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- Tasks: Lead strategic initiatives for school inclusion and support vulnerable children in education.
- Company: Join Wokingham Borough Council, a top-performing local authority in England.
- Benefits: Enjoy 31 days annual leave, health support, gym access, and lifestyle discounts.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in education while enjoying a supportive work environment.
- Qualifications: Qualified Teacher Status and strong educational leadership experience required.
- Other info: Dynamic role with excellent career growth opportunities in a vibrant community.
The predicted salary is between 83971 - 87989 £ per year.
We have an excellent opportunity for a Head of Education Belonging to join our Education and Partnerships team here at Wokingham Borough Council, on a full-time, permanent basis.
As Head of Education Belonging, you will provide strategic leadership for the Council's statutory functions relating to school inclusion, SEND support, and education outcomes for vulnerable and disadvantaged children. You'll oversee school improvement interventions, manage a £5.8M budget, and lead partnership working across all schools and education settings in Wokingham.
This role requires decisive action on underperforming schools, robust safeguarding oversight, and effective collaboration with elected members, OFSTED, and multi-agency partners. You'll plan and monitor service performance while ensuring compliance with statutory duties.
This is a fantastic opportunity for a strategic, resilient professional with qualified teacher status and vast educational leadership experience to join our team. Not only is this an excellent opportunity, but it’s a fantastic time to join our team. You will receive an extensive range of employee benefits including:
- Generous Annual Leave – 31 days annual leave (rising by 5 days after 5 years of continued local government service), plus bank holidays
- GP Helpline - Available 7 days a week
- Employee Assistance Programme - Including a 24/7 Your Care Helpline
- Free Onsite Gym - Located at Shute End Offices, Wokingham
- Salary Sacrifice Schemes - Including Car and Cycle to Work schemes
- Local & Lifestyle Discounts - Save on shopping, entertainment, dining out & more
- Move through Menopause Course
- Sports & Social Group Activities – Including running, football, cricket & more
- And more!
Key Responsibilities
- Oversee local authority arrangements to refocus on support school inclusion and belonging strategy and practice with expertise gained in successful leadership and teaching practice at schools.
- Oversee the cross-cutting work to provide school-facing SEND leadership support and SEND SEF and to deliver effective support for PRU and its remodelling/reform, schools with internal APs, SEND and resources units.
- Ensure rapid and decisive action in relation to poorly performing maintained schools & education settings in line with statutory duties. This includes using intervention powers to remove school leaders, governing bodies and financial control where required.
- Lead, model & oversee partnership working arrangements with all schools & education settings to improve outcomes for disadvantaged and vulnerable children in line with statutory duties and Wokingham Borough’s priorities.
- Facilitate, influencing and supporting Wokingham Borough Education Partnership, Family of LA Schools initiative, and school-led peer to peer support and challenge for education inclusion and belonging, securing an appropriate curriculum to meet the needs of disadvantaged groups.
Candidate Requirements
- Qualified Teacher Status
- Educational leadership in one or more of: School or MAT education leadership or School Place Planning, Admissions, School Improvement, Virtual School.
- Experience in challenging individual and service underperformance to achieve improved outcomes for children.
- Experience of leading & delivering complex projects.
- Professional & personal resilience to manage complex services facing significant service improvement and financial pressures.
Wokingham Borough Council has recently been ranked 2nd most productive council in England by the Impower Productivity Index, recognising our strong performance and efficient use of public money. Our Borough is set in the heart of Berkshire with excellent transport links to Reading and central London. Our area comprises of a vibrant and historical market town, attractive villages, and miles of beautiful countryside. We’re home to a range of high performing schools, a host of international businesses and an incredible community. The borough has a strong local economy with accelerated growth, a range of excellent public facilities and low levels of crime, offering an exceptional quality of life.
If your application is shortlisted for an interview, you will be required to provide proof of your right to work in the UK at that stage. Additionally, successful candidates must present proof upon receiving a job offer. Please note that all offers are conditional and subject to the satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks. Please be aware that we will be reviewing the applications we receive on a daily basis, and we reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified. Wokingham Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, other workers and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful candidates for this role will be subject to Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks along with other relevant employment checks.
Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we regret that we are unable to respond to every applicant individually. If you do not hear from us within 4 weeks of the application closing date, please assume that your application has not been successful on this occasion. We appreciate your interest in joining Wokingham Borough Council and thank you for taking the time to apply. Wokingham is an equal opportunities employer.
Please apply online via the link provided. Please note, we do not accept CVs submitted without a fully completed online application form.
Strategic Head of Education Belonging & Inclusion in Wokingham employer: Wokingham Borough Council
Contact Detail:
Wokingham Borough Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategic Head of Education Belonging & Inclusion in Wokingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector, especially those who might have insights into Wokingham Borough Council. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the council's recent initiatives and challenges. Show us you’re not just another candidate; demonstrate your passion for education inclusion and how you can make a real impact.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, but keep it natural. We want to see your personality shine through, so don’t be afraid to share your unique experiences and ideas on improving educational outcomes.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your interview with a thank-you email. It’s a simple gesture that shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds. Plus, it’s a great way to reiterate your key points!
We think you need these skills to ace Strategic Head of Education Belonging & Inclusion in Wokingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Strategic Head of Education Belonging & Inclusion. We want to see how your skills can directly contribute to our mission at Wokingham Borough Council.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: This role is all about strategic leadership, so don’t hold back! Share examples of how you've successfully led teams or projects in the past. We love to see resilience and decisiveness in action!
Be Clear and Concise: When filling out the application form, keep your answers clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that get straight to the heart of your qualifications and experiences.
Apply Through Our Website: Remember, the best way to apply is through our website. It’s super easy and ensures your application gets to the right place. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need to make your application shine!
How to prepare for a job interview at Wokingham Borough Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the key responsibilities of the role. Brush up on your knowledge about school inclusion, SEND support, and the specific challenges faced by vulnerable children. This will help you demonstrate your expertise and show that you’re ready to take on the strategic leadership required.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
Prepare examples from your past roles where you've successfully led educational initiatives or managed complex projects. Highlight how you’ve tackled underperformance in schools and improved outcomes for students. This will illustrate your capability to handle the responsibilities of the Head of Education Belonging.
✨Understand the Local Context
Familiarise yourself with Wokingham Borough Council’s recent achievements and challenges. Knowing that they’ve been ranked 2nd most productive council can help you align your answers with their goals and demonstrate your commitment to contributing positively to the community.
✨Prepare Questions
Think of insightful questions to ask during the interview. This could be about their current strategies for school improvement or how they envision the role evolving. Asking thoughtful questions shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you assess if it’s the right fit for you.