We are delighted to have supported Wakefield Council on the recent appointment of their Service Director – Education and Inclusion. Following on from similar appointments in Leeds and Bradford, these high profile roles are some of the most challenging to recruit to in local government with generally small candidate fields. Councils’ changing role in maintained provision alongside academies and free schools, whilst operating with constrained budgets mean that candidates have to be capable managers and leaders but generate positive relationships with key partnerships for the whole system to flourish. As skills funding has been cut the link to FE and employers is also an essential role for councils in ensuring post-16 opportunities are available for young people.
If you are an authority looking to recruit to such a role and would like to discuss the insights gained during these search processes, please do get in touch. Alternatively if you are working in Education/Skills now as an inspector, advisor, headteacher, consultant or working in a council service and considering your next move please contact us for a confidential discussion.