Independent Chair
| Posting date: | 01 April 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | Not specified |
| Additional salary information: | Modest remuneration will be available |
| Hours: | Part time |
| Closing date: | 12 April 2026 |
| Location: | Isle Of Wight, South East England |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | Isle of Wight Council |
| Job type: | Contract |
| Job reference: | 2026_1776 |
Summary
Isle of Wight seeks Independent Chair to lead new Island Education Forum
Government has recently published a key policy document (Every Child Achieving and Thriving) containing reforms to the schools and special educational needs and disability systems in England. The overarching aim of the reforms is to ensure that every child can achieve and thrive.
At the heart of the reforms is the importance of relationships and collaboration, with government being clear that local partnerships between schools, multi academy trusts, local authorities and health services are vital in creating an environment that helps set children up for life. As part of this, the reforms are explicit that local authorities, through their statutory duties, democratic mandate and geographic scale, are well placed to play a proactive leadership role in driving place-based convening and collaboration.
The Isle of Wight Council is therefore establishing an Island Education Forum to bring together representative stakeholders from across the Island’s system, to jointly agree how together we ensure that every Island child can achieve and thrive. This is in the context of the Island’s existing Education Strategy. The forum will be led by an Independent Chair, who will work closely with the Island’s statutory Director of Children’s Services.
Leaders with relevant experience who feel they could take on this role should send an expression of interest to Ashley Whittaker at ashley.whittaker@iow.gov.uk by the end of 12th April.
Modest remuneration will be available.
Government has recently published a key policy document (Every Child Achieving and Thriving) containing reforms to the schools and special educational needs and disability systems in England. The overarching aim of the reforms is to ensure that every child can achieve and thrive.
At the heart of the reforms is the importance of relationships and collaboration, with government being clear that local partnerships between schools, multi academy trusts, local authorities and health services are vital in creating an environment that helps set children up for life. As part of this, the reforms are explicit that local authorities, through their statutory duties, democratic mandate and geographic scale, are well placed to play a proactive leadership role in driving place-based convening and collaboration.
The Isle of Wight Council is therefore establishing an Island Education Forum to bring together representative stakeholders from across the Island’s system, to jointly agree how together we ensure that every Island child can achieve and thrive. This is in the context of the Island’s existing Education Strategy. The forum will be led by an Independent Chair, who will work closely with the Island’s statutory Director of Children’s Services.
Leaders with relevant experience who feel they could take on this role should send an expression of interest to Ashley Whittaker at ashley.whittaker@iow.gov.uk by the end of 12th April.
Modest remuneration will be available.
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