System Leader for School Improvement – Hackney Education

Terms: Teachers Leadership 12 to 16, Inner London £80,411 to £87,811

Are you an outstanding senior leader dedicated to driving peer-to-peer excellence, educational innovation and inclusive practice?

Hackney Education has a proud, long-standing legacy of providing exceptional places for children to learn and for staff to work. We are seeking passionate, high-performing System Leaders for School Improvement to join our team as we continue building sustainable capacity and excellence across our family of schools.

At the heart of what we do is a commitment to achieving high standards of education in all of our schools. We want to ensure our work in school-to-school support, leverages the proven expertise and outstanding practice from within Hackney to empower leadership teams, elevate standards, and ensure every child thrives.

About the Role

This is a practitioner-led partnership role. As a System Leader for School Improvement, you will act as a trusted peer mentor and subject matter expert delivering targeted, high-impact support to schools identified within Hackney Education’s School-to-School Support Structure. You lead on an aspect of the curriculum, help support continued professional development and lead on innovation drawing upon strong pedagogical research. 

Working under the strategic guidance and line management of an Education Improvement Adviser, you will work directly alongside school leaders to model high-quality practice, coach leadership teams, and build long-term internal capacity.

You will champion equity, anti-racism, and inclusion, ensuring improved outcomes for disadvantaged pupils and pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, and those pupils with multiple languages, while driving innovation in core areas such as Teaching & Learning, Curriculum, Assessment, Wellbeing (WAMHS), and the integration of Educational Technology and AI.

What You Will Do

Deliver Targeted Peer Support: Lead time-limited interventions in partner schools, focusing on teaching and learning, curriculum design, statutory/formative assessment, and the ethical application of AI and educational technologies.

Coach & Build Sustainable Capacity: Mentor and coach school leaders and staff to embed lasting improvements, establishing “buddy” systems and networks across Hackney schools to sustain progress.

Champion Inclusion & Equity: Embed anti-racist, equitable, and anti-oppressive practice into all improvement activities, prioritising outcomes for disadvantaged pupils and pupils with SEND.

Partner with Education Improvement Advisers: Collaborate closely with line-managing EIAs to set intervention goals, monitor progress, deliver formal reports, and evaluate value for money.

Lead Professional Learning: Design and deliver high-level professional development and bespoke training sessions for middle leaders and teaching staff.

Integrated SEND Collaboration: Work collaboratively as part of an integrated SEND team to effectively coordinate support for schools and ensure the highest standards of provision for all learners.

What We Are Looking For

Senior Leadership Experience: A proven track record of high-impact leadership (e.g., Headteacher, Deputy Head, or Senior Leader) within an “Outstanding” or rapidly improving school setting.

Subject Matter Expertise: Deep expertise in Teaching and Learning, Curriculum, or Assessment, along with practical knowledge of educational technology and AI integration.

Coaching & Diagnostic Ability: Exceptional skills in diagnosing school needs quickly, building trust, and coaching senior leaders in complex environments.

Commitment to Anti-Racism & Equality: Demonstrable commitment to dismantling systemic barriers, promoting inclusion, and celebrating diversity in alignment with Hackney’s Anti-Racism Practice Standards.

Qualifications: Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), a degree (or equivalent), and post-graduate qualifications.

Why Join Hackney?

Systemic Impact: Play a pivotal role at the center of a collaborative school system, making a tangible difference for children and young people across London.

Collaborative Leadership: Work in close partnership with line-managing Education Improvement Advisers and a connected network of visionary educational leaders.

Professional Growth: Expand your system leadership reach, contribute to pioneering programmes (such as WAMHS and AI integration), and shape the future of school improvement.

Community: Join a team that deeply values innovation, equity, anti-racism, and the continued success of one of London’s most dynamic education authorities.

The role requires an Enhanced DBS check

As a Council, our most outstanding asset is our staff, who are highly dedicated to serving our residents and committed to our goals as an organisation.

If you want to work in a place where you can represent our values so we achieve the best for our residents, please click on the apply button below.

We operate a fair and open anonymous selection process. Therefore, we do not accept supporting statements or CV’s.

To proceed with your application, you will need to create an account and submit your application.

As part of the application process, you will need to complete a number of competency based questions. These questions allow you to demonstrate your suitability for the role and provide examples of your skills, knowledge and experience outlined in the job description.

We understand the benefits of using AI in the workplace. However, if you are thinking of using this tool to submit your application, we ask you to think about what value it will add. AI tools tend to lack the personal touch and authenticity we value in candidates. We encourage you to showcase your unique knowledge and skills using your own voice.

This application process replaces a supporting statement.

Closing date for applications: 08 November 2026 (22:59)

Interview date: 24 November 2026 2026

Please note – we reserve the right to close applications early if we receive a high number of applications.

We are also working towards our vision, which is to be a place for everyone; where residents and staff can be proud. In order to achieve this, we are seeking individuals who embody our “PROUD” values: Purpose and Respect, where we foster belonging through active inclusion, kindness, and open dialogue; Ownership, where we champion proactive collaboration and accountability for our shared success; and Unity and Diversity, where we work as one Council to break down silos and champion anti-racist behavior.

Hackney Council works to eradicate discrimination on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. We also recognise that people can be disadvantaged by their social and economic circumstances, so we will also work to eliminate discrimination and disadvantage caused by social class. We also welcome those interested in flexible working. We particularly welcome applications from disabled people, as this group is currently under represented in our workforce.

The Council has a dedicated employment support service (Hackney Works), which offers Hackney residents guidance in relation to applying for jobs. If you are thinking about applying for a job, please contact the Hackney Works team to find out what support is available: hackneyworks@hackney.gov.uk