Schools Adjudicator

The role of a schools adjudicator is a challenging and rewarding one. Their decisions are legally binding. They can be challenged only by judicial review and are expected to be legally and evidentially robust and coherently set out. The decisions adjudicators are called on to make matter to people and can attract local and national media interest. A schools adjudicator needs credibility and to command confidence across the whole education community, derived from experience and knowledge, independence, integrity and impartiality.

Successful applicants will have a range of experience of the publicly funded school system in England at a senior level. Experience must include work with or in individual schools, whether as a member of staff or in a role such as Chair of Governors or Chair of an academy trust, as well as leadership and work in education beyond single schools. They will command confidence, respect and trust from those they come into contact with professionally. They will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the school system and the laws which govern this.

Schools adjudicators make legally binding decisions on a range of school matters. Most frequently they deal with objections to, and referrals of, school admission arrangements. Adjudicators also make decisions and give advice in relation to securing places for children who need them; resolve disputes about school land and make decisions in certain circumstances about school organisation matters.

Successful applicants will have a proven track record at a senior level within the publicly funded school sector in England, be impartial and independent with keenly developed analytical, presentational and communication skills. In particular, they will demonstrate the ability to take full responsibility for producing clear and robust written determinations for each case they take.  Adjudicators must be able to understand and apply the relevant primary and secondary legislation which relates to their statutory functions.

Schools adjudicators are appointed by the Secretary of State for Education but as statutory office holders they act independently of the Department for Education.

The posts are part-time. A minimum level of availability is required, the majority of which would be between mid-May and the end of September. Adjudicators work mainly from home. They may hold virtual meetings with schools and others and may also make visits, as necessary, to schools. They are expected to take part in regular meetings with their fellow adjudicators most of which also are held virtually but some may be held in person in Darlington or London.  Remuneration is at a daily rate of £355 for work conducted away from home and an hourly rate of £58 for work at home. Appointees will have access to the NEST pension scheme. Travel and subsistence expenses will be met. The appointment will be for a period of three years with the first year served as a probationary year.

Successful applicants for all roles will demonstrate the following essential criteria:

o   Analytical and decision-making ability: Adjudicators are required to make decisions taking account of competing arguments and within an often complex legal framework. They must be able to keep an objective perspective and be recognised for their impartial approach and judgement.

o   Written communication skills: Successful applicants will show first-hand experience of producing papers which set out difficult/technical issues, competing arguments and the rationale for a final decision/recommendation in clear terms which can be understood by a wide range of interested parties. The ability to write clear, well-argued and robust determinations is of prime importance; the adjudicator has sole responsibility for the production of his or her determinations and must be able to communicate and present their decisions and reasoning compellingly to parents and schools and others in their written determinations which are legally binding documents.

o   Communication skills: As part of their work, adjudicators have to chair both small meetings of parties to cases and large public meetings. Successful applicants will be able to demonstrate experience and ability in building rapport with different audiences and establishing credibility with professionals and the general public alike. They will be able to demonstrate that they can understand and show understanding of concerns while remaining independent and impartial.  Adjudicators are expected to always be able to demonstrate strong inclusion skills in carrying out their role.

o   Ability to manage own work and time: Successful candidates will be able to demonstrate the ability to work effectively alone, deliver to tight timescales, and at the same time contribute to and be part of a wider adjudicator team.

Because of the particular skill sets and experience of those who are retiring, we are especially keen to receive applications from individuals who can demonstrate the skills and experience set out above and who have one or more of the following:

o   Knowledge and experience of the co-ordinated school admissions process, school place planning and school capital funding, gained by working in a local authority;

o   Experience as a leader of a large multi-academy trust or in the faith body for schools with a religious character;

o   Experience as an Ofsted inspector/member of HMI;