School Effectiveness Officer

We would consider part-time applications/job share

About us

Brighter Futures for Children is an independent, not-for-profit-company, wholly owned by Reading Borough Council. Our responsibility is to deliver quality children's services, early help, education and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) services to children and families in Reading.

We work closely with partners in the local community and key organisations including Reading Borough Council, policy, public health and voluntary groups. We are responsible for the delivery of children’s social care, early help & prevention, education services (including SEND). This also includes fostering and adoption, the Youth Offending Service and traded services with schools.

Our main aim is to protect and enhance the lives of the children of Reading. We help families find long-term solutions to ensure children lead happy, healthy and successful lives.

About the role

To evaluate and advise on school effectiveness and work in partnership with head teachers, school governors, academy sponsors and other stakeholders to support the drive for high educational standards for all children and young people in Reading, particularly those vulnerable to educational under-achievement.

Key responsibilities:

• To work in partnership with head teachers, school governors, academy sponsors and other stakeholders to support the drive for high educational standards for all children and young people, particularly for children vulnerable to educational under achievement.
• To evaluate school effectiveness and provide assurance to Service Managers, School Governors and Headteachers.
• To implement, in conjunction with the service managers, interventions in maintained schools, using the LA’s statutory powers under the School Standards and Framework Act, 1998 and the Education and Inspections Act, 2016.
• To contribute to professional reports to a wide variety of external and internal audiences and contribute to BFFC bids for financial resources relating to school standards.
• To lead on strategic projects as directed by Service Managers
• Provide visible and effective educational leadership to schools.
• Advise the service managers on the development, implementation, and continual review of school curriculums, policies, and strategies for raising standards, achievement, and expectations.
• Ensure that the needs and priorities of children and young people are at the centre of school effectiveness service strategic planning and service delivery.

About you

Previous management experience and knowledge of the Education Framework for schools is required. This is a highly rewarding role where you’ll have the opportunity and autonomy to really make a difference.

Experience/skills required:

• Recent experience of headship.
• Knowledge of the Education Inspection Framework for Schools.
• Up to date knowledge and understanding of recent educational research.
• Successful track record of achievement as a manager in a large, complex, multi-disciplinary organisation.
• A proven track record in the initiation and management of effective change.
• A thorough understanding of the use of strategies and data to improve pupil achievement and progress, and to improve achievement for under performing groups.
• An in-depth knowledge of schools, teaching, learning, curriculum, leadership, management, and governance.
• Proven experience of providing excellent leadership to schools, building, and maintaining strong, productive relationships.
• Up to date knowledge and understanding of relevant national and regional policies.
• Understanding of and commitment to valuing diversity, including knowledge of how to reduce inequalities in educational achievement.
• Successful record of leading and managing staff, within a performance management framework to achieve outcomes.

For more information about the role, please read the job description and person specification.

Our offer

We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition are strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.

A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:

• Local Government Pension Scheme with generous employer contribution.
• Incremental holidays starting with 26 days plus public holidays (rising to 33 after 10 years’ service).
• Discounted Childcare (on site nursery).
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Season train ticket loans.
• Salary Sacrifice Car Lease Scheme.
• A range of local shopping discounts.

For more information and a confidential discussion please contact Mo Galway on Mo.Galway@brighterfuturesforchildren.org or Alice Boon on Alice.Boon@brighterfuturesforchildren.org

Inclusion and Diversity

We want Brighter Futures for Children to be a great place to work and to ensure that our children, young people and families are represented in leadership roles and positions of power. A vital part of this is ensuring we are a truly inclusive organisation that encourages diversity in all respects, including diversity of thinking.

We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and those of Other Ethnicities, LGBT+, disabled and neurodiverse communities to make a real difference to our children, young people and families so that equalities and justice remains at the heart of everything we do.

Asking for Adjustments

Brighter Futures for Children is committed to making our recruitment practices barrier-free and as accessible as possible for everyone. This includes making adjustments or changes for disabled people, neurodiverse people or people with long-term health conditions.

If you would like us to do anything differently during the application, interview or assessment process, including providing information in an alternative format, please let us know.

Closing date: Noon, Monday 6 January 2025

Interview date: Tuesday 14 January 2025

We look forward to hearing from you!