Virtual School Academic Lead

Contract Type: Permanent

Salary: Grade H SCP 29 £ 39,862 - SCP 31 £ 41,771

Hours Per Week: 36 hours

Base

Location:

Hyde Town Hall

Assessment Date
: 22/04/2026 and 23/04/2026

As our Virtual School Academic Lead
, you’ll be the driving force behind improving the educational journey of some of our most vulnerable learners. This is a strategic, high‑impact role where you will champion high aspirations, shape targeted academic support, and influence practice across schools, social care teams, and partner services.

You will bring clarity to the bigger picture using evidence and insight to identify what children need to succeed, and work with education leaders to make sure support is ambitious, consistent, and rooted in what works. From guiding academic priorities, to shaping interventions, to ensuring strong collaboration between professionals, your leadership will help ensure children with a social worker, cared for children, and previously looked‑after children have every opportunity to achieve their best.

This is a role for someone who is energised by challenge, driven by purpose, and passionate about making a meaningful difference across the whole education system.

You’re an experienced education professional who brings credibility, confidence, and a track record of driving improvement. You’ve worked as a middle or senior leader with direct responsibility for raising academic standards
, and you understand what it takes to secure strong progress and high‑quality teaching across different settings.

You think strategically and act with purpose using evidence to guide decisions and champion high expectations for children who face additional barriers. You’re skilled at interpreting data, shaping priorities, and turning insight into meaningful action.

You communicate with clarity, influence with integrity, and collaborate naturally with a wide range of partners. Whether you’re advising school leaders, supporting colleagues, or navigating complex situations, you bring professionalism, empathy, and a steady, solutions‑focused approach.

Above all, you’re motivated by making a difference for vulnerable learners and you’re ready to use your leadership to help them achieve their full potential.

Message from Jill Colbert, Director of Children’s Services

I joined the council at the beginning of 2025 and was instantly charmed by the warmth, openness, and energy of colleagues. I came to Tameside for one reason; because I know we can do fantastic things for our families here. We’re a children’s service on a significant improvement journey. We know what needs to be different for our children and families and we’re ambitious to deliver that change.

We have a growing range of specialist services for children, where you can test and grow your skills and practice. We have a Social Work Academy that is led by people who bring passion to learning and who know that the DCS’ of the future are right in front of them. We are working on our progression pathways so that staying in Tameside is rewarded and recognised.

We have investment in innovation and improvement from the council so that we can grow services and support for families that we can sustain, from family hubs through to complex safeguarding.

I am so certain that we can build a proud, inclusive and safe climate for great practice to flourish in Tameside. I’d love you to join me on the journey here at Team Tameside.

At Tameside, we believe in:

• Compassion – understanding the lived experiences of children and families.
• Curiosity – asking questions that lead to deeper insight and better outcomes for children.
• Collaboration – working together across services to deliver joined‑up support.
• Conversation – listening and engaging meaningfully with children, families and professionals.
• Courage – leading with courage, making bold and compassionate decisions that put children first.

At Tameside, we are committed to ensuring all our Citizens lead long, fulfilling and healthy lives. We are committed to supporting economic growth, providing high quality health and care services, protecting our most vulnerable and creating strong and…