Education Director (Ark Curriculum Plus)

Education Director (Ark Curriculum Plus)

Reports to: Managing Director, Ark Curriculum Plus

Location: Currently operating hybrid working in our West London Office

Contract: Permanent

Pattern: Full Time (standard hours 9am – 5.30pm) (would be able to structure the role to work part time for the right candidate)

Closing date: 30/08/2024 at 10am

Salary: Competitive

About the role:

We're seeking an Education Director with strong educational expertise across subjects and phases, to provide educational leadership across our portfolio of subject excellence programmes. This includes the flagship Mathematics Mastery and English Mastery programmes, consistently found to improve student outcomes in independent evaluations by the EEF and FFT. The Education Director will work with a team of Heads of Subject, setting high shared standards and quality assuring all aspects of our programmes. The role will focus on:

• Building alignment across AC+ and Ark Schools leadership for improved outcomes
• Leading educational thinking and quality assurance across subjects and phases
• Coaching team members to ensure consistent high-quality programmes
• Representing AC+ externally, driving sector-wide impact and enhancing our profile

You will report to the Managing Director of AC+, with guidance from the Ark Schools Director of Curriculum and Assessment, working in a matrix structure to ensure consistently high educational standards.

This is a rare opportunity for a senior leader to have impact across trusts and, working closely with one of the longest-standing and most influential multi-academy trusts, and having impact on hundreds of schools.

Make a difference in education—apply now to join us!

Key Responsibilities: 

• Keep abreast of sector and subject developments, legislative changes, research findings and innovative practice on a national and international level, working with the Expert Advisory Council to stay connected with the wider subject communities
• Lead Heads of Subject to develop consistent pan-programme educational approaches, bringing a nuanced understanding of evidence and differing stakeholder perspectives to ensure these approaches drive outcomes, are acceptable to schools across the AC+ partnership and have the support of Ark Schools leadership
• Provide quality assurance and “approval to proceed” at key points of new programme developments
• Review and quality assure existing programme resources, and work with Heads of Subject to develop a shared, contextual understanding of strengths and weaknesses and educational priorities to continue to improve the impact on teaching and learning
• Support the product strategy team to ensure programme development proposals are in service of the AC+ mission and drive the best educational outcomes over time, bringing an appreciation of the AC+ funding model and how this supports our wider aims
• Represent AC+ externally, providing an authoritative voice on educational thinking and sharing thought leadership across the sector to build the impact and profile of the programmes
• Influence educational policy makers and funders to ensure AC+ and Ark thinking has a wider impact across the sector
• Build and maintain positive relationships with key Ark School stakeholders to drive high levels of school engagement, ensuring proactive, effective and timely communication
• Work closely with Managing Director and the leadership team to contribute to and support implement of the strategies that will deliver the organisation’s mission, strategy and sustainability

Key Requirements:

• Educated to degree level or related degree
• Qualified to teach in the UK and qualified to degree level
• Subject specific qualification/further study desirable
• Right to work in the UK
• Experience leading educational quality across phases and subjects, such as senior Vice Principal level or an equivalent senior position within a highly regarded education establishment known for impact
• Understanding of a wide range of educational research, pedagogical approaches, and wider sector thinking, with the ability to grasp the underlying drivers behind multiple viewpoints
• Ability to relate research to classroom practice and the practical realities in schools
• Excellent stakeholder management and relationship-building skills, with a collaborative consensus-building approach
• A strong and proactive communicator with the ability to simplify complex ideas for different audiences
• Pragmatic can-do attitude, with the ability to make trade-offs and find creative solutions

Benefits

• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays, rising with each year of service up to 30 days after 3-years’ service. This entitlement is pro rata for part time employees. This entitlement excludes bank holidays
• Full office closure between Christmas and New Year
• Hybrid working, with currently two days a week in our state-of-the-art office in West London working alongside colleagues
• Regular social events, monthly free breakfast, and daily fruit
• A flexible approach to working with understanding and consideration for work life balance and personal commitments
• As an Ark employee, you will have the opportunity to be part of the TPT (The Pension Trust) scheme, our workplace pension scheme where we make an 11% contribution; you are not required to contribute towards this scheme unless you choose to
• Access to high-quality professional learning throughout your career, offering both face-to-face sessions and a bespoke online learning platform
• Access to Ark Rewards scheme offering savings from over 3,000 major retailers, interest-free loans available for season tickets or a bike, gym discounts offering up to 40% off your local gym and free eye tests

How to Apply:

Apply with a CV and cover letter on our online recruitment portal. Applications to be submitted by Friday 30th August 2024 at 10am but please note: we will be reviewing applications on an on-going basis and this advert may close earlier than advertised depending on the level of response.

This ATS application form should take no longer 20 minutes to complete. At any time, you can pause, save, and log back in. If you have any difficulty with meeting the deadline for application, please contact recruitment@arkonline.org

Interviews will be arranged as suitable candidates are identified, so early application is strongly advised.