Confidential
Director of Education Standards & Improvement
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Director of Education Standards & Improvement
Location: Remote (Midlands preferred) with regular UK travel
Salary: £100,000–£110,000 + Car Allowance
Contract: Permanent | Full Time
Lead educational improvement across one of the UK's leading specialist education providers.
We are seeking an exceptional education leader to provide strategic leadership for educational standards, school improvement and professional practice across a significant portfolio of specialist schools.
This confidential appointment offers a rare opportunity to influence educational outcomes at scale, working alongside Executive Leaders, Regional Directors and Headteachers to drive consistently high standards across a national education portfolio.
This is not a Headteacher role. It is a strategic leadership position requiring extensive experience leading educational improvement across multiple schools within a SEND environment.
About the Role
As Director of Education Standards & Improvement, you will be responsible for driving educational excellence across a large portfolio of specialist schools, ensuring consistently high standards of teaching, learning, curriculum, leadership and pupil outcomes.
Working closely with senior operational and education leaders, you will use data, quality assurance and evidence-based practice to identify opportunities for improvement, strengthen leadership capability and ensure schools are well prepared for inspection.
You will play a key role in shaping educational strategy, embedding best practice and supporting schools to deliver outstanding outcomes for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
Key Responsibilities
Educational Strategy & Leadership
- Lead the development and implementation of the organisation's education standards and school improvement strategy.
- Drive consistency in educational practice, curriculum delivery and teaching standards across all schools.
- Provide strategic advice and challenge to Executive Leaders, Regional Directors and Headteachers.
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School Improvement
- Lead educational quality reviews and school improvement activity across a portfolio of schools.
- Support schools to improve educational performance and inspection outcomes.
- Identify emerging risks and implement targeted improvement strategies.
- Embed evidence-based approaches that improve outcomes for pupils with SEND.
Leadership Development
- Coach and develop Headteachers and senior leadership teams.
- Share best practice across schools to improve consistency and educational excellence.
- Lead professional development initiatives that strengthen leadership capability across the organisation.
Performance & Governance
- Use educational performance data to monitor standards and drive continuous improvement.
- Ensure compliance with SEND legislation, safeguarding requirements and statutory guidance.
- Build effective relationships with Local Authorities, regulators and external stakeholders.
Essential Experience
Applicants must be able to demonstrate:
- Significant senior leadership experience within specialist SEND education.
- Responsibility for educational standards across a portfolio of at least 10 schools.
- Experience operating at Regional Director, Director of Education, Executive Director or equivalent senior leadership level.
- A proven track record of improving educational outcomes across multiple schools.
- Experience supporting schools to achieve and maintain Good or Outstanding Ofsted judgements.
- Extensive knowledge of SEND legislation, the SEND Code of Practice, safeguarding and inspection frameworks.
- Experience leading school improvement, quality assurance and inspection readiness programmes.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate educational performance data into strategic improvement plans.
- Exceptional influencing skills with experience coaching Headteachers and senior leaders.
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Desirable Experience
- Experience within independent specialist education, alternative provision or multi-academy trusts.
- Experience supporting organisational growth, acquisitions or school integration.
- Knowledge of therapeutic education models and innovative SEND practice.
- Experience leading education strategy across geographically dispersed schools.
Who We're Looking For
This opportunity is designed for experienced Regional Directors of Education, Directors of School Improvement, Executive Directors of Education or senior Trust education leaders who have successfully led educational improvement across multiple schools.
Applicants whose experience has been limited to leading a single school are unlikely to have the breadth of leadership experience required for this position.
Why Join Us?
This is an opportunity to influence educational strategy and standards across a large, complex specialist education organisation.
You will work alongside an experienced Executive team, shaping educational practice, developing senior leaders and improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND on a national scale.
In return, you'll join an ambitious organisation committed to continuous improvement, innovation and delivering exceptional education for every pupil.
Benefits
- Competitive salary of £100,000–£110,000 plus Car Allowance
- Pension scheme
- Life Assurance
- Enhanced family leave
- Employee wellbeing programme
- Electric Car Scheme
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Flexible benefits platform
- Ongoing professional development
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