Appointment details

OFFICE OF THE SCHOOLS ADJUDICATOR (OSA) – Chief Schools Adjudicator

Summary

• Organisation: Chief Schools Adjudicator and Adjudicators - Office of the Schools Adjudicator
• Sponsor department: Department for Education
• Location: Various
• Sectors: Education
• Skills: Judicial, Regulation, Education
• Number of vacancies: 1
• Time commitment: Adhoc
• Length of term: The appointment will be for a period of three years with the first year served as a probationary year.
• Application deadline: Midday on 4 July 2025

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Timeline for this appointment

1. Opening date

   9 June 2025

2. Application deadline

   Midday on 4 July 2025

3. Sifting date

   14 July 2025

4. Interviews expected to end on

   12 September 2025

Timeline dates are only an estimate and can change

About the appointment

Appointment description

The role of the Chief Schools Adjudicator is a challenging and rewarding one. The Chief Adjudicator is responsible for reviewing and quality assuring all adjudicator determinations which 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. It is essential for the Chief Schools Adjudicator to have credibility and to command confidence, respect and trust across the whole education community, derived from their experience and knowledge, independence, integrity and impartiality.

The successful applicant will ideally have a range of experience of the publicly funded school or education system in England at a senior level. Desirable experience includes 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 or legal adviser, as well as leadership and work in education, or education law, beyond work in a single school. They will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the school system and the laws which govern this.  It would be desirable for the successful applicant to have experience of the OSA’s work or a good understanding of determinations and education law, including the School Admissions Code.  They will also understand the key principles of administrative law.

Organisation description

About Office of the Schools Adjudicator (OSA)

Schools Adjudicators are appointed by the Secretary of State for Education to make decisions about a range of matters relating to publicly funded schools in England. They are statutory office holders appointed under section 25 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998.

The largest part of the workload of Schools Adjudicators concerns ruling on objections to, and referrals about, determined school admission arrangements of state funded schools; this involves establishing whether or not arrangements conform with the requirements relating to admissions set out in the School Admissions Code and the law relating to admissions and if they do not conform, in what respect they do not conform.

Person specification

Essential criteria

The application requires you to:

• Attach a CV

• Attach a Personal Statement no longer than 1000 words, demonstrating how you meet each of the four criteria outlined below.

• Please make clear throughout your supporting statement which essential criteria you are referring to and give examples of how you meet these criteria;

NB. Except for candidates who are currently serving Schools Adjudicators , applicants who make it past the initial sift will be asked to complete the attached Adjudicator Skills Assessment Task. Applicants who pass the initial sift will have 2 weeks to complete and return the assessment task from the point they are informed of sift outcomes.

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

o Leadership and Organisational Management: The Chief Adjudicator must demonstrate exceptional leadership skills and be capable of guiding the OSA in fulfilling its statutory functions. They will have a proven track record of leading and managing teams as well as fostering a culture of continuous improvement. They will have experience of supporting the professional development of their team members through training and guidance and be responsible for the performance management of their fellow Adjudicators. They will be able to embed changes to ways of working, promote efficient use of resources, and support flexible working arrangements where appropriate. They will be capable of providing calm and considered advice and leadership to their team and wider partners on any emerging issues or concerns.

o Analytical and decision-making ability: The 

 Chief Adjudicator is required to review and make decisions taking account of competing arguments and within a complex legal framework. They must have experience of analysing difficult casework and assessing technical statutory provisions. They must be able to keep an objective perspective, be able to weigh competing arguments and be recognised for their impartial approach and judgement. The highest professional standards are required.

o Communication skills: 

The Chief Adjudicator is the public face of the OSA.  They must possess exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal. The successful applicant will demonstrate first-hand experience of articulating complex issues clearly and persuasively to a wide range of audiences. This includes producing clear, well-argued, and robust reports and papers setting our competing arguments and clear decision making, which can be understood by a wide range of interested parties. The successful candidate will have experience of chairing public meetings and of public speaking and be able to demonstrate experience and ability in conveying information effectively and engaging with a diverse range of stakeholders. Strong inclusion skills and the ability to understand and address concerns while maintaining independence and impartiality are essential.

