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- Tasks: Lead and innovate in supporting schools and governors to enhance education in Southwark.
- Company: Join a passionate local authority committed to tackling inequalities and improving community outcomes.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, JNC benefits, and a permanent contract with a focus on professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in education while building strong partnerships across diverse school communities.
- Qualifications: Experience in school leadership support, governance, and driving service improvements.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for collaboration and significant impact on children's futures.
The predicted salary is between 59500 - 72500 £ per year.
Location: London
Schedule: Full-time
Salary Range: £69,537 - £86,766
Contract Type: Permanent
Lead with Purpose. Drive Change. Make a Difference. Are you ready to lead, innovate and make a positive impact on education in Southwark? If yes, we have an exciting opportunity for you! We are seeking an ambitious and experienced leader to take on a key role supporting schools, governors and academy leaders.
About the Role: As our Head of School Support and Admission, you will lead the delivery of high-quality support, guidance and advice to school leaders and governors across all phases of education, helping to shape a strong and collaborative school community. You will coordinate a wide range of council functions, proactively develop support services, manage risk and drive opportunities for traded services, ensuring schools receive the guidance they need to thrive.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading school support initiatives and providing strategic guidance to maintained schools and governors.
- Offering professional advice to academy leaders, where agreed.
- Building strong relationships with educational leaders across all phases.
- Providing leadership across busy service areas, encouraging collaboration and sharing best practice.
- Deputising for the Deputy Director of Children’s Services for Learning and Inclusion when required.
If you are passionate about education, skilled at building partnerships and thrive in a dynamic environment, we want to hear from you.
About You: You will be a collaborative, resilient and innovative leader, passionate about supporting schools and improving outcomes for children and young people. You will have a strong understanding of statutory requirements, school admissions and governance and will provide clear guidance on complex or sensitive issues.
You will bring proven experience in:
- Effectively supporting school leaders and governors.
- Navigating statutory requirements, school admissions and governance.
- Providing clear guidance on complex or sensitive issues.
- Driving service improvement and promoting inclusion and diversity.
- Delivering positive outcomes for children and young people.
To Be Considered for Interview: Your cover letter (maximum two sides of A4) must clearly outline how you meet the job description and person specification in order to be considered.
Contact Information: For an informal discussion about the role, contact Anna Chiva, Deputy Director Children’s Services (Learning and Inclusion) via email at Anna.Chiva@southwark.gov.uk
Additional Information Salary: £69,537 - £86,766 per annum plus £3,503 JNC benefits (pro-rata). Working Hours: 36 per week, Monday – Friday. Contract: Permanent. Location: 160 Tooley St, London SE1 2QH. DBS: Enhanced level required.
Benefits and more information: https://jobs.southwark.gov.uk/why-us/
Recruitment Timeline: Advert close date: 11:59pm on Sunday 4 January 2026. Shortlisting date/s: week commencing 5 January 2026. Interview date/s: week commencing 19 January 2026. The closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. We strongly advise you to complete your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
We are an organisation who is passionate about our people and understands that richness of diversity is a requirement to provide the best possible services to our communities. This is demonstrated through our council-wide ambitious commitment to tackle racial inequality in our communities and workforce through our Southwark Stands Together initiative. We particularly welcome applications from members of the black, Asian and ethnic minority communities to increase representation at senior management level in the Council.
Guaranteed Interview Scheme: As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the below criteria:
- Members of the Armed Forces and veterans.
- Are currently in care or have previously been in care.
- If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition.
About Southwark: We are the largest local authority social landlord in London, managing 55,000 homes lived in by 40% of Southwark’s residents. We are home to over 18,300 businesses including iconic London venues and social enterprises, and we have a young, diverse and growing population. At Southwark we are committed to making our borough just and fair and are taking positive action to tackle inequalities. Our residents and communities are our greatest asset and the passion we have for Southwark is shared by millions of Londoners who enjoy our outstanding cultural offer, use our hospitals and attend our universities. Our refreshed borough plan and focus on Southwark Stands Together, which is our work with Southwark’s communities and the council’s staff to tackle racism, injustice and inequality, underpins all that we do.
Head of School Support and Admission Services in London employer: SOUTHWARK COUNCIL-1
Contact Detail:
SOUTHWARK COUNCIL-1 Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of School Support and Admission Services in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. Building relationships can open doors that you didn’t even know existed.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the organisation and its values, especially around school support and admissions. Think about how your experience aligns with their mission and be ready to share specific examples of your leadership skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for education! During interviews or networking, talk about your commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people. Let them see your enthusiasm for making a difference in the community.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about the role and want to be part of our mission to support schools and drive positive change.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of School Support and Admission Services in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Cover Letter: Make sure your cover letter speaks directly to the job description. Highlight your experience in supporting school leaders and governors, and how you can drive change in education. We want to see your passion for making a difference!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a Head of School Support and Admission Services, your leadership skills are crucial. Use specific examples from your past roles to demonstrate how you've successfully led initiatives and built strong relationships with educational leaders.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Remember, your cover letter should be a maximum of two sides of A4. We appreciate well-structured applications that get straight to the heart of your qualifications and experiences.
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 is received and considered. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to make a positive impact in Southwark!
How to prepare for a job interview at SOUTHWARK COUNCIL-1
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you thoroughly understand the role of Head of School Support and Admission Services. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities, especially around supporting school leaders and navigating statutory requirements. This will help you answer questions confidently and demonstrate your expertise.
✨Show Your Passion
During the interview, express your passion for education and improving outcomes for children and young people. Share specific examples from your past experiences where you've made a positive impact, as this will resonate well with the interviewers looking for someone who can drive change.
✨Build Connections
Highlight your ability to build strong relationships with educational leaders. Prepare to discuss how you've collaborated with others in previous roles, as this is crucial for the position. Think of examples that showcase your teamwork and leadership skills.
✨Prepare Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, you'll likely have the chance to ask questions. Prepare thoughtful ones that show your interest in the role and the organisation. For instance, inquire about their current initiatives to promote inclusion and diversity, which aligns with the council's values.