Fears when ministers choose councillors

The first group of leaders appointed to the government’s new school improvement teams will be chosen by ministers, it has emerged, sparking fears of more “boy jobs”.

The Department for Education launched a recruitment this month to secure the services of experienced recovery leaders to work as advisors on it regional improvement teams for standards and excellence (RISE).

The divisions, which will be staffed by civil servants, will start rolling out in January, calling for support for struggling schools from bodies such as trusts, councils and federations.

But it has now been confirmed that a “small number of advisers” will be approached directly by department officials for those teams from January – bypassing the application process.

Association of School and College Leaders General Secretary Pepe Di’Iasio said: “We are sure that those leading the recruitment process will recognize how important it is that all advisers have the knowledge and experience to provide the best help possible.

“Taking the time to conduct a fair and thorough recruitment process would seem to be the best way to ensure this.”

£600 gig per day

The DfE expects to second up to three full-time equivalent school leaders to each of the nine regional groups for around two days a week. They will be paid £600 a day for the pleasure.

Applications opened three weeks ago, with the announcement stating that those making the cut will be expected to be in the post between January and April 2025.

The department stressed this week that the “majority” would be recruited through “a fair and open competition”. However, the direct appointments “will ensure that our team of advisors has the right mix of specialisms to support all types of schools” and may start in January.

He’s still working on what the mix of counselors will be, but he’s started reaching out to potential recruits to gauge their interest.

A CEO of the multi-academy trust, who asked not to be named, described the move as “a missed opportunity… for the DfE to work transparently”.

“Instead of them being fully appointed through a robust system, special individuals were selected … without any clarity as to the criteria on which their selection was made.

“Is this a new approach or just more jobs for boys?”