Overview
Stoke‑on‑Trent City Council – Director – Level 15 – Salary £54,495 – £57,870 – Hours 37 – Full Time – Location Civic Centre.
Lead the Virtual School with no walls but limitless ambition. Education is the key to stability, opportunity, and a brighter future for care‑experienced children and those with a social worker. The Virtual School is not a building but a promise that no child will be left without an advocate for their learning, no matter their circumstances.
Key Responsibilities
* Create effective educational strategies in partnership with schools, social workers, and carers.
* Monitor progress and attendance, ensuring Personal Education Plans (PEPs) are meaningful and impactful.
* Promote the education of previously looked after children, including those adopted or living under special guardianship or child arrangement orders.
* Challenge low expectations, celebrate achievement, and hold schools and partners accountable for children’s progress.
* Introduce creative, bespoke support and new learning pathways for children who need them.
* Advocate for equal educational richness for all children, inspiring teachers and provision.
* Collaborate with the Head of Services for Access & Support for Vulnerable Learners on policies and practices to prioritise care‑experienced youth.
* Manage funding and provide oversight of education across local authorities.
Qualifications
* Experience in a Virtual School or senior leadership in schools.
* Experience in inclusion‑focused education work.
* Strong belief that education changes lives and capacity to drive improvement.
* Leadership skills to inspire teams and partners, and resilience to maintain ambitions when challenges arise.
* Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
Benefits
* Mandate, support and professional development to lead with ambition, innovation and integrity.
* Opportunity to shape outcomes for care‑experienced young people and those with a social worker.
* Corporate parenting culture that prioritises the education of our children.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
At Stoke‑on‑Trent City Council we believe our strength comes from the diversity of our community and we want our workforce to reflect that. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences, and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone can feel included and succeed together.
This position is exempt under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the successful applicant will be subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). If an employee currently at risk of redundancy applies, priority will be given.
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