Virtual School Headteacher

Following the retirement of our current headteacher of our Virtual School, we are seeking to recruit a successor to lead our Virtual School. Our Virtual School is a team of passionate professionals who want all children to have great education experiences. Whether they are currently in care or have left care, or have social work involvement, the team have high aspirations for our children. We are proud of our Virtual School and the reputation it has both regionally and nationally. Our most recent Ofsted inspection recognised the team as a virtual school that ‘ensures that children’s emotional needs are addressed well. Professionals work together effectively to help children make good progress from their start points.’ If you are passionate about securing brilliant outcomes for our children, understanding the trauma and difficulties many of our young people face on a daily basis and want to make a real difference to the lives of some of our most vulnerable learners then this exciting opportunity to join us at Staffordshire County Council as our Headteacher of the Virtual School.

Main Responsibilities

Supported by our wider education team you will build on the successes of our Virtual School, continuing to promote relational and restorative approaches underpinned by a knowledge of attachment and trauma. You'll continue to deliver our aspiration for all of our Staffordshire Schools to become relational and restorative in their approaches and to adopt Raising Attainment of Disadvantaged Youngsters (RADY) approaches for our children, to raising the standards of educational attainment, achievement and attendance of all children with a social worker.

The Ideal Candidate

• Significant experience of working within an attachment and trauma informed culture and able to demonstrate how this has improved the experiences and outcomes for children and young people.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and organisational skills.
• Experience of working with both education and social care professionals.
• Above all, you'll be a leader who recognises their contribution to the wider education and children’s services responsibilities and is excited by the prospect of delivering meaningful change locally in response to broader changes that are taking place at a national level following the publication of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools bill.

The Selection Process will be held during the week commencing 19 May. For an informal chat about the role please contact Tim Moss, Assistant Director for Education Strategy and Improvement.

Our Recruitment Process We anonymise applications during shortlisting to ensure only relevant information is considered. Please complete your application fully, especially the supporting statement, to highlight what you’ll bring to the role.

About Staffordshire County Council We are no ordinary county council: Our Values: The core of who we are as an organisation. Just like we all have personal values that shape our thoughts and behaviour, organisational values drive how we think and act collectively. Our values were created and shaped by colleague feedback and national best practice and they sit at the heart of People Strategy: We have a real sense of community spirit that brings our people together. This feeling of belonging means we are all connected to what we do and take pride in the difference we make every day for Staffordshire people. We are ambitious and our sights are set firmly on a better future. We look forward and race ahead - that goes for your career too.

Our benefits We recognise that it is our employees that are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive working environment where employees can achieve their full potential and achieve a healthy work-life balance. In addition to your salary, as a member of staff, you will have access to Our rewards and benefits - Careers at Staffordshire.

Our recruitment process As an Authority we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Staffordshire County Council is an equal opportunities organisation and Disability Confident employer. We encourage applications from all backgrounds and communities. As part of our commitment as a Disability Confident employer, a Gold Award Armed Forces employer and our commitment to supporting care leavers - we offer a guaranteed interview as long as your application meets the minimum criteria for the post.