o Credibility with the Education Sector: 

The Chief Adjudicator must be able to establish and maintain credibility within the wider education system. The successful candidate will therefore have a proven track record of senior leadership in the education sector, or be able to show other evidence that their professional background could command credibility within this sector. They will demonstrate the ability to assert authority, build rapport, and command respect and trust from education professionals and the general public alike. The candidate must exhibit a deep understanding of the school system and the laws governing it, ensuring their decisions are respected and upheld. Independence, integrity, and impartiality are crucial to instilling confidence in their role.

Desirable criteria

o Experience of the OSA’s work or a good understanding of determinations and education law, including the School Admissions Code.  They will also understand the key principles of administrative law.

o 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 or legal adviser, as well as leadership and work in education, or education law, beyond work in a single school.

Application and selection process

How to apply

In order to apply you will need to create an account or sign in.

Once you are logged into your account, click on 'apply for this role' and follow the on-screen instructions. To apply, all candidates are required to provide:

• a Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• attach a personal statement no longer than 1000 words, demonstrating how you meet each of the four criteria outlined in the essential criteria
• information relating to any outside interests or reputational issues
• equality information
• a short professional biography (150 words)

We will ask you to check and confirm your personal details to ensure your application is accurate.

You will also have the opportunity to make a reasonable adjustment request or apply under the disability confident scheme before you submit your application.

The Advisory Assessment Panel reserves the right to only consider applications that contain all of the elements listed above, and that arrive before the published deadline for applications.

Overview of the application process

1. The panel will assess applications against the eligibility criteria and decide which candidates have best met the criteria.

2. Successful candidates from the shifting stage will be asked to carry out an Adjudicator Skills Assessment Task. They will have 2 weeks to complete and return the assessment task from the point they are informed of sift outcomes.

3. Those candidates who reach the required standard will be shortlisted to be invited to interview.

4. The panel will meet again to interview candidates and determine who is appointable to the role. The Panel will question you about your skills and experience, including asking specific questions to assess whether you meet the criteria set out for the post. The Panel will also explore with you any potential conflicts of interest or any other issues arising from your personal and professional history which may impact on an appointment decision.

5. Details of the panel’s assessment of interviewed candidates are provided to Ministers, including whether they have judged a candidate to be appointable to the role. It is then for Ministers to determine merit and decide who should be appointed. In some circumstances, Ministers may choose not to appoint any candidates and re-run the competition.

6. Once the decision on the appointment has been made, interviewed candidates will be advised of the outcome of their application, including whom they may approach for feedback. Successful candidates will be issued with their Terms & Conditions and a letter of appointment should they agree to take up the position. 

Advisory Assessment Panel (AAP)

Matt Collins - Departmental Official - Admissions, School Organisation and Transport

Tim Brooke/ Marisa Valelly - Representative of the Board - Interim Chief Adjudicator (job share)

Eligibility criteria

In general, you should have the right to work in the UK to be eligible to apply for a public appointment.

There are a small number of specialist roles that are not open to non-British citizens. Any nationality requirements will be specified in the vacancy details.

The Government expects all holders of public office to work to the highest personal and professional standards. 

You cannot be considered for a public appointment if:

• you are disqualified from acting as a company director  (under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986);

• have an unspent conviction on your criminal record;

• your estate has been sequestrated in Scotland or you enter into a debt arrangement programme under Part 1 of the Debt Arrangement and Attachment (Scotland) Act 2002 (asp 17) as the debtor or have, under Scots law, granted a trust deed for creditors.

When you apply, you should declare if:

• you are, or have been, bankrupt or you have made an arrangement with a creditor at any point, including the dates of this. 

• you are subject to a current police investigation.

