The purpose of the posts is to provide transitional capacity to establish, expand and embed national support in the area of Curriculum design, progression and assessment as a critical priority for the Cabinet Secretary.

With Curriculum rollout well underway, it is vital that we learn from the system’s experience of curriculum, developing simpler, clearer, more effective tools and support to help schools raise expectations for learners through purpose-driven, process-oriented approaches.

The postholder will have an important role in shaping the work of the new Professional Learning body from its inception and it is expected that the postholder will pass over to the Professional Learning body potentially within 6 months of starting the post.

The postholder will provide Welsh Government and the Professional Learning Body with:

• Deep knowledge and understanding of curriculum design, progression and assessment/ literacy/ numeracy, supported by understanding of curriculum concepts including: purpose driven curricula; process-orientated progression and assessment approaches.
• Professional Expertise as a teaching practitioner/school leader/support, combining this with research/ evidence and policy considerations to develop national approaches
• Understanding and development of professional learning approaches coherent with national policy expectations – postholder should have experience with contributing to the development of professional learning / support.

Oversee the development and delivery of nationally available support in the Cabinet Secretary’s priority area of Curriculum design, progression and assessment. The postholder will support the development and delivery of national professional learning through a national support programme. The postholder will ensure this provides a range of support to assist schools and settings and where appropriate supporting partners. The postholder will need to work closely with both colleagues in the new Professional Learning body and policy leads in Welsh Government to ensure a coherent package of support. They will also work with suppliers and deliverers of professional learning to ensure coherent, high-quality support in line with national priorities and principles. Where appropriate, postholder will plan, lead and deliver specific elements of support themselves.

Support the establishment of Curriculum design, progression and assessment as key priorities within the new Professional Learning body. The postholder will have the opportunity to form and scope out the body’s approach to this priority, contributing to the establishment and early running of the body. The postholder will be responsible for ensuring close joint working between the Welsh Government Curriculum and Assessment team and the body and at the appropriate point, the transition of workstreams from Welsh Government to the body.

Establish close working relationships with local authorities and partnerships to co-ordinate coherent offers of support across the education sector and the cascading of national expectations to local networks. Postholder will co-ordinate national support, developing strong working relationships to ensure support is offered at the appropriate level. They will build close relationships with regional and local networks, brokering an agreed way of working between networks at different tiers.

Act as a source of expert advice to policy officials on the development of high-quality policy. While within Welsh Government, the postholder will provide input into the development and refinement of guidance and support and provide policy solutions to address these, developing detailed technical input. They will keep on top of and synthesise emerging expertise, research and evidence working with critical experts to develop support. They will also provide technical advice to policy leads to develop wider approach to grants, policy and procurement, being involved in these processes where appropriate. They will also provide expert advice to the Cabinet Secretary as required.

Offer expert input into on the future ongoing cycle of review and refinement of the Curriculum for Wales. The postholder will contribute to the planning and development of the ongoing cycle of review as well as providing input into the review itself and the refinement of guidance.

• review the application form.
• When presenting your evidence, you may find it useful to consider the expectations of the grade as set out in the Grade Description as well as the main responsibilities that are essential for the role.
• A reserve list may be held for this opportunity. Any candidate who is successful in being offered a reserve status, will remain on the reserve list for 12 months.
• In the case of more than one candidate scoring the same, the panel has agreed the following criteria will determine merit order:
  Technical criteria; Working together; Leadership; experience criteria
• For this recruitment a minimum score of 4 across all behaviours and experiences at application and interview
• At stage 2, there will be a presentation on Experience of curriculum design, working with purpose-driven process-oriented curriculum approaches. More information will be provided in advance of that stage.
• In the event of a large number of applications, an initial sift will be conducted against the lead assessment criterion: Experience of curriculum design, working with purpose-driven, process-oriented curriculum approaches. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.