Head of Service, Quality Education

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Head of Service, Quality Education

Ref: RNR002917-2

Salary: £81,997 p.a. plus benefits

37 hours per week

At Swindon Borough Council, we want our town to be the best it can be. Our ambitious vision is backed by transformation programmes that put people at the heart of everything we do. We work for the communities and businesses that make Swindon great. Join us and help shape better public services, better processes and a better quality of life for everyone.

Reigniting the joy of learning: A borough on a mission

In Swindon, we are committed to making ambitious improvements across all of our childrens services and nothing is more important for our children than to grow up in a borough where learning at all levels is outstanding.

We are looking for a Head of Service Quality Education to join us and to shape the future learning in Swindon. You will be a visionary leader with a track record in raising educational standards and fostering collaborative relationships across schools, social care, health and community organisations. Your leadership will be instrumental in influencing a generation - one that will shape the future of Swindon.

About the Role

This senior leadership role provides strategic oversight of education-facing services within the Education Service. You will provide system leadership and strategic accountability for educational standards across Swindon. This includes monitoring performance, identifying underachievement and implementing strategies that secure rapid progress. You will lead challenge and intervention in underperforming schools and settings, commission and broker improvement services, and ensure that all schools and settings are good or outstanding.

Working closely with headteachers, governors and partners, you will influence decisions and shape services that make a measurable difference to children's lives. You will manage local School Improvement Boards and networks, exercise formal powers of intervention when required, and report on performance to senior leaders, elected members and external bodies.

About You

You are an experienced educational leader with a proven track record in driving improvement and managing change. Skilled in building partnerships and engaging communities, you combine strategic vision with a commitment to inclusion and innovation. Your leadership aligns with Swindon's priorities for fairness, quality of life and sustainability, supporting initiatives such as new SEND school placements and youth programmes that improve outcomes for disadvantaged children.

Why Swindon?

Swindon is a borough that embraces diversity, with a rich tapestry of languages, cultures, and backgrounds represented in our schools - in one of our schools alone 48 different languages are spoken. We serve a community, where high aspirations meet the realities of areas of significant deprivation. While some children face hurdles like low attendance and lower education outcomes, their potential is limitless-and it's our mission to help them unlock it.

We're proud to be a Borough of Sanctuary and are committed to creating a sense of community and belonging for all our residents. We're proud of the passion, commitment and skills of our dedicated Leaders, teachers, and support staff who are focused on ensuring that no child is left behind.

Be a catalyst for change

If you're ready to lead with purpose and make a lasting impact, we want to hear from you. Join us as we bring joy, inclusivity, and excellence back to the heart of learning in Swindon. Together, let's build a brighter future for our children.

Apply today to become our next Head of Service - Quality Education and help shape a brighter future for our children.

Your next package

• Relocation allowance of up to £8,000 (eligibility criteria applies)
• Competitive salaries
• Free car parking at our central Swindon campus and easy commuter links to many locations

Please see our Rewards and Benefits offer for more details.

As an employee, you will receive a diverse and exciting environment in which to work, encouraging creativity and innovation whilst recognising the need to support ongoing personal development and a flexible work life balance.

Please see our Vision and Values page for more details and our new Swindon Plan.

Your next steps

Please read the role profile, which is available in the documents section to the right hand side of the page. To submit an application for this role, select Quick Apply.

As an inclusive employer, we welcome applications from a diverse range of communities, and in particular disabled people and people from ethnic minorities. Read our statement of commitment to equality & inclusion.

Potential applicants are sometimes put off if they don't meet 100% of the requirements. We think individual experience, skills and passion make all the difference, so if you meet the majority of the criteria, we'd love to hear from you.

For further information about the role please contact Kashif Nawaz, Director of Education at KNawaz@Swindon.gov.uk

If you are experiencing technical issues submitting your application please email resourcing@swindon.gov.uk

Closing date: 5 January 2026

Interview date: 15 January 2026