You must inform the sponsor department if, during the application process, your circumstances change in respect of any of the above points. 

When you apply you should also declare any relevant interests, highlighting any that you think may call into question your ability to properly discharge the responsibilities of the role you are applying for. You should also declare any other matters which may mean you may not be able to meet the requirements of the Code of Conduct of Board Members (see Outside interests and reputational issues section below)

If you need further advice, please contact  ashleigh.honour@education.gov.uk

Additional information for candidates

Equality and diversity

We encourage applications from talented individuals from all backgrounds and across the whole of the United Kingdom. Boards of public bodies are most effective when they reflect the diversity of views of the society they serve.

We collect data about applicants’ characteristics and backgrounds, including information about people’s educational and professional backgrounds, so that we can make sure we are attracting a broad range of people to these roles and that our selection processes are fair for everyone. Without this information, it makes it difficult to see if our outreach is working, if the application process is having an unfair impact on certain groups and whether changes are making a positive difference.

When you submit your application, your responses are collected by the Cabinet Office and the government department(s) managing your application. The data is used to produce management information about the diversity of applicants. You can select “prefer not to say” to any question you do not wish to answer. The information you provide will not be seen by the Advisory Assessment Panel who review applications against the advertised criteria and conduct interviews.

Disability confident

We are a member of the Government’s Disability Confident scheme. We use the Disability Confident scheme symbol, along with other like-minded employers, to show our commitment to good practice in employing people with a disability. The scheme helps recruit and retain disabled people. As part of implementing the scheme, we guarantee an interview for anyone with a disability whose application meets the essential criteria for the role, set out in the advert, and who has asked that their application is considered under the scheme. Indicating that you wish your application to be considered under the scheme will in no way prejudice your application. By ‘essential criteria', we mean that you must provide evidence which demonstrates that you meet the level of competence required under each of the essential criteria, as set out in the job-advert. When you apply you will have the opportunity to select if you would like your application considered under this scheme.

Reasonable adjustments

We are committed to making reasonable adjustments to make sure applicants with disabilities, physical or mental health conditions, or other needs are not substantially disadvantaged when applying for public appointments. This can include changing the recruitment process to enable people who wish to apply to do so.

Some examples of common changes are:

• ensuring that application forms are available in different or accessible formats;
• making adaptations to interview locations;
• allowing candidates to present their skills and experience in a different way;
• giving additional detailed information on the selection / interview process in advance to allow candidates time to prepare themselves;
• allowing support workers, for example sign language interpreters;
• making provision for support animals to attend.

When you apply you will have the opportunity to request reasonable adjustments to the application process.

Principles of public life

The Seven Principles of Public Life (also known as the Nolan Principles) apply to anyone who works as a public office-holder.

1. Selflessness

Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest.

2. Integrity

Holders of public office must avoid placing themselves under any obligation to people or organisations that might try inappropriately to influence them in their work. They should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends. They must declare and resolve any interests and relationships.

3. Objectivity

Holders of public office must act and take decisions impartially, fairly and on merit, using the best evidence and without discrimination or bias.

4. Accountability

Holders of public office are accountable to the public for their decisions and actions and must submit themselves to the scrutiny necessary to ensure this.

5. Openness

Holders of public office should act and take decisions in an open and transparent manner. Information should not be withheld from the public unless there are clear and lawful reasons for so doing.

6. Honesty

Holders of public office should be truthful.

7. Leadership

Holders of public office should exhibit these principles in their own behaviour and treat others with respect. They should actively promote and robustly support the principles and challenge poor behaviour wherever it occurs.

Code of conduct for board members

The Government expects all holders of public office to work to the highest personal and professional standards. In support of this, all non-executive board members of UK public bodies must abide by the principles set out in the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies. The Code sets out the standards expected from those who serve on the boards of UK public bodies and will form part of your terms and conditions of appointment.

