Improvement Adviser - Secondary\/ Special Schools

Salary: Soulbury 20-23 plus 3 SPA

Improvement Adviser for Schools (Secondary / Special)

Pembrokeshire County Council
Part‑time (0.4 FTE), Fixed‑Term - 1 year (in the first instance)

Pembrokeshire County Council is seeking to appoint an experienced Improvement Adviser for Schools to support, challenge and secure improvement in secondary schools, with desirable experience of special school or specialist provision.

This is a part‑time (0.4 FTE), fixed‑term post for one year in the first instance, funded to strengthen the Council's capacity to support schools causing concern and those subject to statutory intervention.

The purpose of the role is to monitor, support and challenge school performance and school leaders, acting as an agent of change to build leadership capacity and improve outcomes for

learners. The postholder will play a key role in supporting schools in difficulty and ensuring effective progress against Estyn recommendations.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as Improvement Adviser to a group of secondary schools, providing high‑quality challenge, support and professional guidance
• Monitor and evaluate school performance and leadership effectiveness
• Support schools' capacity for robust self‑evaluation and improvement planning
• Broker, commission and evaluate support to secure sustainable improvement
• Work closely with headteachers, governing bodies, the local authority and partner agencies
• Contribute to wider School Improvement Team activity, including reviews, inspections and professional learning

Person Specification

The successful candidate will:

• Hold Qualified Teacher Status and be qualified to degree level (or equivalent)
• Have substantial and successful experience in a secondary school setting (essential)
• Demonstrate a successful track record of improving schools, either:
• As a senior leader within a school, and/or
• As a school improvement or advisory professional
• Have a strong understanding of effective teaching, curriculum design and leadership for improvement
• Possess excellent analytical, communication and interpersonal skills

Desirable:

• Experience of working with special schools, PRUs or specialist provision
• Experience of supporting schools in special measures or other statutory categories

This is a challenging and rewarding role requiring credibility, resilience and a strong moral purpose to improve outcomes for learners.

• Advert close - 29th June
• Shortlisting 30th June (pm)
• Interviews 14th July

Employee Benefits

Our employee benefits are designed to help invest in your future and are in addition to living and working in Pembrokeshire, one of the most beautiful and desirable counties in the UK.

The Visit Pembrokeshire website https://www.visitpembrokeshire.com/ is an excellent source of information, and showcases the wide variety of activities, amenities and adventures that await you.

Please refer to the job description above for more details on this vacancy and the person specification.

Employment Checks

This post is subject to a DBS disclosure check.

Where it is appropriate for your role and responsibility, the personal information we have collected from you will be shared with Cifas who will use it to prevent fraud, other unlawful or dishonest conduct, malpractice, and other seriously improper conduct. If any of these are detected you could be refused certain services or employment. Your personal information will also be used to verify your identity. Further details of how your information will be used by us and Cifas, and your data protection rights, can be found by visiting https://www.cifas.org.uk/fpn.

Applicants should ensure they have the right to work in the UK before applying for a vacancy.

Please note that at this point, Pembrokeshire County Council is not accepting applicants who require a Skilled Worker visa as a prerequisite to a right to work in the UK. Applicants should ensure they have the right to work in the UK before applying for a vacancy.

Guidance Note: Use of AI and Accuracy of Information:

• We understand that applicants may choose to use tools such as generative AI to support the preparation of their application. While the use of such tools is permitted, it remains the applicant's full responsibility to ensure that all information submitted is factually accurate, truthful, and representative of their own skills, experiences and qualifications.
• Providing information that is false, misleading, or exaggerated, regardless of whether it was generated by AI or not, may result in disqualification from the recruitment process or dismissal if discovered after appointment.
• By submitting this application, you confirm that all content provided is accurate and submitted in good faith.

The Supported Employment Programme is a group of local authority based enterprises that employs over 75 people with a disability or work limiting health condition, please visit the link below for further information: Pembrokeshire Supported Employment Programme - Pembrokeshire County Council

Safeguarding

Safeguarding and protecting children and adults at risk is a high priority for Pembrokeshire County Council. We aim to support vulnerable children and adults at risk to ensure they are as safe as they can possibly be. We are committed to ensuring their safety and will take action to safeguard their well-being. The Council's Corporate Safeguarding Policy provides a framework for every member of staff and Service within the Council, setting out responsibilities in relation to safeguarding and protecting children and adults at risk as well as the methods by which the Council will be assured that it is fulfilling its duties.

This policy applies to all Council employees and workforce, councillors, volunteers and also service providers that are commissioned by the Council. Safeguarding is everyone's business whether they work for, or on behalf of, the Council.

Support & Additional Info

• Please contact the HR Systems Team as early as possible if you're unable to apply online by emailing hrsystemsteam@pembrokeshire.gov.uk .
• Please contact the Recruitment Team if you have any queries relating to this vacancy by emailing Recruit@pembrokeshire.gov.uk .
• Local Government Employees on National Joint Council (NJC) terms are subject to national pay bargaining; all salaries currently stated in our adverts are as 01/04/2025.
• Please note, we have a legal obligation to consider employees for suitable alternative employment if their posts are at risk; therefore prior consideration will be given to existing employees who meet the person specification and are registered on our redeployment pool.

Welsh language skills are desirable. Applications may be submitted in Welsh and will not be treated less favourably than applications submitted in English.