Director of Education
Stoke-on-Trent City Council
Salary £111,136 to £116,521
Stoke-on-Trent is a unique place, forged through its industrial past, built on layers of enterprise and craftsmanship, and with a strong sense of personal and collective identity.
Our children and young people are at the heart of the city’s ambitions. We have a growing and increasingly diverse pupil population, a fully school-led education system, and a recently published strategy focused on attendance, inclusion and ensuring every child can access and sustain engagement in education. Under a stable and focused senior leadership team, the Council has a clear commitment to improving educational outcomes and strengthening the life chances of children and families across the city. We are now looking for a Director of Education to lead this agenda, build on the progress we’ve made, and drive consistent improvement across the system.
THE ROLE
As Director of Education, you will lead across school improvement, early years, inclusion, SEND, education access and provision, the virtual school, quality assurance and curriculum, and schools traded services. You will be responsible for a budget of over £117 million and a workforce of around 418 staff, reporting to the Corporate Director of Children and Family Services.
This is a role that demands both strategic clarity and operational grip. Education outcomes in the city remain below national averages in key areas, and there is a shared expectation that the Director will drive consistent, measurable improvement across the system. You will need to build on the Council’s education partnership arrangements, working with headteachers, trusts and system leaders to secure collective responsibility for improvement.
SEND and inclusion are central to the city’s priorities. The Council has made important progress in managing the high needs budget, but demand continues to rise and the financial environment is tight. You will need to balance inclusion, sufficiency and sustainability while continuing to improve outcomes for children with additional needs.
The role also connects to Stoke-on-Trent’s wider ambitions around skills, employment and inclusive growth, and the Council’s local government reorganisation journey. This is a significant opportunity for an experienced education leader who wants to lead system-wide change in a vibrant and ambitious city.
INFORMATION
For more information please contact Tim Farr 07756 293292 / tim.farr@starfishsearch.com or Tom Ripley 07701 217520 / tom.ripley@starfishsearch.com Use the 'Click Here' button below to visit the Team Stoke website and learn more.
Role Profile Structure chart CLICK HERETimeline
Closing Date: 17th May 2026
Longlisting: 21st May 2026
Technical Interviews: 2nd and 5th June 2026
Shortlisting: 11th June 2026
Final Panel: 29th June