Headteacher appointed as new DfE ‘school leader adviser’

A maintained school headteacher has been appointed as a ‘school leader adviser’ to education secretary Bridget Phillipson.

Andrew O’Neill, headteacher of All Saints Catholic College, in London, will take up the role on a 12-month secondment from Wednesday.

The Department for Education told Schools Week O’Neill will bring “frontline expertise directly into the heart of policy-making”.

“Exceptional school leaders drive high and rising education standards, and Andrew will provide crucial sector insights as we continue to deliver against our Plan for Change mission to break down barriers to opportunity and deliver excellence everywhere, for every child,” a government spokesperson said.

“This role will help us break the link between background and success by supporting underperforming groups – including white working-class children – and raising standards across all schools.”

O’Neill was appointed after an open recruitment process.

The DfE said he was the strongest candidate, pointing to a “proven track record of school leadership excellence, system-level insight and innovative approach”.

“He brings extensive experience across school improvement, special educational needs, data analysis and innovation.”

The civil servant role was advertised with a £125,000 salary.

The job advert states the “new” secondment offered a “unique opportunity for an experienced school leader to contribute directly to policy development and sector engagement”.

The former government had similar roles advisory roles, originally titled as a “teacher in residence”.

The job advert adds the new adviser will work closely with “civil servants and education leaders on key priority projects in areas such as raising standards and delivering RISE universal priorities, promoting best practice, and supporting schools to achieve excellence”.

They will help develop strategies to promote “high and rising standards and create a self-improving sector in key areas of policy” and “provide insights into effective engagement approaches for teachers, headteachers and school staff across the sector.”.

O’Neill will also be tasked with identifying the “key challenges schools face and contribute to solutions through peer review, networking, and mentoring”.

O’Neill was crowned secondary headteacher of the year at the 2022 Pearson teaching awards. He has also created an online school analytics platform called Lighthouse, set up a group to give maintained schools a policy voice and is a member of the Headteachers Roundtable group.

His school has also had national media attention over initiatives such as lie-ins for teachers and longer school days.

O’Neill has also spoken publicly in favour of Labour’s schools agenda, including the academy reforms.