We are looking for an experienced highly skilled and dedicated school leader to join the Newham team as Headteacher of our Virtual School. The Virtual School in Newham has been recognised as a beacon of best practice for many years under the current leadership team. Following the retirement of our outgoing Virtual School Head, our new Virtual School Headteacher will lead an established team to continue to build on this success and ensure that we provide the best possible learning experiences for all care experienced children and young people in Newham, as well as those with a social worker. You will be an experienced teacher and school leader, with significant experience of supporting children to achieve excellent education outcomes and a proven passion for challenging inequalities. You will have demonstrable partnership-building skills, and an ability to work in partnership with schools, children’s social care and other partners to provide the best possible opportunities for all children and young people being supported by the Virtual School.
Newham is a diverse borough and we are committed to our workforce being representative of the families that we work with. We are taking concerted, meaningful and intentional action to develop an inclusive culture because we believe this is at the heart of enabling diversity in all respects, including diversity of thought. We are taking positive actions to challenge all forms of discrimination and injustice to help make Newham a fairer and more equitable place to live, learn and work. As Headteacher of Newham’s Virtual School you will play a leading role in building a fairer Newham.
If you would like to have confidential conversation about this opportunity please get in touch with Annabel Bates, Director of Education: [email protected]
Deadline for applications: 10 May
Stage 1 interviews and assessment centre: 14 May
Final panel interview: 20 May
Please see job description for more information: https://www.newham.gov.uk/downloads/file/7297/vsht-jd-may-2024-
Additional Information
The London Borough of Newham is a Disability Confident employer. Candidates who declare that they have a disability in accordance with the Equality Act 2010 and meet the essential criteria as specified in the Job Profile will be guaranteed an interview.
Newham is one of the youngest, most diverse, and vibrant boroughs in the UK. As an inclusive employer, we are committed to ensuring our workforce reflects our local population. We welcome and encourage applicants from under-represented groups, including applicants who are ethnically diverse and/or applicants who have a disability.
Priority consideration on all advertised roles will be given to London Borough of Newham Redeployees.
The London Borough of Newham is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable groups and expects staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Please be aware that a Disclosure and Barring Scheme (DBS) check will be required for any position with access to these groups under the provision of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
In addition, the Authority reserves the right to request employees undertake a basic disclosure check (Disclosure Scotland) where required for the role this includes anyone who has access to (or information obtained directly from) a government database, or has a GCSX account. These posts will be required to have a Basic Disclosure Scotland check as per the requirements of BPSS (Baseline Personnel Security Standards).
Please attach your supporting statement, explaining in no more than x2 A4 sides why and how you meet the criteria for this role.
The London Borough of Newham is located only 5 miles east of London. It is well positioned with access to all major networks in London and the south east. It is well connected by public transport with, bus, tube and DLR. When the Crossrail service opens it will call at Custom House close to our council offices and also Stratford station and from there to central London. The London City Airport which serves major European cities is located at Royal Albert Dock. Newham has the youngest overall population in the country. It was one of the six host boroughs for the 2012 Summer Olympics and contains most of the Olympic Park including the London Stadium. It has a thriving arts quarter with the Theatre Royal Stratford East offering excellent entertainment for all the family. There is the University of East London which has two campuses in Newham, one in Stratford and another next to the regenerated Royal Albert Dock. It also has a large Westfield shopping Centre in Stratford which has all the major retailers there.
Newham has a large housing regeneration programme that will build over 1,000 new council homes by 2022.
United Kingdom
