School Improvement Lead

Salary: £73,757 - £78,488 per annum

Hours per week: 37 hours

Temporary/Fixed term: 6 months

Interview date: 25 June 2026

We are seeking an experienced and driven professional to play a pivotal role in improving outcomes for children and young people across Wiltshire. This high-profile position sits at the heart of our commitment to ensuring the effectiveness of primary, secondary, and special schools by strengthening leadership, management, and teaching to raise standards and deliver excellence for all learners.

You will be leading a team focused on the School Improvement Framework, working collaboratively across the Education and Skills directorate, the Wiltshire Learning Alliance, and wider services, including children’s social care. Through strong partnerships with senior leaders and schools, you will challenge underperformance, support vulnerable settings, and drive meaningful, sustainable improvement while narrowing attainment gaps and promoting equity.

Working closely with the Head of School Effectiveness, you will help shape and future-proof a dynamic model of school improvement, including innovative approaches such as families of schools and strengthened risk identification systems. Using robust data, evidence-based practice, and targeted interventions, you will champion collaboration and ensure every child in Wiltshire has access to high-quality education and the opportunity to thrive.

If you are passionate about making a lasting difference to the lives of children and young people, and have the vision and expertise to drive system-wide improvement, join us to shape the future of education in Wiltshire, ensuring every learner has the opportunity to succeed.

Why us?

Wiltshire Council is a friendly, welcoming place to work, with a 'One Council' ethos. Our hybrid working model means office staff are on site for at least half their hours, community-based staff carry out at least half their admin time in a workplace, and customer-facing roles work entirely from their service location. We are committed to creating a workplace where positive relationships thrive and everyone feels engaged, supported and able to do their best. We do not tolerate discrimination, bullying or harassment. Everyone is expected to promote a culture of inclusion, dignity, trust and respect, guided by our vision and Our Identity.

Contact details: Louise Lewis, Head of School Effectiveness, at Louise.Lewis@wiltshire.gov.uk. Please ensure to regularly check your spam or junk folder for any communication from us regarding the status of your application.

Application criteria: Please download and read the role description and person specification before you apply. We understand that AI tools can support you in preparing job applications. However, we value authenticity and would encourage you to ensure your submission genuinely reflects your own experiences, skills, and motivations.

We are firmly committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and to the principles of inclusion and diversity in both employment and the delivery of services.

Statement of commitment to equality and inclusion: Disability Confident Employer.

Application process: Wiltshire Council does not accept unsolicited CVs or candidate details from recruitment agencies that are not appointed under a current, valid contract or approved supplier arrangement (including through our neutral vendor, Comensura). Submission of unsolicited CVs or candidate details to the Council, whether directly or to individual employees, will not be considered as an introduction and will not create any obligation on the Council to pay any fees. If a candidate whose details have been submitted speculatively is subsequently appointed through a compliant route, no agency fee will be payable in respect of the unsolicited submission. Agencies wishing to work with the Council must do so only via our approved procurement processes and neutral vendor arrangements.