Members of the Departmental primary and secondary headteacher reference groups are leading headteachers from a wide range of primary and secondary schools, including academies, maintained and special schools across England. 

Members provide candid views about policy implications for schools, early warning of potential issues and advice on how policies can be improved. They observe the Chatham House rule to ensure frank and open discussion, and have two main objectives to:

  • act as a sounding board for policy colleagues to test their policies with, bringing practitioner voice and expertise into the Department; and
  • offer advice on long-term strategic policy development.

Members of both groups are selected from across the country to represent a wide range of schools. We are seeking to appoint new members from May 2013 and would welcome applications from primary and secondary headteachers in England of:

  • inner-city and rural schools;
  • academies, Free Schools (including university technical colleges and studio schools), maintained schools (including special schools), sixth-form colleges, pupil referral units, non-maintained special schools.

Time commitment

Membership of the groups is limited to five years initially. Members are expected to attend four meetings per year at the Department’s headquarters in London, for which preparation time will be required. Members who miss three or more meetings during the school year (excluding exceptional circumstances – for example, Ofsted inspection) will be asked to step down.

In addition to attending meetings, members will be expected to provide high quality and relevant contributions to policy development in the Department by responding to commissions via email or participating in workshops or focus groups.

Member profile

You should either be a serving headteacher of a good or outstanding school or have led one within the last three years.

Members of both groups will be expected to:

  • work constructively, making points in an appropriate manner, listening to the views of others, ensuring everyone gets the opportunity to speak, and accepting compromise to reach agreement on the issues;
  • be open-minded and consider the whole picture, not seeking to promote sectional interests;
  • be able and willing to do follow-up work or contribute to some developments between meetings when appropriate;
  • influence and impact on the rest of the system, especially through other school leaders, (while retaining independence from the Department);
  • act as a channel of communication between schools, the department and other agencies, including local authorities, to convey issues pertinent to school policies (where appropriate); and
  • pass on the views of community partners, including post-16 colleagues, business and industry partners and inform and respond to the work of other relevant stakeholder groups and panels.

Good communication and influencing skills are essential, along with the enthusiasm and passion to make a difference.

This is an excellent opportunity to make a lasting contribution to the quality of education in England, to increase the effectiveness of new and existing initiatives, and to improve the job satisfaction and morale of those working in our schools.

Please note that group members are volunteers, however travel costs will be reimbursed after each meeting. 

How to apply

If you would like to apply to join either group, please upload a current CV and complete the application form which includes a statement of interest (maximum of 700 words), including the following:

  • the reason(s) you think you are suitable to be a member against the profile above;
  • any particular area of interest or expertise you could bring to the group;
  • any links you have with other schools or organisations within your geographical area; and
  • information about any other groups or education forums you belong to (both within or outside the Department and its executive agencies). 

What happens next?

If your application is successful you will be invited to an interview which is likely to take place between Monday 25 March and Friday 19 April 2013. Members will be appointed on merit and will be invited to attend meetings of the groups from May 2013.

Contact details

Headteacher reference group
Email: SchoolIntelligence.mailbox@education.gsi.gov.uk