Head of Education Belonging

• Head_of_Education_Belonging_JD

Please apply online via the link provided.

Please note, we do not accept CVs submitted without a fully completed online application form.

We have an excellent opportunity for a Head of Education Belonging to join our Education and Partnerships team here at Wokingham Borough Council, on a full-time, permanent basis.

As Head of Education Belonging, you will provide strategic leadership for the Council's statutory functions relating to school inclusion, SEND support, and education outcomes for vulnerable and disadvantaged children. You'll oversee school improvement interventions, manage a £5.8M budget, and lead partnership working across all schools and education settings in Wokingham.

This role requires decisive action on underperforming schools, robust safeguarding oversight, and effective collaboration with elected members, OFSTED, and multi-agency partners. You'll plan and monitor service performance while ensuring compliance with statutory duties.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a strategic, resilient professional with qualified teacher status and vast educational leadership experience to join our team.

⭐Staff Benefits⭐

Not only is this an excellent opportunity, but it’s a fantastic time to join our team. You will receive an extensive range of employee benefits including:

⭐Generous Annual Leave – 31 days annual leave (rising by 5 days after 5 years of continued local government service), plus bank holidays

⭐Local Government Pension Scheme

⭐GP Helpline - Available 7 days a week

⭐Employee Assistance Programme - Including a 24/7 Your Care Helpline

⭐Free Eye Tests and Flu Vaccines

⭐Free Onsite Gym - Located at Shute End Offices, Wokingham

⭐Salary Sacrifice Schemes - Including Car and Cycle to Work schemes

⭐Local & Lifestyle Discounts - Save on shopping, entertainment, dining out & more

⭐Move through Menopause Course

⭐Sports & Social Group Activities – Including running, football, cricket & more

⭐Learning & Development Opportunities

⭐Employee Networks

⭐And more!

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee local authority arrangements to refocus on support school inclusion and belonging strategy and practice with expertise gained in successful leadership and teaching practice at schools.
• Oversee the cross-cutting work to provide school-facing SEND leadership support and SEND SEF and to deliver effective support for PRU and its remodelling/reform, schools with internal APs, SEND and resources units.
• Ensure rapid and decisive action in relation to poorly performing maintained schools & education settings in line with statutory duties. This includes using intervention powers to remove school leaders, governing bodies and financial control where required.
• Lead, model & oversee partnership working arrangements with all schools & education settings to improve outcomes for disadvantaged and vulnerable children in line with statutory duties and Wokingham Borough’s priorities.
• Facilitate, influencing and supporting Wokingham Borough Education Partnership, Family of LA Schools initiative, and school-led peer to peer support and challenge for education inclusion and belonging, securing an appropriate curriculum to meet the needs of disadvantaged groups.

Candidate Requirements

• Qualified Teacher Status
• Educational leadership in one or more of: School or MAT education leadership or School Place Planning, Admissions, School Improvement, Virtual School.
• Experience in challenging individual and service underperformance to achieve improved outcomes for children.
• Experience of leading & delivering complex projects.
• Strong budget management experience
• Professional & personal resilience to manage complex services facing significant service improvement and financial pressures.

Our Area:

Wokingham Borough Council has recently been ranked 2nd most productive council in England by the Impower Productivity Index, recognising our strong performance and efficient use of public money.

Our Borough is set in the heart of Berkshire with excellent transport links to Reading and central London. Our area comprises of a vibrant and historical market town, attractive villages, and miles of beautiful countryside.

We’re home to a range of high performing schools, a host of international businesses and an incredible community. The borough has a strong local economy with accelerated growth, a range of excellent public facilities and low levels of crime, offering an exceptional quality of life.

Click the link below and Apply Today!

Alternatively, to arrange an informal discussion about the role, contact Ming Zhang, Service Director Education and SEND via email ming.zhang@wokingham.gov.uk (Strictly no agencies).

Closing date: Sunday 19th April 2026 at 11pm

Interview date: TBC

If your application is shortlisted for an interview, you will be required to provide proof of your right to work in the UK at that stage. Additionally, successful candidates must present proof upon receiving a job offer.

Please note that all offers are conditional and subject to the satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.

Please be aware that we will be reviewing the applications we receive on a daily basis, and we reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified.

Wokingham Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, other workers and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful candidates for this role will be subject to Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks along with other relevant employment checks.

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we regret that we are unable to respond to every applicant individually.

If you do not hear from us within 4 weeks of the application closing date, please assume that your application has not been successful on this occasion.

We appreciate your interest in joining Wokingham Borough Council and thank you for taking the time to apply.

Wokingham is an equal opportunities employer.