Location: Trenchard Lines, Upavon, UK, SN9 6BE
Grade: Training and Education
Salary: £70,506
Contract: Permanent
Working Pattern: Full-time
Closing Date: Friday 19th September 2025
The Ministry of Defence employs over 50,000 Civil Servants. Within that, the Army Top Level Budget (TLB) employs over 12,000 MOD Civil Servants located at over 300 locations. Ours is a diverse workforce, with roles ranging from trainers, human resources, teachers, and psychologists to storekeepers, financiers, project and programme managers, and policy secretariat staff. There are many different functions and professions delivering key outputs for the Army.
Defence Children Services (DCS) is a Defence delivery organisation, subordinated under Army Regional Command. Our Vision is that we Educate the Child – Support the Family – Defend the Nation. HQ DCS is UK based at Trenchard Lines, Upavon and has forward deployed staff all over the world. DCS is responsible for the education and care of children of accompanied Service and Defence entitled personnel in MOD schools and settings; provides advice and guidance in respect of education for service families in the United Kingdom and the wider world.
We are at an exciting time for our department as we refocus on our core values, aims, education and care strategy to ensure that we offer the best education and care possible to children who are stationed overseas – ensuring that they are not disadvantaged from being so far from the UK and mainstream education. As we move towards 2030, we are refocusing our efforts and strategically scrutinising our outputs to ensure that every child, regardless of prior education or starting point, receives the very best from our educators regardless of location.
This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.
We are passionate about Smarter Working and believe that a combination of flexible working practices, digital technology and modern workspaces will give you the opportunity to enjoy a healthy work-life balance, while ensuring you deliver your outcomes effectively and efficiently – we expect you to know where to be to have the most impact, balancing your individual needs with that of your team and the organisation. However, recognising the benefits of face-to-face working, there is an expectation that you would be in the office at least 60% of the time (3 days a week).
The Governance & Performance Lead is an essential role within the wider Executive Team who are leading change, aligning vision, standardising practice, and ensuring compliance, assurance and outward performance of all educational practices. The role sits under the Executive Lead, Assistant Head of Service who reports directly to the Head of Defence Children Services. This role works closely with the Head of Defence Children Services, alongside the Assistant Heads (ROW and Cyprus) offering guidance and support in line with second levels of defence assurance.
Key responsibilities:
· Provide professional guidance and assurance for schools’ effectiveness through internal inspection of our schools and settings across the world.
· Be the subject matter expert in relation to Ofsted expectations and school performance.
· Co-ordinate and provide professional guidance and support for all Governance Committees of our schools and settings
· Co-ordinate the internal review process evaluating school effectiveness both in location at during planned meetings with the Head Teachers.
· Provide information, guidance and assurance to our schools and Headquarters for Statutory Assessments and national Examinations.
· Work with Headquarters’ Schools Data colleagues to produce and analyse trends appertaining to Service children and mobility, and performance data against national comparisons.
· Lead the review process in DCS Schools and Settings across the world and publish the re-port to key stakeholders.
· Co-ordinate the internal review process evaluating DCS overall effectiveness.
Lead the review process of all three pillars of DCS headquarters in line with ACSO 4001.
· Advise schools, settings and Headquarters about requirements for statutory assessments and national examinations and ensure compliance.
· Advise and co-ordinate the governance of schools and settings to ensure high quality local support and assurance.
· Provide analysis of performance data and trends appertaining to service children and mobility.
· Facilitate the Standards Board for DCS Schools and Settings.
· You will be released to undertake inspection duties (Ofsted/ISI) and this will fall within contracted hours - Payment from the inspection authority (Ofsted/ISI) will be claimed back following MOD procedures.
Further information is available on the attached .
Person Specification
Essential skills/qualifications required:
· Ofsted/ISI Inspector qualified.
· UK Qualified Teacher Status.
· Current or very recent experience as an Ofsted or ISI Lead or Team Inspector.
· Experienced Education or Local Authority Leader.
· Experienced Head Teacher or Executive Head Teacher.
· Must be willing to travel overseas where required
Desirable skills/qualifications:
· National Professional Qualification for Headship.
· National Leader of Education.
· Experience as a School or Multi-Academy Trust Governor/Trustee.
Qualifications and Requirements:
· Ofsted/ISI Inspector qualified.
· UK Qualified Teacher Status.
· Evidence of qualification will be required at interview.
All qualifications/licences declared must be held at point of application and if applicable be in date. Equivalent Qualifications will not be accepted.
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £70,506, Ministry of Defence contributes £20,425 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
Other benefits for Army civil servants include:
· 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service.
· Highly competitive pension scheme.
· Personal and professional development of skills.
· Alternative working patterns for many roles.
· Access to the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), a free service that assists you with achieving a productive, healthy environment that is conducive to a healthy lifestyle.
· Enhanced parental and adoption leave.
· 6 days special leave per year which can be used for volunteering activities.
· Learning and Development.
We believe that everyone has the potential to make a difference, and you will be supported to help you learn and advance in your career. This includes working towards membership of a professional body and/or undertaking a modern apprenticeship as part of your role.
A modern apprenticeship is a combined package of work and training. Through the schemes available you will gain a professional qualification, practical experience, and the broader skills required to develop in your current role and pave the way for your future career.
Discover My Benefits: Please follow the link to visit the Discover My Benefits site which showcases the benefits and discounts offered when working as a civilian for the MOD.
To apply please visit Civil Service Jobs Army - Governance & Performance Lead (DCS) - Civil Service Jobs - GOV.UK to submit your completed application before the deadline of Friday 19th September 2025.
Defence Children Services is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Successful applicants will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.