Job summary
- Main area
- Paediatrics
- Grade
- Head of School (HoS)
- Contract
- Secondment: 3 years (until 30/08/2029)
- Hours
- Part time
- Job share
- Flexible working
- Job ref
- 990-SE-EC4324-E
- Employer
- NHS England
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Premier House
- Town
- Reading
- Salary
- In line with HoS sessional payments
- Closing
- 26/08/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Head of School for Paediatrics
Head of School (HoS)
Our Organisation
We share the core values set out in the NHS Constitution, which all colleagues are expected to demonstrate.
We support you to work in a way that is best for the NHS, our patients and you and your colleagues. Talk to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement, whether that’s a job share, part time, hybrid working or another flexible pattern.
Job overview
An outstanding individual is sought to fulfil the role of Head of School in Paediatrics working across Thames Valley.
The post will be available on the basis of a secondment arrangement from their host institution to NHS England – 2 EMCs per week (8 hours), worked flexibly. The contract is is for 3 years in the first instance with the potential opportunity to extend for a further 3 years.
All work undertaken should be incorporated into the Consultant Job Plan. The role of Head of School is to work with and support the Locality Dean in leading the delivery of a wide range of functions, aligned to the NHS England mandate.
The Head of School is professionally and managerially accountable to the Locality Dean. The Head of School will focus upon improvement of learner supervision, assessment and experience, engagement of faculty and ensuring effective educational outcomes, both now and in the future.
Main duties of the job
The ideal candidate will be an experienced clinician with a thorough understanding of education and training across the region. They will also have strong leadership and communication skills and be able to work effectively as a member of a multi-professional team.
Working for our organisation
Our work supports the NHS to deliver high quality services for patients and best value for taxpayers.
Our staff bring expertise across hundreds of specialisms — including clinical, operational, commissioning, technology, data science, cyber security, software engineering, education, and commercial — enabling us to design and deliver high-quality NHS services.
We lead the NHS in England by:
- Enabling local systems and providers to improve the health of their people and patients and reduce health inequalities
- Making the NHS a great place to work, where our people can make a difference and achieve their potential
- Working collaboratively to ensure our healthcare workforce has the right knowledge, skills, values and behaviours to deliver accessible, compassionate care
- Optimising the use of digital technology, research, and innovation
- Delivering value for money
Earlier this year, the Government announced that NHS England will gradually merge with the Department of Health and Social Care, leading to full integration. The aim is to create a smaller, more strategic centre that reduces duplication and eliminates waste.
If successful at interview, we will initiate an Inter Authority Transfer (IAT) via the Electronic Staff Record (ESR). This retrieves key data from your current or previous NHS employer to support onboarding, including competency status, Continuous Service Dates (CSD), and annual leave entitlement. You may opt out at any stage of the recruitment process.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The fixed level of funding contribution for this role is £24,000 per annum, as an Educational Management Contribution (EMC). Two EMCs have been allocated for this role. The number of EMCs indicatively equates to the number of PAs for job planning; however, the level of funding for EMCs is fixed and may not equate to your individual personal salary with your employer in relation to your planned activities.
Prior to applying, please ensure you have discussed this role with your local Director of Medical Education to ensure that this work functions as a secondment with time freed up in your job plan to fulfil expectations. The financial contribution to the Trust is then to backfill any clinical time.
The Trust Director of Medical Education will be asked to provide a reference in support of your application.
You can find further details about the job, organisational structure, recruitment profile, expected outcomes and benefits information in the attached Job Description and other supporting documents.
Secondments
Applicants from within the NHS will be offered on a secondment basis only, agreement should be obtained from their employer prior to submitting the application.
Person specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential criteria
- Primary clinical healthcare qualification
- Employed as a Consultant with a NHS (or equivalent) provider in the South West
- Attendance at courses aimed to support educational development (example: educator courses, Train the trainer, etc)
Experience and Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Considerable experience of working with learners or doctors in training in an educational context
- Demonstrable track record of delivery in service and education
- Experience of clinical and educational leadership and innovation, including managing a multi-professional team
Skills and Abilities
Essential criteria
- Demonstrable leadership skills and an ability to influence and motivate others
- Strong interpersonal, communication, written and presentation skills
- A strong sense of vision and ability to innovate
Behaviours and Values
Essential criteria
- A transformation leadership style
- Ability to make decisions autonomously when required on difficult issues
- Perform all duties in a manner that supports and promotes NHSE commitment to equal opportunities
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Rebecca Black
- Job title
- Locality Dean for Thames Valley
- Email address
- [email protected]
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