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- Tasks: Lead strategic initiatives to enhance school inclusion and support for vulnerable children.
- Company: Join Wokingham Borough Council, a top-rated local authority in England.
- Benefits: Enjoy 31 days annual leave, a local government pension, and free gym access.
- 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 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
This job is an excellent opportunity 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.
Staff Benefits
- Generous Annual Leave - 31 days annual leave (rising by 5 days after 5 years of continued local government service), plus bank holidays
- Local Government Pension Scheme
- GP Helpline - Available 7 days a week
- Employee Assistance Programme - Including a 24/7 Your Care Helpline
- Free Eye Tests and Flu Vaccines
- 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
- Learning & Development Opportunities
- Employee Networks
- 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.
- Strong budget management experience
- 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.
Click the link below and Apply Today! Alternatively, to arrange an informal discussion about the role, contact Ming Zhang, Service Director Education and SEND via email ming.zhang@wokingham.gov.uk (Strictly no agencies).
Closing date: Sunday 19th April 2026 at 11pm
Interview date: TBC
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.
How to apply
Please apply online via the link provided. Please note, we do not accept CVs submitted without a fully completed online application form.
Head of Education Belonging in Wokingham employer: Wokingham Jobs
Contact Detail:
Wokingham Jobs Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Education Belonging in Wokingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector, especially those who might know someone at Wokingham Borough Council. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to insider info or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the council's recent initiatives and challenges. Show us that you’re not just interested in the role but also passionate about making a difference in the community.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, especially around leadership and inclusion strategies. We want to see how you handle tough situations and your vision for improving education outcomes.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team at Wokingham Borough Council.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Education Belonging 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 Head of Education Belonging. We want to see how your skills can directly contribute to our mission at Wokingham Borough Council.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a strategic leader, it’s crucial to demonstrate your past successes in educational leadership. Share specific examples of how you've improved outcomes for vulnerable and disadvantaged children in your previous roles.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that get straight to the heart of your qualifications and experiences without unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application is received and considered. Plus, it helps us keep everything organised on our end.
How to prepare for a job interview at Wokingham Jobs
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the key responsibilities of the Head of Education Belonging role. Brush up on school inclusion strategies, SEND support, and how to improve educational outcomes for vulnerable children. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you’re serious about the position.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples from your past experiences where you’ve successfully led teams or projects, especially in challenging situations. Highlight your ability to manage budgets and make decisive actions when necessary. This will demonstrate your readiness to take on the strategic leadership required for this role.
✨Understand the Local Context
Familiarise yourself with Wokingham Borough Council’s recent achievements and challenges. Knowing about their ranking as the 2nd most productive council in England can help you align your answers with their goals and show that you’re genuinely interested in contributing to the community.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare insightful questions to ask during the interview. Inquire about the council's current initiatives for school improvement or how they measure success in educational outcomes. This not only shows your interest but also gives you a chance to assess if the role aligns with your values and career goals.