Director of Education Standards

Director of Education Standards

Location: National (Home-Based)
Travel: Regular travel to schools across England
Contract Type: Full Time, Permanent
Salary: Competitive (Dependent on Experience)

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and strategic Director of Education Standards to lead, monitor, and continuously improve educational quality across a portfolio of schools and educational settings. This is a senior leadership position responsible for driving outstanding educational outcomes, ensuring regulatory compliance, and supporting school leaders to deliver exceptional provision for children and young people.

The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in shaping educational strategy, leading school improvement initiatives, maintaining compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements, and ensuring all settings provide a safe, inclusive, and high-quality learning environment.

This role offers a unique opportunity to influence education on a national scale while working collaboratively with executive leaders, headteachers, and governance teams to deliver sustainable improvement and excellence.

Key Responsibilities

Educational Standards & School Improvement

• Lead the development and implementation of educational quality assurance frameworks across all schools.
• Monitor educational performance through data analysis, quality reviews, audits, and improvement planning.
• Identify underperformance and implement targeted intervention strategies to drive rapid and sustainable improvement.
• Support Headteachers and Senior Leadership Teams in raising standards of teaching, learning, behaviour, attendance, and outcomes.
• Evaluate school effectiveness and provide strategic recommendations to improve learner achievement and engagement.
• Develop and oversee school improvement plans, ensuring measurable impact and accountability.

Regulatory Compliance & Quality Assurance

• Ensure all educational settings comply with:
  • Independent School Standards (ISS)
  • Ofsted Education Inspection Framework (EIF)
  • Safeguarding legislation and statutory guidance
  • SEND legislation and the SEND Code of Practice
  • Equality and inclusion requirements
• Lead preparation for inspections and regulatory visits.
• Conduct internal audits and compliance reviews across schools.
• Monitor safeguarding practices and work closely with Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) to ensure best practice.

Strategic Leadership

• Contribute to the development of organisational education strategy and long-term improvement objectives.
• Provide expert educational advice and guidance to Executive Leaders, Directors, and Proprietors.
• Anticipate changes in educational policy, legislation, and inspection frameworks and ensure organisational readiness.
• Develop and implement systems that promote consistency and excellence across multiple sites.
• Lead organisational initiatives focused on curriculum development, assessment, quality assurance, and learner outcomes.

Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement

• Build strong professional relationships with school leaders, governors, local authorities, and external agencies.
• Coach and mentor Headteachers and senior leaders to develop leadership capacity.
• Facilitate professional development opportunities and promote a culture of continuous improvement.
• Lead strategic meetings, quality reviews, and performance discussions.
• Represent the organisation at external meetings and professional forums where appropriate.

Data, Reporting & Performance Management

• Analyse educational performance data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Produce detailed reports for Executive Leadership Teams and Boards.
• Establish key performance indicators and monitor progress against educational targets.
• Ensure robust systems are in place to measure the quality and impact of educational provision.

Essential Requirements

Qualifications

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), QTLS, or equivalent recognised teaching qualification.
• Degree-level qualification or equivalent professional experience.
• Evidence of continued professional development relevant to senior education leadership.

Experience

• Significant senior leadership experience within education.
• Proven success in improving educational outcomes across multiple schools, services, or educational settings.
• Experience supporting schools through Ofsted inspections and regulatory compliance processes.
• Demonstrable track record of leading successful school improvement initiatives.
• Experience working with SEND and alternative provision settings is highly desirable.

Knowledge & Skills

• Extensive knowledge of:
  • Independent School Standards
  • Ofsted Inspection Frameworks
  • KCSIE (Keeping Children Safe in Education)
  • SEND legislation and guidance
  • Safeguarding regulations and best practice
• Strong analytical and strategic planning capabilities.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to influence, challenge, and support senior leaders effectively.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities across geographically dispersed locations.

Personal Attributes

We are looking for a leader who:

• Is passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people.
• Demonstrates integrity, professionalism, and accountability.
• Has a collaborative and supportive leadership style.
• Is resilient and confident in managing change.
• Can inspire, motivate, and develop educational leaders.
• Maintains high expectations and a relentless focus on quality.
  
  

Benefits

• Home-based working with flexible arrangements.
• Extensive professional development and funded qualifications.
• Enhanced maternity and paternity provisions.
• Health and wellbeing support programmes.
• Medicash healthcare cashback scheme.
• Life assurance (4x annual salary).
• Employee recognition and reward programmes.
• Employee referral bonus scheme.
• Access to discounts and rewards platform.
• Annual conferences and leadership development opportunities.