Local Education Systems Leader (14-19)

We are keen to recruit a new member to our school improvement team. The successful candidate will have oversight of 14-19 provision as well as a school improvement focused role. You will join a dedicated and supportive directorate who are passionate about making a difference.

You will be an experienced school senior leader with the energy, commitment and drive to build on our school improvement partnership work. You will have a track record of delivering significant improvement at senior leadership or headship level and be knowledgeable and experienced in school improvement. You will be innovative in response to challenges as well as a key driver in ensuring that Bexley becomes a forerunner and leader in new initiatives and ways of thinking about improving outcomes and experiences for children, young people and the wider workforce.

You will also have strong communication and influencing skills, with an ability to use coaching and other leadership approaches to secure improvement.

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing strategic leadership with a focus on academic and vocational learning pathways
• Working in partnership with the Careers Network and providing related support to schools and colleges
• Providing strategic oversight of NEET data and reporting trends to the DfE and Ofsted
• Overseeing the wider post 16 offer in Bexley
• Reviewing and updating policies in relation to 14 -19 provision
• Providing training to schools, and education teams within the council
• Providing school improvement support for an allocated cluster of schools
• Providing strategic leadership with a focus on transition points (end of KS4 and end of KS5)
• Contributing to traded services, delivering training on teaching and learning, leadership and governance.

We look forward to welcoming a new member to our team who shares our commitment to excellence in education.

Please refer to the Job Description attached for more information. 

Please note that the successful candidate will be required to be office based at least 3 days a week.

For an informal discussion about the role please contact Joan Woodham, Head of Education Improvement and Partnerships, 02030455037, joan.woodham@bexley.gov.uk 

Candidate Profile

We are seeking a qualified teacher with substantial senior leadership experience in a school or trust, who has had responsibility for overseeing the quality of education, demonstrates exceptional leadership skills, and values the importance of team collaboration. The ideal candidate will have:

• Extensive knowledge and experience in school improvement.
• Strong strategic leadership skills.
• Extensive leadership experience working within KS4 and KS5 settings.
• Experience in working with partner organisations.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills.

For the full list of essential and desirable criteria for this role, please refer to the Person Specification within the Job Description attached.  Please note that candidates must meet the essential criteria to be considered for this post 

For the full list of essential and desirable criteria for this role then please refer to the Person Specification within the Job Description attached.

Please upload your personal statement under the Relevant Experience and Skills section and ensure this fully aligns to the role criteria. This should not be more than two sides of A4. 

Appointment to this post will be subject to the outcome of an Enhanced Disclosure obtained through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)

Interviews are scheduled to be held on 30th September 2026.

Bexley is a vibrant and diverse outer London Borough nestled in the Thames Gateway between London and Kent which means it combines the perfect blend of city vibe and the tranquillity of Kent. It's got award-winning parks, open spaces, and heritage sites. The borough has excellent transport connections, including the Elizabeth Line and proximity to the M25. Bexley offers fantastic amenities such as libraries, leisure centres, and shopping areas. Our borough is also home to numerous primary and secondary schools, as well as further education institutions.

Our Offer to you

We will offer you in return a package that includes a competitive salary, coaching and mentoring programmes, an excellent pension scheme and generous annual leave plus bank holidays. For more information on the benefits package on offer please refer to the Candidate Information document attached.

Recruitment Information

As a disability confident employer Bexley welcomes applications from people with all disabilities, including hidden disabilities and mental health conditions. We will interview any disabled applicant who meets the minimum criteria. If you require reasonable adjustments to be made to any part of the recruitment process due to your disability, please contact us on  recruitment@bexley.gov.uk

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

This role may be available as a development opportunity through secondment for the Council’s existing employees.  The Council’s Secondment Scheme can be found here. If this option is of interest, please contact the recruiting manager.

We reserve the right to close adverts earlier than the closing date.