadership
• Local authority school improvement
• Ofsted inspection
• School effectiveness / standards
• Multi-school improvement programmes
• Supporting schools causing concern
• Education leadership and intervention
• Working with governing bodies and academy trusts

Essential experience and knowledge

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) with evidence of continuing professional development.
• Significant professional knowledge of school improvement and safeguarding frameworks.
• Strong understanding of Ofsted's Education Inspection Framework (EIF), KCSIE and the SEND Code of Practice.
• Understanding of the statutory role of a local authority in monitoring and supporting maintained schools.
• Strong understanding of the challenges facing school and system leaders.
• Knowledge of school finance and deficit recovery planning.
• Experience advising leaders on sustainable solutions while maintaining educational standards.
• Experience working across multiple schools and education settings.
• Proven track record of improving outcomes for children and young people.
• Strong understanding of evidence-based approaches to improving teaching, learning, inclusion and outcomes.
• Experience working collaboratively with partners across education and/or public services.
• Understanding of the challenges facing schools and communities in a diverse, inner-city environment.

The opportunity

This is a high-impact interim position offering the opportunity to influence school improvement strategy and directly support schools across South London. The successful candidate will need to be confident operating at a senior level, able to provide constructive challenge, and capable of building strong relationships with Headteachers, senior leaders, governors, local authority colleagues and external partners.