School Improvement Advisor (Secondary)

Overview

We are seeking a highly skilled and passionate School Improvement Advisor (Secondary) to help drive excellence across Buckinghamshire’s secondary schools. This is a key role where you’ll influence educational outcomes, support strong leadership, and contribute to high‑impact improvement across the county. If you’re motivated by making a difference for pupils and supporting leaders to achieve their best, this role offers a meaningful and rewarding opportunity.

About the role

In this role, you will represent the Local Authority and work closely with school leaders and governing bodies to evaluate performance, identify priority areas, and shape effective improvement plans. You will provide expert advice and constructive challenge, ensuring schools have the right support and strategies in place to raise standards.

Your work will include leading external visits, supporting schools through Ofsted inspections, and delivering improvement services such as audits, workshops, conferences, and Headteacher Performance Management. You’ll play an important part in sharing best practice across the county and will lead initiatives aimed at improving outcomes for disadvantaged and vulnerable learners.

You’ll also support schools with safeguarding, equalities, PREVENT and academisation, and be involved in key decisions regarding governance and Headteacher recruitment. The role offers a balance of immediate responsive work and involvement in long‑term strategic projects that shape the future of education in Buckinghamshire.

This post requires an Enhanced DBS (Child Workforce) and a full driving licence.

About you

You will be an experienced secondary education professional with a strong background in school leadership and improvement. Your expertise will enable you to analyse school performance, guide senior leaders, and bring credibility to discussions at all levels. You will be confident navigating complex educational contexts and will have an excellent understanding of policy, best practice, and national expectations.

You will be someone who builds strong relationships and communicates with clarity and confidence. Your organisational skills will help you manage a varied workload, while your leadership qualities will inspire trust and motivate others.

You will hold a teaching qualification (QTS) and be educated to degree level, with postgraduate qualifications desirable. Experience as an Ofsted inspector is an advantage but not essential.

Other information

If you would like to find out more about this role, please contact Yvette Thomas at [email protected]

Closing date: Midnight on Sunday 19th April

Interview date: TBC

We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so please be advised to submit your application as early as possible.

Buckinghamshire Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:

• All unspent convictions and conditional cautions
• All spent convictions and adult cautions that are not protected (i.e. that are not filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2020 and 2023).

For further information on filtering please refer to Nacro guidance and the guidance published by the Ministry of Justice (see, in particular, the section titled ‘Exceptions Order’).

We understand that candidates may use AI tools to assist with their applications. While we welcome innovation, we expect all submissions to reflect your own experience, skills, and achievements accurately. Please ensure your application is truthful and demonstrates your personal capabilities, as this will be assessed during the selection process.

Our values and culture

We have a set of values, which our employees have chosen, that represent what we are – Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy.

By joining Buckinghamshire Council, you can expect:

• a fair and inclusive culture
• the chance to really make a difference to those around you
• health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops
• a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group
• ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us
• opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events

At Buckinghamshire Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work for us, and that’s why we’re working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and inclusive organisation.

From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, it’s important to us that all our colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Our offer of flexible working empowers a productive and happy workforce and allows employees to combine work with other responsibilities and commitments.

We believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we service in Buckinghamshire, and are looking for like-minded individuals to join us in promoting equality, fairness, and inclusion for everyone.

We recognise and reward you

Hard work and success deserves recognition. That’s why we pride ourselves on the benefits we give our people. We actively encourage a good work-life balance and promote flexible and agile working arrangements. We provide discounts on various Cafés, restaurants, shops and auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme. In addition to the opportunity to gain membership to Costco, we have discounted gym memberships, travel discounts with Arriva and much more.

https://jobs.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/working-buckinghamshire-council/