HMI, Schools – Subject Lead

Candidate information pack

November 2019
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Contents
Welcome message from Amanda Spielman,
Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector 3

Job specification 5

Safer recruitment statement 15

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Welcome
A message from Amanda Spielman,
Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector
Thank you for your interest in working for Ofsted as one of Her
Majesty’s Inspectors of Schools with a subject specialist lead.

Joining as the new framework beds in

This is an exciting time to join us, as we have just begun to inspect schools under our new
education inspection framework.

Our goal is very simple: to be a force for improvement through our inspections.
We want to give parents the information and assurance they need, we want to support
schools to excel, and above all we want all pupils to get the education they deserve.

I am confident that the new framework will help us achieve this. It puts the real substance
of education, the curriculum, back into inspection. What is a curriculum apart from its
subjects? To inspect the curriculum means to consider the quality of education a school
provides in each subject. Our new framework emphasises the importance of curriculum
choices and sequencing to ensure all pupils learn the knowledge they need to lead
fulfilling lives and play their part in society.

I also believe that this framework will help reduce the pressure in many schools to
generate and analyse masses of internal data, especially for inspection. Instead, leaders
and teachers can spend more of their time on the things that make the most difference to
children’s lives, which of course is why they entered the profession in the first place.

What you’ll do

As one of our Subject Leads, your knowledge and experience will help us be that force for
improvement.

As well as leading nationally for Ofsted on your subject, you will spend half of your time
attached to one of our eight regions inspecting:
▪ maintained schools and academies
▪ independent schools and
▪ initial teacher education.

It is a challenging and rewarding role. It carries with it great responsibility, but also offers
good variety and opportunities.
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What type of person are we looking for?

You will have a national profile and standing in the relevant subject education community
for example through subject association work, publishing or training.

You will have experienced success as a senior or middle leader in a school, MAT or other
education provider, with a strong record in education.
You will be able to use the inspection framework to build up evidence and come to clear
and reasoned judgements, but with care and humility.

But most importantly, you will share our limitless ambition for the outcomes of children
and young people.

What makes Ofsted special?

Everything we do here is in the interests of children and young people. We have high
expectations for everyone, regardless of background. Our aim is to raise standards and
improve lives.

And if you join us you’ll be in an organisation that cares about its workforce and their
development.

I am very proud that we are ranked as one of the top Civil Service departments for staff
engagement. We work together to make sure our roles are rewarding and challenging. We
will continue to improve ourselves, just as we expect those we inspect and regulate to
improve.

If you are excited by this opportunity and feel you have the knowledge, skills and
experience we are looking for, I hope that you will apply.

I can promise you that this is a rewarding role, that will stretch and develop you. And one
where your contribution will make a big difference to children’s lives.

Thank you.

Amanda Spielman
Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector
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Job specification
Her Majesty’s Inspector (HMI), Schools – Subject Lead
Grade: HMI
Section 1: Job description
Context

Ofsted is the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills. We
inspect and regulate services that care for children and young people, and services
providing education and skills for learners of all ages. Every week, we carry out
hundreds of inspections and regulatory visits throughout England and publish the
results online. We also report on standards across the country and are accountable
directly to Parliament. Ofsted’s inspections are independent and impartial.

Overall purpose

HMI Subject Leads will have a dual role, spending half of their time working in their
subject specialism and half inspecting across the breadth of schools settings.

As a Subject Lead, they will act as Ofsted’s highly credible expert in their subject,
leading a range of work that promotes knowledge and insight within the
organisation, the wider sector and across our range of external stakeholders.

They will also lead high impact inspection of education in a variety of settings,
gathering and analysing evidence through inspection to report objectively on
standards and effectiveness.

Key responsibilities

The key responsibilities of the role are outlined below. However, this is an overview
of the role and is not exhaustive. Ofsted reserves the right to assign other duties
commensurate with the HMI grade as required.

Subject lead

▪ Demonstrating and maintaining a deep, sector-leading expertise of curriculum

and advances in their specialist subject.

▪ Leading relevant areas in a programme of subject thematic reviews.

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▪ Training fellow HMI and contracted Ofsted Inspectors (OIs) from the same
subject-specific background to establish and maintain a high level of
inspection expertise in that subject.

