Army - Defence Children Services (DCS) Virtual School Head Teacher

Army - Defence Children Services (DCS) Virtual School Head Teacher

Location: Trenchard Lines, Upavon, Wiltshire (willingness to travel to overseas locations)

Grade: Soulbury 4, Abated

Salary: £68,786 - £74,938

Contract: Permanent

Working Pattern: Full Time - 37 Hours

Closing Date: Tuesday 1st October 2024

Are you a UK Qualified Teacher looking for a new and exciting challenge? Then this role may be for you!

Defence Children Services (DCS) is looking for an experienced Head Teacher to run our MOD Virtual School. DCS is recruiting a MOD Virtual School Head Teacher (MODVS HT) to join our Headquarters team in Wiltshire. You will play a vital role in supporting and improving the educational outcomes of approximately 5000 children and young people in Service Families. This is a dynamic and exciting role providing the opportunity to work with our overseas locations and the wider Defence community.

As the MOD Virtual School Head Teacher (MODVS HT), you will make a significant difference to Defence and Service families by overseeing all children overseas, in non-DCS schools, including those who are electively home educated (EHE). The MODVS HT ensures all military children in non-DCS schools are identified, located, and have suitable educational provision in place. You will ensure that children overseas, who are not in a DCS school, have their educational and welfare needs met to provide them with the best life chances. You will provide professional guidance and assurance for stakeholders to ensure an effective and safe education.

Defence Children Services (DCS) has staff working in Military establishments across the world. Our services include the provision of advice, guidance, and support concerning the education and safeguarding for service families in the United Kingdom and globally. This includes operating MOD schools and settings for the children of Defence personnel (Service and Civilian) serving overseas.

All our activities are crafted to meet the effective educational needs of our children and families, mitigating the challenges of mobility and promoting the positive opportunities of service life. Your contribution to this is essential and invaluable.

The post holder’s key responsibilities and main duties are:

• To work with senior leaders across DCS, Education Welfare Officers (EWOs), and education organisations to ensure all military children educated overseas in non-DCS schools are safe and receiving appropriate education.
• To lead the MOD VS team and set the strategic direction of the MOD Virtual School.
• To establish, develop, and maintain strong partnerships with key stakeholders, including school senior leaders, overseas Commands, and health/social care professionals.
• To work with key partners to develop plans and programmes of support that meet the needs of Service children in non-DCS schools.
• To ensure referrals to other supporting agencies (British Forces Social Work Service (BFSWS) or teams EWO, Overseas Education and Supportability (OES)) are made at the appropriate point and in a timely manner. To liaise closely with other teams to ensure DCS provides a ‘joined-up’ service for Service families.

If you would like to have an informal chat about the role before applying, please contact Gemma Hunt, Specialist Support Services via: rc-dcs-hq-recruitment@mod.gov.uk

To apply, please visit Civil Service Jobs to submit your completed application before the deadline of Tuesday 1st October 2024.

Defence Children Services is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Successful applicants will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.