Management of outside interests and consideration of reputational issues

Holders of public office are expected to adhere and uphold the Seven Principles of Public Life and the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies. Before you apply you should consider carefully: 

• any outside interests that you may have, such as shares you may hold in a company providing services to government; 
• any possible reputational issues arising from your past actions or public statements that you have made; 
• and/or - any political roles you hold or political campaigns you have supported; 

which may call into question your ability to do the role you are applying for.

You will need to answer relevant questions in relation to these points when making an application. Many conflicts of interest can be satisfactorily resolved and declaring a potential conflict does not prevent you from being interviewed. If you are shortlisted for an interview, the panel will discuss any potential conflicts with you during that interview, including any proposals you may have to mitigate them and record that in their advice to ministers. Alongside your own declaration, we will conduct appropriate checks, as part of which we will consider anything in the public domain related to your conduct or professional capacity. This may include searches of previous public statements and social media, blogs or any other publicly available information. The successful candidate(s) may be required to give up any conflicting interests and their other business and financial interests may be published in line with organisational policies. 

Details of declared political activity will be published when the appointment is announced, as required by the Governance Code (political activity is not a bar to appointment, but must be declared).

Status of appointment

As this is an office holder appointment, you will not become a member of the Civil Service. You will not be subject to the provisions of employment law.

Appointment and tenure of office

Appointments are for the term set out in this advert, with the possibility of re-appointment for a further term, at the discretion of Ministers. There is no automatic presumption of reappointment; each case should be considered on its own merits, taking into account a number of factors including, but not restricted to, the diversity of the current cohort and its balance of skills and experience.

Remuneration, allowances and abatement

Remuneration for this role is treated as employment income and will be subject to tax and National Insurance contributions, both of which will be deducted at source under PAYE before you are paid. 

You can claim reimbursement for reasonable travel and subsistence costs which are properly and necessarily incurred on official business, in line with the travel and subsistence policy and rates for the organisation to which you are applying. However these payments are taxable as earnings and will be subject to tax and national insurance, both of which will be deducted at source under PAYE before you are paid.

Pension and redundancy

This is an office holder appointment and does not attract any benefits under any Civil Service Pension Scheme however appointees will have access to the NEST pension scheme. You will not be eligible for redundancy pay as you are not an employee. No other arrangements have been made for compensation upon the end of your term of appointment because an office holder who is appointed for a limited duration would have no expectation of serving beyond that period.

Application feedback

We will notify you of the status of your application. We regret that we are only able to offer detailed feedback to candidates who have been unsuccessful at the interview stage.

How to complain

We aim to process all applications as quickly as possible and to treat all applicants with courtesy.

Please contact Jonathan Bath in the first instance if you would like to make a complaint regarding your application, by emailing jonathan.bath@education.gov.uk. They will acknowledge your complaint upon receipt and respond within 15 working days.

Data protection

The Cabinet Office will use your data in line with our privacy policy.

Personal data collected as part of this exercise will be processed in accordance with the Department for Education Privacy Notice. You can access the privacy notice here.

Contact details

Contact 

Ashleigh Honour - ashleigh.honour@education.gov.uk

Additional information

The post of Chief Schools Adjudicator is part-time. However, as the leader of the OSA a minimum level of availability is required. The Chief Schools Adjudicator must be available for a minimum of 120 days service between 1 April and 31 March each year, of which at least 60 days must be between 15 May and 30 September. Candidates should expect to be able to provide between 21 to 28 hours service per week, but it is open to the Chief Schools Adjudicator to structure the management of their workload, and to decide which days they choose to work and the number of hours they work each day.

Remuneration is at an hourly rate of £63 per hour for work from home increased by 12.07% to take account of ‘holiday pay’. For any work conducted away from home a day rate of £750 is paid, increased by 12.07% to take account of ‘holiday pay’. The appointee will have access to the NEST pension scheme, if desired, with employer and employee contributions. Travel and subsistence expenses will be met.