Expression of Interest - National Leaders of Education (NLE) Recruitment - CF

The aim of the National Leader of Education (NLE) programme is to provide high-quality school improvement support to underperforming schools.

In 2020 the NLE advisory group made a series of recommendations about the future of the programme. These included selecting a new smaller, high-quality cadre of NLEs supported by a professional development offer. As a result, we will recruit a new cadre of NLEs for the 22/23 academic year. All current NLE accreditation will end at the end of the 21/22 academic year.

The new cadre of NLEs will be made up of headteachers with experience in turning around schools that can provide additional school improvement capacity.

Who Should Apply

We would encourage all eligible headteachers with a strong record of turning around schools to apply online to become an NLE.

To be eligible to apply, you must be named on an Ofsted report (since September 2005) as the headteacher of a school that:

• Has received an improved Ofsted rating from Requires Improvement to Outstanding OR Inadequate to Good/Outstanding AND been in post for at least a year before the inspection showing the improvement. (If you have left the school the inspection must be within 1 year of you leaving).

In addition, you must

• Have had no Ofsted inspections resulting in a decline to RI or Inadequate whilst in post (excluding during the first year) or within 3 years after leaving a school.

Exceptionally, where a potential candidate does not meet the eligibility criteria but can demonstrate a very strong record of school improvement at the expression of interest stage, they will be considered for progression to the full application stage.

The application process will be broken into 2 stages:

• Stage 1 - the expression of interest
• Stage 2 - if successful at stage 1 candidates will be invited to submit an online application containing experience and skills-based questions.

Expressions of interest open on 10 February and close on 6 March 2022.

The stage 2 online application will be available from mid-March and will close on 24 April 2022. You will be notified by 30 June 2022 if your application has been successful.

Leaders of trusts with sponsor status do not need to apply to become NLEs, as they will continue to have the opportunity to be matched and provide improvement support through the Trust and School Improvement Offer.

Successful applicants will be subject to a review after a period of three years.

Further Information on NLE programme can be found in the link provided below.

Additional information:

In order to express their interest and access relevant documents, the potential contractors must register on our Jaggaer E-procurement portal system.

Jaggaer Registration Link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-education/about/procurement#jaggaer-the-dfe-etendering-portal

REFERENCE: ssq_221 - Expression of Interest - National Leaders of Education (NLE) Recruitment

Disclaimers and conditions:

The Department retains the right to not procure and this early engagement event is not binding. Any communication made between DfE and any party in connection with this requirement, shall not be relied upon as constituting a contract, agreement or representation that any contract will necessarily be offered.

DfE reserves the right to change without notice any documents and communications, in whole or in part. Under no circumstances shall DfE incur any liability in respect of this supporting documentation and DfE will not reimburse any costs incurred by any parties in connection with their use of these communications nor in connection with participation at the Early Engagement event.

This early engagement event is suitable for suppliers that have knowledge, capacity and capability and track record to meet the requirements when the competition is published.