Portsmouth Education Partnership Independent Chair
The Portsmouth Education Partnership (PEP) is seeking to appoint a part time Independent Chair, up to 15 days a year over a two-year period initially, in order to provide supportive leadership for continued education improvement in Portsmouth.
How to apply
If you are interested in chairing the PEP Strategic Board, please reply byFriday 13th February2026 and set out on no more than two pages why you would be suitable for this position. Replies should be sent to Sarah Christopher, PEP & Inclusion Manager atsarah.christopher@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.
Interviews will be held online or in person in Portsmouth on 25th February or 2nd March 2025
If you would like an informal discussion, please contact either Sarah or Nathan Caine, Deputy Director, Education atnathan.caine@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.
Background
The Portsmouth Education Partnership was established in November 2016 as a vehicle through which Multi Academy Trusts, schools, academies, early years settings and post-16 providers in Portsmouth could collaborate to secure faster improvement of attainment and progress for children and young people.
The Board oversees the delivery of a three-year strategy which is currently in place for 2023 to 2026 with seven key priorities, details of which can be found here. The PEP structures supporting this work are set out on section 4 of the education strategy. Terms of reference for all of the PEP groups can be found here.
The role
We want to build on what the Partnership has achieved so far and the commitment that schools, MATs and other stakeholders have shown in getting behind ‘team Portsmouth’, taking collective action to address the priorities that matter to us all.
We want to appoint an Independent Chair for a minimum length of two years to drive forward the work of the PEP and implementation of the current strategy and the development of a new three-year strategy 2026 - 2029.
Specifically, the Chair will:
- Chair the PEP Strategic Board which meets on a termly basis, allocating additional time for the preparation of those meetings, supported by officers from the council.
- Proactively work with key partners in the city, notably Multi Academy Trusts, the Local Authority and the DfE Regional Director to support the drive to improve outcomes for children and young people.
- Ensure that the PEP has a clear strategy for recovery and school improvement and a system for measuring progress and sharing good practice ensuring available support is appropriately co-ordinated, targeted and utilised.
- Host an annual event to celebrate success and forward plan.
- Attend Headteacher briefings as and when necessary to help with key messages and implementation of the PEP priorities.
- Attend three termly meetings of the Council’s Health and Wellbeing Board.
In order to cover this work, we aim to agree a contract for up to 15 days each academic year. The day rate would be negotiated with the successful applicant.
The person
We are looking for a person with senior leadership experience in the education sector that can demonstrate successful experience of educational transformation which has had a positive impact on schools and outcomes for children and young people, whether as part of a Multi Academy Trust, a Local Authority or as cluster of schools.
Candidates will need to be able to have in depth understanding and knowledge of the complex educational landscape we are now working in and demonstrate evidence of how they have delivered success in spite of the complexity and challenges.
Partnership working is critical to this role and the candidate will need to be able to demonstrate strong influencing, negotiating and collaborative skills.
An understanding and commitment to inclusion is a crucial dimension to the role building on the excellent work that has taken place in the city to ensure we have an inclusive education system that puts children at the heart of the system and ensures no school or any other educational setting is left behind.