Esland
Head of Education Quality and Assurance
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Application Deadline: 28 August 2026
Department: Quality
Location: Belper - Support Centre
Compensation: £60,000 - £65,000 / year
Description
You are our independent check on the quality and safety of the education across every Esland school. You hold an honest view of quality, and you test it rather than take it on trust.
Because your assurance has to be trusted, you sit outside the operational line. You report to the Quality Director, and your findings reach the board. You will not run school improvement, that stays with our Education Director and headteachers. Your job is to test whether it is working, and to say so plainly.
What you'll be doing
A real week in this role means:
- Auditing every school against the Independent School Standards and the Ofsted and ISI (Independent Schools Inspectorate) frameworks, and turning what you find into clear actions
- Testing quality first-hand through audits, learning walks, deep dives and work sampling
- Checking each school's own self-assessment against what you actually see
- Reporting honestly on teaching, curriculum, behaviour, attendance and outcomes for young people
- Giving governors a clear, independent view each term so they can hold their school to account
- Working with our external school improvement partner so internal and external assurance line up
- Coaching and challenging senior leaders on the evidence
- Championing a strong safeguarding culture in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE), and escalating concerns without hesitation
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What we're looking for
You'll need:
- Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
- Substantial experience in a SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) setting, in a senior leadership or quality assurance role
- A track record of improving teaching, curriculum and outcomes for young people
- Real knowledge of the Independent School Standards and the Ofsted and ISI frameworks, and first-hand experience of inspection
- The independence and credibility to challenge senior leaders and report what you find without fear or favour
- A full UK driving licence, as the role means regular travel and overnight stays
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It also helps if you bring:
- A school improvement, quality assurance or leadership qualification
- Experience across more than one school or site
- A background in alternative provision as well as SEND
What we offer
- Salary of £60,000 to £65,000 per annum, plus a £3,000 car allowance
- 28 days annual leave, plus bank holidays and your birthday off
- An independent reporting line with real standing, straight to the board and the CEO
- A role where your judgement shapes the quality and safety of education for vulnerable young people
- The backing of a team of 850+ who put children first
- Online GP, so you can see a doctor quickly when you need to
- Life insurance worth four times your salary
- Health cash plan towards everyday healthcare costs and occupational sick pay
- Green car scheme and other salary sacrifice benefits
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