▪ Developing an effective subject network of inspectors (HMI and OI) who can
lead the workforce in understanding the most effective approaches to
evaluating their subject in educational settings.

▪ Leading the design, development and delivery of subject training modules for
non-specialist inspectors in their subject.

▪ Aggregating and analysing information about their subject from inspections

across the country and providing insight into the state of the nation for that
subject. This includes subject and thematic reports, HMCI commentaries and
Annual Report, as required.

▪ Acting as a trusted, authoritative adviser to HMCI and the National Director,

Education and ‘expert witness’ to the Education Select Committee, all-party
parliamentary groups, subject associations and other appropriate bodies.

Broader inspection activity

▪ Undertaking the lead and team inspector roles on inspections of a variety of

education providers, including maintained schools, academies and initial teacher
education providers.

▪ Undertaking the lead and team inspector roles on inspections of non-association

independent schools, including independent schools for pupils with special
educational needs.

▪ Ensuring that all judgements are rooted in firm evidence and are defensible
against challenge; being a role model for Ofsted’s values, acting at all times in
the interest of pupils, not those of schools and providers, or self.

▪ Providing information and expertise, contributing to routine analysis of

inspection evidence and grade profiles, and assisting Senior HMI to consider the
issues presented.

▪ Monitoring schools causing concern, providing reports and updates to Senior

HMI, Regional Directors, National Director and HMCI as required.

▪ Undertaking the role of Link HMI for a group of OIs. Acting as a professional
mentor to these inspectors, monitoring the quality of their inspection practice
and contributing to their continuous professional development as part of a high-
quality inspection workforce.
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▪ Playing an active role in the development of regional and national networks for
HMI and OIs to ensure a regular and effective flow of information across and
between the national inspection workforce for schools.

▪ Reporting local concerns about individual schools, colleges and other providers,
escalating issues to Senior HMI and Regional Directors, signalling when
improvement is not rapid enough, ensuring that action is taken and suggesting
recommendations where governance is weak.

▪ Preparing and delivering best practice workshops and seminars to a range of

audiences on aspects of practice, leadership, management and governance for
authorities and providers, as agreed with the Regional Director.

▪ Providing specialist expertise to colleagues in other inspection remits.

▪ Participating in monitoring standards in subjects and aspects of the curriculum

from the Early Years Foundation Stage to 16-19 education.

▪ Leading or contributing to the development of projects.

▪ Contributing to national reviews or surveys.

▪ Undertaking quality assurance, report moderation responsibilities and complaint

investigations.

▪ Undertaking briefings for HMCI, the National Director, Regional Directors and
Ministers and contributing to the evaluation of government initiatives and
strategies.

▪ Contributing inspection-based advice to HMCI and to government; writing and

making contributions to reports, including HMCI’s Annual Report and
publications, regional reports and undertaking dissemination on a wide range of
education topics.

▪ For Early years, advising on decisions with respect to complex Compliance,

Investigation and Enforcement (CIE) cases, tribunals and enforcement activity.

▪ Representing Ofsted locally, regionally and nationally as required.

▪ Ensuring the safeguarding of children and students is paramount and at all

times leading by example. Demonstrating and embedding Ofsted’s core values
of putting children and students first, upholding our independence and
exhibiting accountability and transparency in all we do.

At all times, the post holder will be expected to demonstrate a positive commitment
to equality and diversity and operate in accordance with Ofsted’s policies and
procedures.
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Additional requirements of the role

The role is home-based and will require significant travel including overnight stays,
evening and occasional weekend working.

HMI are required to work flexibly to meet the needs of the business and the
availability of providers; this may include some evening or weekend work to support
improvement, for example to meet with providers, or contracted inspectors, in the
evening or during the weekend.

Ofsted has identified this role as one which will require an enhanced criminal record
check via the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). This role will bring you into direct
contact with children or vulnerable adults and give you access to material or sensitive
information about children or vulnerable adults.
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Section 2: Person specification

Essential/
Knowledge and experience Tested by
desirable

Qualifications

Degree level qualification or equivalent in a relevant subject. Application

Essential
form
Must hold a recognised teaching qualification which has
resulted in Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

Experience

A minimum of five years’ successful subject leadership

experience in education provision, at middle or senior levels,
with responsibility for people and resource management. Application
form/
Essential
A proven track record of achieving consistent improvement assessment/
in the education sector. interview

A national profile and standing in the relevant subject

education community e.g. through subject association
work, publishing or training.

