Head of Education
Head of Education
Help shape the future of education across Cheshire West and Chester
We are looking for an exceptional and ambitious education leader to join us as our Head of Education.
This is a significant senior leadership role with the opportunity to influence the educational experiences and outcomes of children and young people across Cheshire West and Chester. Reporting to the Director of Education and Inclusion, you will lead, manage and develop our Education Services, working closely with early years providers, schools, academies, post-16 settings and partners to ensure children and young people have access to high-quality education and learning opportunities that meet their needs.
The breadth of the role makes this an exciting opportunity for an experienced education leader who enjoys working across organisational and professional boundaries.
Cheshire West and Chester Council is a place where everyone can Thrive – through our core values of Teamwork, Honesty, Respect, Innovation, Value for Money and Empowerment.
You will provide strategic leadership across school improvement, education inclusion, sufficiency of early years and school places, post-16 opportunities, the Virtual School and our education support and infrastructure services. You will build strong relationships with education providers and work across education, health and social care to support high-quality, integrated services for children and young people.
The opportunity
As Head of Education, you will be expected to provide visible and credible leadership across our education system.
You will lead the development of policy and strategy relating to educational access, standards and outcomes and work with schools and partners to promote high standards of learning and achievement. Where schools or providers are causing concern, you will ensure that appropriate support, challenge and intervention are in place.
Partnership will be fundamental to your success. You will work with schools and settings alongside organisations including Ofsted and the Department for Education, as well as regional and national partners, to influence policy and practice and share effective approaches across the education system. You will also represent the Council regionally and nationally, promoting and protecting the interests and priorities of the authority.
You will oversee services supporting some of our most vulnerable children, including the Virtual School, and provide leadership to services supporting early years and education infrastructure. You will also ensure that Cheshire West and Chester has sufficient early years provision, school places and post-16 opportunities so that children and young people can access suitable, high-quality education.
This is also a substantial organisational leadership position. You will lead and develop the workforce, oversee significant and complex service budgets, including relevant Dedicated Schools Grant responsibilities, provide advice and support to elected Members and contribute alongside the Director of Education and Inclusion and Executive Director of Children’s Services to wider directorate strategy and operational leadership.
About you
We are looking for an accomplished senior leader with extensive leadership experience within education or related Children’s Services and a strong track record of translating strategy into sustained service improvement.
You will bring experience of leading change, financial management of large and complex budgets, cross-agency partnership and system leadership, performance management, inspection preparation and quality assurance. You will also have expert knowledge of education legislation, statutory guidance and the responsibilities of local authorities.
Just as importantly, you will be an excellent communicator and relationship builder. You will be able to work confidently with schools, partners, elected Members, employees, senior leaders and communities, bringing people together around a compelling vision for improvement. You will be comfortable making complex decisions, operating under public scrutiny and maintaining focus when priorities compete and circumstances are uncertain.
You will bring energy, resilience and ambition, while recognising and developing the potential of others. You should be able to think creatively about the future, develop new ideas quickly and explain complex issues simply, while retaining a strong focus on delivery and results.
Above all, you will share our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, safeguarding, corporate parenting, service excellence and value for money, and have the ambition to help create a flagship authority.
What we can offer
As well as the opportunity to take on a highly influential education leadership role, the Council offers flexible working arrangements, learning and development opportunities, family-friendly leave and access to the Local Government Pension Scheme. Annual leave starts at 26 days and increases to 31 days, with the opportunity to earn additional days' leave.
The role is classed as hybrid, with the postholder spending the majority of their time in Council offices or at partner sites alongside opportunities to work from home. The position is politically restricted and requires an Enhanced DBS check, including Children’s/Adults Barred List checks. Flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends is also required.
If you want to make a difference
This is an opportunity to take a leading role in shaping an education system that is ambitious for every child and young person.
If you are an experienced education leader who can combine strategic vision with operational leadership, build influential partnerships and turn ambition into measurable improvement, we would like to hear from you.
For an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact Sal Thirlway via Sal.Thirlway@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk
Please note that interviews are scheduled to take place on 8 January 2027.
Please note that this job is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
The Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults at risk and children. It’s a criminal offence for people who are barred from working in Regulated Activity (under the Safeguarding and Vulnerable Groups Act 2006) to apply for roles that require them to work unsupervised with that particular group (i.e. adults at risk, children, or both).
To find out more information about what it is like to work for Cheshire West and Chester Council including our rewards and benefits please see www.cwcrecruitment.co.uk
Candidates may use AI tools to support proofreading, editing and presentation. However, all application materials should represent the candidate's own experience, perspectives and thinking. We are seeking original and authentic responses, and applicants should ensure that any submission reflects their own analysis, judgement and vision for the role. No candidate will meet every single requirement - if your experience looks a little different from what we've identified and you think you can bring value to the role, we'd love to learn more about you!
Cheshire West and Chester Council are committed to equality and diversity in employment. Please see the Equality Policy for more information.
Cheshire West and Chester Council have adopted a Local Living Wage for our employees which means that all employees will receive a minimum of £13.45 per hour for all contracted hours.
For any technical enquiries please email Sourcingteam@ecwip.co.uk and quote job reference number in all correspondence.
Attachments
Salary range
- £80,972 - £89,589 per year