Headteacher of the Virtual School

Our Story:

Halton is a vibrant local authority with a rich history and heritage, featuring two iconic bridges that connect communities across the River Mersey. Located in Cheshire, Halton boasts excellent transport links between Liverpool and Manchester, as well as close proximity to both Liverpool John Lennon and Manchester Airports. 

Our progressive community strategy aims to bring about meaningful, long-term improvements that enhance lives. It’s an exciting time to join us as we develop new policies and transform the way people access services.

We are immensely proud that when asked what’s great about working for Halton, the most popular response from our workforce has been ‘our colleagues’. 

Our Team:

The Virtual School team includes our incredible PEP leads, as well as our excellent Education to Employment Advisor, Safeguarding Children in Education Officer and those involved in the wider duties of the VS.  The Virtual School works closely with our EP team, social care and health colleagues and of course the amazing Designated Teachers in all of our schools!

Your Contributions:

Striving for the best possible educational outcomes for Children in Care and other children under its charge, you will become the strategic lead of the Virtual School; working collaboratively with our school leaders, social workers and other key stakeholders across Halton to provide a joined-up approach to delivering this aim. You will oversee Halton's statutory duties of the Virtual School, as well as having strategic responsibility for safeguarding in education in Halton. 

 

As a champion for our children, you will demonstrate your experience of working with Children in Care, Care Leavers and children who have been previously Looked After, as well as QTS and senior leadership experience in improving outcomes for children and young people in an education or local authority setting. 

 

Our Offer:

Aside from working with a great team, our employees have access to a fantastic range of benefits, including:
•    A generous annual holiday allowance starting at 34 days per year (including bank holidays), increasing with long service
•    Membership of our defined benefit, salary-linked Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) with generous employer contributions
•    3 x Salary Life Cover via Local Government Pension Scheme
•    Investment in your personal development 
•    Free Car Parking at HBC sites 
•    Flexible working arrangements 
•    Car leasing schemes

•    Car User Allowance

 

As this role may involve regular travel across the borough and sometimes further afield, a driving license and access to a vehicle are essential requirements.  Where appropriate, reasonable adjustments will be made in accordance with the provisions of the Equality Act.

Next Steps:

At Halton Borough Council, we want all of our candidates to feel well-informed so if you would like to have an informal chat about this role, please contact Ben Holmes, Director of Education, Inclusion & Provision, on 0151 511 7817. 

Interviews will take place on 12th March 2025. Please note that, in line with Safer Recruitment, references will be requested prior to interview. 

At Halton Borough Council we want to ensure that our communities are represented across our workforce and a vital part of this is to encourage diversity in all respects. We are committed to making our recruitment practices barrier-free and tailored to best suit the needs and strength of the individual. This includes making adjustments for people with a disability, neurodiversity or with long-term health conditions. If you require accommodations, please reach out during the recruitment process so that we can make this the best possible experience for you – resourcing@halton.gov.uk

Please refer to the attached Job Profile for further information about the role and our values.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the specified date should we receive sufficient applications. If you’re interested, please complete your application as early as possible. 

We look forward to receiving your application!