Technical

Detailed knowledge of:

▪ the research and curricular and pedagogical debates

within the relevant subject education community and
ongoing awareness of developments within the
academic subject or professional practice the subject
derives from.
Application
▪ the research underpinning Ofsted’s Education
form/
Inspection Framework and the capacity to theorise Essential
assessment/
how these insights can be translated into subject
interview
specific guidance for inspectors.

A secure, deep and broad knowledge and understanding of

current education issues gained in a suitably wide range of
settings.

An awareness of the current changes taking place in

education and inspection and the ability to keep up to date
across a wide range of professional matters.
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Technical continued
Assessment/
Essential
An understanding of the key stakeholders in education, and interview
the operational and political context of each.

Ability
Application
Able to communicate effectively in writing, demonstrating Essential form/
clarity and influence. Expresses judgements precisely and assessment/
persuasively.

Behaviour – Leadership

Demonstrates a strong focus on improving outcomes for

children and learners at all times.

Inspires and motivates teams to be fully engaged in their

work and dedicated to their role.

Commands the authority and credibility to challenge

Assessment/
effectively and hold others to account. Essential
interview
Welcomes and responds to views and challenges from others,
despite any conflicting pressures to ignore or give in to them.

Stands by, promotes or defends own and team’s actions and

decisions where needed.

Promotes diversity, inclusion and equality of opportunity,

respecting difference.

Behaviour – Communicating and influencing

Communicates with clarity and honesty, building effective

partnerships and trust.

Explains complex issues in a way that is easy to understand

and is appropriate to the audience.
Assessment/
Essential
Delivers difficult messages with conviction, clarity and interview
sensitivity.

Remains open-minded and impartial in discussions, whilst

respecting the diverse interests and opinions of others.

Monitors the effectiveness of own communications, taking

action to improve where necessary.
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Behaviour – Making effective decisions

Clarifies own understanding, before making decisions.

Encourages both innovative suggestions and challenge from

others, to inform decision making.

Analyses and accurately interprets data from various sources

to support decisions and identify likely outcomes.
Assessment/
Essential
interview
Finds the best option by identifying positives, negatives, risks
and implications.

Presents reasonable conclusions from a wide range of

complex and sometimes incomplete evidence.

Makes decisions confidently, even when details are unclear or

if they prove to be unpopular.

Behaviour – Delivering at pace

Ensures everyone clearly understands and owns their roles,

responsibilities and business priorities.

Gives honest and motivating messages about priorities,

objectives, and expectations to get the best out of people.

Complies with legal and regulatory requirements. Assessment/

Essential
interview
Sets out and maintains clear processes and standards.

Manages competing priorities effectively and ensures the

delivery of timely quality outcomes.

Demonstrates resilience and independence, maintains own

levels of performance in challenging circumstances and
encourages others to do the same.
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Section 3: Terms and conditions

Job title: HMI Schools – Subject Lead
Grade: HMI
Vacancies: Nine. We are recruiting for one Subject Lead for each
of the following subject specialisms: Early Maths;
Early Reading; English; Geography; Mathematics;
Modern Foreign Languages; Music; Religious
Education; and Science.
Salary: £67,665 per annum, rising to £72,665 on successful
completion of probation. Performance related pay
and awards also available for outstanding
achievement.
Location: Home-based
Region: National
Basis: The Subject Lead role is fixed-term for two years
with the option for extension. If the Subject Lead
role is not extended, post holders may move into a
permanent HMI, Schools role.
Hours: Full-time
Travel requirements: Significant travel including overnight stays. HMI are
reimbursed for expenses incurred in the line of
business, in accordance with Ofsted's Business
Expenses Policy.

Allowances:
The post holder will receive an annual home-based working allowance.

In addition to this, inspectors may apply for a vehicle user allowance if they use their
personal vehicle as their primary mode of transport when travelling on Ofsted
business.

