Before applying for this role please ensure that you read the full advert text and do not submit a CV as your application. If you are required to submit additional information to support your application, please upload this under supporting documents.
INTERNAL APPLICANTS MUST APPLY VIA OPPORTUNITY MARKETPLACE AND COMPLETE THEIR SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS EITHER VIA THE ME TAB ON FUSION PRIOR TO STARTING THE APPLICATION FORM OR BY CLICKING ON THE LINK AS PART OF THE APPLICATION PROCESS IN THE SECTION OF THE FORM TITLED “REVIEW SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS".
Permanent: 35 hours per week
Working Pattern: Monday - Thursday 8.45am - 4.45pm, and Friday 8.45am - 4.15pm
Salary: £, – £,
View the Head of Education profile.
View the Head of Education recruitment pack
South Lanarkshire Council is an ambitious, top performing organisation with a clear vision, shared by both members and officers, to work together to improve the quality of life for everyone in South Lanarkshire.
We are looking for a high-performing, dynamic, ambitious and people-centred individual to lead our work. This is demanding but rewarding role with plenty of scope to make an impact and advance your achievements. In return we can promise you excellent terms and conditions as well as a positive culture built on teamwork and ambition.
You will be a key member of the Education Management Team providing operational and strategic direction.
As a Head of Education, you will have responsibility for leading, directing and manage the strategic and operational development of aspects of education strategy within South Lanarkshire Council through:
1. Undertaking a strategic lead in raising educational attainment for all and closing the equity gap by ensuring that the aspirations of the National Improvement Framework are fully realised.
2. Developing, implementing and evaluating policies and procedures that contribute to securing improvement across all establishments.
3. Leading and continue to improve the SLC Leadership Development Programme.
4. Developing our approach to excellence and equity including the strategy around SEF and PEF monies and the National drive to “close the poverty-related attainment gap”.
5. Develop and implement policies and procedures that contribute to securing inclusion for children and young people across South Lanarkshire.
In addition, the role will involve:
6. Providing high-quality line management, pastoral and operational support to a number of Head Teachers and schools across several Learning Communities.
7. Recruitment of senior staff including Head Teachers
8. Contributing to the wider management of the service through close working with the Executive Director, Heads of Service and a wide range of partner organisations in order to ensure a coordinated approach to the delivery of a range of policies, initiatives and resource requirements.
9. Working with a range of partners to ensure that appropriate support packages are developed and implemented for vulnerable children and families.
10. Responding effectively to enquiries and complaints by coordinating responses from a range of officers to issues that may arise.
11. Providing accountability by providing regular and detailed updates on developments including preparing and presenting reports to Committee.
12. Contributing to the wider management of the service through close working with the Executive Director, Heads of Service and a wide range of partner organisations in order to ensure a co-ordinated approach to the delivery of a range of policies, initiatives and resource requirements.
In addition, you will be required to drive through substantial efficiencies, demonstrating value for money and continually reviewing business activities. You must be able to analyse and understand performance information and translate this into the effective deployment of resources in order to achieve the highest levels of service delivery and customer satisfaction.
Suitable candidates for this challenging role will demonstrate experience and understanding of the key challenges facing education as well as being an expert in their field. You will have a track record of success in leading within an educational setting, a strategic approach and a strong commitment to continuous improvement. The successful candidate will have proven ability in securing improvements for children and young people. Experience in inspiring staff to deliver services of the highest quality, excellent communication skills and the ability to build and develop effective relationships with various stakeholders including elected members.
Given the challenges ahead we will require a high performing individual who will be flexible and adaptable and will be able to create and maintain strategic partnerships and engage fully with employees and service users.
When completing the application process please ensure you provide a separate supporting document covering the following areas:
13. Please describe the main achievements of your career to date and how your experience and knowledge will equip you to lead and deliver a vision for excellence and equity for Education within South Lanarkshire Council.
14. Please provide an example of a project or initiative you have led that has resulted in improved outcomes for children, in particular those who may be disadvantaged by poverty or other barriers to learning.
15. The current educational landscape presents both challenges and opportunities. How would you exploit these opportunities whilst ensuring challenges are tackled head on? How would you lead your team to ensure motivation is maintained when obstacles appear?
Recruitment Checks
Please apply online - All correspondence will be via your email address.
As part of our approach to good practice and safer recruitment we carry out a number of pre-employment checks for example, Identity, Asylum and Immigration and employment history.
Legislative Information
This post is excepted in terms of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions) Order .
This post has been politically restricted in terms of the Local Government and Housing Act .
Foreign Police Check - Candidates should be able to detail any gaps in employment and provide a foreign police check where applicable if you have lived or worked for 3 months or more (consecutively) abroad in the last 10 years.
Equal Opportunities and Armed Forces Community Covenant
South Lanarkshire Council is an Equal Opportunities employer and encourages applications from all members of the community. As a user of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum essential requirements for the position.
South Lanarkshire Council is committed to providing support to members of the armed forces, veterans and their families which is set out in the British Armed Forces Community Covenant. Veterans are guaranteed an interview who meet the minimum essential requirements for the position.
As an employee of South Lanarkshire Council, you would also receive a wide range of benefits including:
16. Enrolment in award winning local government pension scheme
17. To increase the value of their pension pot, Local Government Employees can opt to join the Salary Sacrifice Shared Cost AVC scheme.
18. Up to 33 days annual leave
19. Public holiday entitlement (up to 10 days)
20. Occupational sick pay
21. Family friendly policies - flexible working and leave, maternity/paternity leave enhanced leave.
22. Employee Discounts – including discounts at the cinema.
23. Range of benefits to support you (Cycle to Work Scheme, Physiotherapy, Employee Assistance Program which offers practical and emotional support)
For an informal enquiry about the role please contact Lyndsay McRoberts, Executive Director on .