Head of School Support and Admission Services

Lead with Purpose. Drive Change. Make a Difference.

Are you ready to lead, innovate and make a positive impact on education in Southwark? If yes, we have an exciting opportunity for you!

We are seeking an ambitious and experienced leader to take on a key role supporting schools, governors and academy leaders.

About the Role:

As our Head of School Support and Admission, you will lead the delivery of high-quality support, guidance and advice to school leaders and governors across all phases of education, helping to shape a strong and collaborative school community.

You will coordinate a wide range of council functions, proactively develop support services, manage risk and drive opportunities for traded services, ensuring schools receive the guidance they need to thrive.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading school support initiatives and providing strategic guidance to maintained schools and governors.
• Offering professional advice to academy leaders, where agreed.
• Building strong relationships with educational leaders across all phases.
• Providing leadership across busy service areas, encouraging collaboration and sharing best practice.
• Deputising for the Deputy Director of Children’s Services for Learning and Inclusion when required.

If you are passionate about education, skilled at building partnerships and thrive in a dynamic environment, we want to hear from you.

About You:

You will be a collaborative, resilient and innovative leader, passionate about supporting schools and improving outcomes for children and young people. You will have a strong understanding of statutory requirements, school admissions and governance and will provide clear guidance on complex or sensitive issues.

You will bring proven experience in:

• Effectively supporting school leaders and governors.
• Navigating statutory requirements, school admissions and governance.
• Providing clear guidance on complex or sensitive issues.
• Driving service improvement and promoting inclusion and diversity.
• Delivering positive outcomes for children and young people.

For detailed qualifications and requirements, please see the full job description and person specification at the bottom of this advert.

To Be Considered for Interview:

Your cover letter (maximum two sides of A4) must clearly outline how you meet the job description and person specification in order to be considered.

Contact Information:

For an informal discussion about the role, contact Anna Chiva, Deputy Director Children’s Services (Learning and Inclusion) via email at Anna.Chiva@southwark.gov.uk.

Additional Information

• Salary: £69,537 - £86,766 per annum plus £3,503 JNC benefits (pro-rata)
• Working Hours: 36 per week, Monday - Friday
• Contract: Permanent
• Location: 160 Tooley St, London SE1 2QH
• DBS: Enhanced level required.

Benefits and more information:

https://jobs.southwark.gov.uk/why-us/

Recruitment Timeline:

• Advert close date: 11:59pm on Sunday 4th January 2026
• Shortlisting date/s: week commencing 5th January 2026
• Interview date/s: week commencing 19th January 2026

The closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. We strongly advise you to complete your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

We are an organisation who is passionate about our people and understands that richness of diversity is a requirement to provide the best possible services to our communities. This is demonstrated through our council-wide ambitious commitment to tackle racial inequality in our communities and workforce through our Southwark Stands Together initiative. We particularly welcome applications from members of the black, Asian and ethnic minority communities to increase representation at senior management level in the Council.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme:

As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the below criteria:

• Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
• Are currently in care, or have previously been in care
• If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition

About Southwark:

We are the largest local authority social landlord in London, managing 55,000 homes lived in by 40% of Southwark’s residents. We are home to over 18,300 businesses including iconic London venues and social enterprises, and we have a young, diverse and growing population.

At Southwark we are committed to making our borough just and fair and are taking positive action to tackle inequalities. Our residents and communities are our greatest asset and the passion we have for Southwark is shared by millions of Londoners who enjoy our outstanding cultural offer, use our hospitals and attend our universities. Our refreshed borough plan and focus on Southwark Stands Together, (which is our work with Southwark’s communities and the council’s staff to tackle racism, injustice and inequality) underpins all that we do.

Attachments

• Job Description & Person Specification - Head of School Support and Admission Services