Please note:
Whilst this post is currently based at home, future changes may require the post
holder to be based at another location.

You must ensure that broadband of sufficient bandwidth is available in your existing
home, or any home you subsequently move to, in order to enable you to carry out all
your required duties from your home. You will be responsible for any installation
and/or equipment costs above the standard provision.
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This is a non-reserved post under the Civil Service Nationality Rules and is therefore
open to UK, British Commonwealth and European Economic Area (EEA) Nationals
and certain non-EEA members subject to immigration requirements. For the most up-
to-date information on the requirements of working in the UK, please go to the UK
Border Agency website:

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/working/.

Section 4: Benefits
Ofsted is committed to maintaining employee health and wellbeing, whether it is
physically, emotionally, financially or socially, and offers a range of benefits to
support employees in this. Such benefits include the option to join the Civil Service
Pension Scheme, professional and personal development opportunities, 32.5 annual
leave days per annum (plus eight days public holiday) and counselling and advisory
services for you and your family.
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Section 5: Application and selection

Application

Please visit https://resourcing.ofsted.gov.uk/ to submit an application using our

online form.

▪ Ofsted employees should refer to the vacancies section of the Intranet for
further information about how to apply.
▪ All other users should register as new users to apply or log in with their
existing details if they have already created an account.

If you require any support accessing or using the online application form, or you
have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Ofsted Resourcing
on 0300 013 1487 or by emailing inspectionrecruitment@ofsted.gov.uk.

The closing date for submission of applications is 11.55pm on Wednesday 20

November 2019 but earlier receipt would assist us. Late applications will not be
considered so please ensure they reach us by the closing date.

Selection
All applications will be considered by the selection panel. The panel will consider the
relevant qualifications, experience and skills demonstrated in the application form.
We will inform you whether or not you were successful at each stage.

The most suitable candidates will be invited to assessment and interview in Clive
House, London between 9 and 20 December. Exact dates are being determined.

Complaints
The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the
basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's
Recruitment Principles, which can be found at:

https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/recruitment/recruitment-
principles/

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment
Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, you should email Ofsted at
inspectionrecruitment@ofsted.gov.uk in the first instance.

If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from Ofsted, you can contact
the Civil Service Commission at:

https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/recruitment/civilservicerecruitmetc
omplaints/
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Safer recruitment
Our commitment
We put children and learners’ wellbeing at the heart of everything that we do and,
therefore, do all that we can to ensure those who work for us share our commitment.
This is reflected in our rigorous recruitment processes and pre-employment checks.

We select the best candidates through good, thorough recruitment practice, ensuring
equality of opportunity, and deterring, or rejecting, those who may not be suitable to work
for Ofsted.

All roles require the following

▪ Your identity must be confirmed by sight of original official documents such as a Birth
Certificate and photo identification such as a Passport.
▪ Original documents relating to all professional qualifications required to fulfil the post
must be supplied.
▪ Full employment and education history since leaving secondary education must be
provided. All gaps in employment and education history will be scrutinised by the
selection panel to ensure there are no causes for concern.
▪ We will request a minimum of two references covering at least the last three years.
The identity of all referees will be verified, and they will be asked to comment on your
suitability for the role you are applying for.
▪ We will consult any relevant records we hold which may provide additional information
on your suitability.
▪ We reserve the right to take account of your presence in both public and social media
in our selection decisions.
▪ We will ask you to provide details of any criminal history as appropriate. Guidance will
always be provided in your application to help you understand what you must declare
and when.
▪ Throughout selection, including at interview, the panel will probe your values and
motivation for working with Ofsted.

At all stages, information you provide us with will be treated in confidence and in full
accordance with legal requirements. For all roles which require a Disclosure and Barring
Service check, this will be clearly outlined in the job specification.

You do not have to consent to these checks. However, if consent is withheld or revoked at
any stage, we will be unable to proceed with your application.

All Ofsted employees are expected to understand their duties and responsibilities in
relation to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults. For those who are
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successful in joining Ofsted, this is continually assessed through probation and day-to-day
performance management.

You can find out more about Ofsted’s approach to safeguarding by reading our
Safeguarding Policy.