Virtual School Headteacher

Directorate: Children & Families

Team: Virtual School for Looked After Children

Location: District Wide - As required                                    

Grade: Soulbury D

Salary: £62,626 - £68,434. Teacher Pay & Conditions

Hours: 37

Contract: Permanent

Are you passionate about securing brilliant outcomes for our Children and Young People?

Do you want to make a real difference to the lives of some of our most vulnerable learners?

Do you understand the trauma and difficulties many of our young people face on a daily basis?

Can you be a driver for change across a wide range of partners and services?

Do you like a challenge?

If so then this exciting opportunity to join us at Kirklees Council as the Virtual School Headteacher is for you.

Parents want their children to have the best start in life and to reach their full potential, and as corporate parents we have equally high aspirations for our children and young people in care.

As a strategic leader you will be part of the Learning and Early Support Senior Team in our Children’s Services Directorate and will champion the best possible opportunities for the education of children and young people in care, those who have been previously looked after, and those with a social worker.

As a restorative council we work collaboratively with each other and our partners to positively engage with our families to collectively ensure that children and young people are able to make accelerated progress.

We are proud of our strengths. Our most recent Ofsted inspection recognised the team as an ‘effective virtual school [that] has high aspirations for the progress and well-being of children in its care.’

As the Virtual School Headteacher you will build on the successes of the team and be supported by the Executive Virtual School Headteacher in developing the new duties which extends the team’s remit to support children with a social worker.

For this role you will need:

• Experience of working with Children in Care, Care Leavers and children who have been previously Looked After
• Substantial current or previous senior level experience in improving outcomes for children and young people in an education or local authority setting
• Knowledge and understanding of educational issues for children and young people in care and care leavers
• Experience of successful partnership working
• Qualified Teacher and NPQH (or have sufficient experience of senior school leadership to demonstrate competency across the spectrum of headship skills)
• Knowledge and understanding of relevant legislation and guidance regarding Education and children and young people in care
• Experience of working closely with and leading multi-agency teams
• Experience with large-scale organisational change

Travel is an essential part of this job and therefore it would be extremely difficult for you to do your job effectively if you did not use a car for all or most of the time. It is essential that you hold a full and valid driving licence, and it is expected that you will either use a council vehicle or your own car (exceptions can be made for disabled applicants).

For this role you will need to work flexible hours, including occasional evenings and weekends.

For a full list of the role requirements please see the attached Job Profile.

We can offer you:

• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Friendly and supportive team environment
• Ongoing training and career development
• Excellent pension scheme
• A range of family friendly policies, including the opportunity to work flexibly
• We offer a wide range of well-being initiatives including a cycle to work scheme and discounted KAL membership

If you have any questions about the role please contact Jo-Anne Sanders (Service Director - Learning and Early Support) on 01484 221000 or by email at jo-anne.sanders@kirklees.gov.uk

To apply please visit the Kirklees Council Website.

Closing date: Wednesday 8th June 2022 at 5pm.

Interview date: It is anticipated that the selection process will take place between 14-16th June 2022.

This job is subject to a DBS check at the appropriate level, please refer to the Job Description/Profile. A conviction may not exclude candidates from appointment but will be considered as part of the recruitment process.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults and children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.