Head of Early Years & School Effectiveness

Why this role matters

This is a unique opportunity to lead services that make a real difference – from early years through to school success. You’ll be at the heart of our mission to create an inclusive, high‑performing education system that supports every learner to thrive.

As a key member of our Education Senior Leadership Team, you will:

• Lead with purpose:
  Provide strategic leadership for Early Years Quality, Inclusion, SEND and Safeguarding, School Effectiveness, Virtual School, Governor Services, and specialist support services.
• Champion collaboration:
  Work across education, health, and social care to build strong partnerships and a joined‑up approach.
• Deliver impact:
  Drive Warwickshire’s Education Strategy 2024–2029, focusing on Best Start, SEND & Inclusion, Sufficiency & Admissions, and a Strong System.
• Innovate and improve:
  Use data‑driven insights and creative solutions to raise standards and close gaps.
• Manage resources wisely:
  Oversee significant budgets to ensure value for money and positive outcomes for children.

• Proven experience in education leadership, including early years and school improvement.
• Strong knowledge of SEND legislation, safeguarding, and statutory duties.
• Excellent financial management skills and the ability to influence at senior levels.
• A genuine commitment to inclusion and improving outcomes for all learners.

Warwickshire is ambitious for its children and young people. Our Education Strategy sets out a clear vision for a collaborative, inclusive, and high‑performing system. In this role, you’ll help shape that future – making a lasting difference for generations to come.

Find out more about our Education Strategy:
Warwickshire Education Strategy 2024–2029

For further details, please see:

Job Description and Person Specification

Candidate Pack

Warwickshire County Council is a place where everyone feels valued, included, safe, supported, and welcome. Our people are at the heart of this vision, could you be one of them!

At Warwickshire County Council we are committed to ensuring Warwickshire’s economy is vibrant and supported by the right jobs, training, skills and infrastructure. Our people vision for Warwickshire County Council is a great place to work where diverse and talented people are enabled to be their best.

Your future matters to us, we provide a generous pension scheme which includes an employer contribution rate of typically around 19 percent per month, to help support your financial security during retirement. The scheme also offers a valuable package of benefits for members and their dependants. To find out more please visit:
Warwickshire Pension Fund homepage – Warwickshire Pension Fund

The benefits we offer include agile working, a valuable part of the pay and reward package for employees working in local government, generous annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays and an additional day at Christmas, and access to Vivup benefits and discounts platform.

to view the benefits at Warwickshire County Council.

To discuss the role please contact Director of Education, Johnny Kyriacou via johnny

Should you require application forms in an alternative format / language or any adjustments to be made throughout the application process or upon appointment, please contact hran and we will make every effort to meet your specific requirements.

Warwickshire County Council is committed to equality of opportunity for all employees and is keen to address areas of under representation in its workforce. See more

6th January 2026

w/c 12th January 2026