Job summary
An outstanding individual is sought to fulfil the role of Head of School for Anaesthetics in London.

The role of Head of School for Anaesthetics is to work with and support the NHS England Postgraduate Dean in leading the delivery of a wide range of functions, aligned to the NHS England (NHS E) mandate.

The Head of School is professionally and managerially accountable to the Postgraduate Dean. The Head of School will focus upon improvement of learner supervision, assessment and experience, engagement of faculty and ensuring effective educational outcomes, both now and in the future. The role is evolving and will also focus on whole workforce transformation and developing multi-professional links.

Main duties of the job
To support the Postgraduate Dean, Heads of Schools will work across the spectrum of health and where relevant, social care, within the context of a team, so that the provision of education reflects changing service models. The Head of School will:

• Provide effective clinical leadership, contributing to the strategic development
• Work closely with Postgraduate Deans and Deputy Head(s) of School to implement the NHS E Quality Framework to enable improvements in education and training quality
• Oversee School programme management and advise the Postgraduate Deans on specialty-specific matters and recruitment to training posts and programmes
• Support professional development of the educational faculty

About us
NHS England has a wide range of statutory functions, responsibilities and regulatory powers. These are focused on supporting the wider NHS to deliver high quality care, as well as doing those things that are best done once for the whole NHS.

Our staff bring expertise across clinical, operational, commissioning, technology, data science, cyber security, software engineering, education, and commercial specialisms -- enabling us to design and deliver high-quality NHS services.

In March 2025, the Government announced that NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care will increasingly merge functions, ultimately leading to NHS England being fully integrated into the department.

If you currently work within the NHS and if successful at interview, we will initiate an Inter Authority Transfer (IAT) via the Electronic Staff Record (ESR).This retrieves key data from your current or previous NHS employer to support onboarding, including competency status, Continuous Service Dates (CSD), and annual leave entitlement. You may opt out at any stage of the process.

Colleagues with a contractual office base are expected to spend, on average, at least 40% of their time working in our offices.

We cannot offer visa sponsorship for any vacancies.

Details
Date posted: 11 September 2026
Pay scheme: Hospital medical and dental staff
Grade: Consultant
Salary: Depending on experience
In line with HoS sessional payments
Contract: Secondment
Duration: 3 years
Working pattern: Part-time, Job share, Flexible working
Reference number: 990-LDN-EC4742-E
Job locations: 10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf, London, E14 4PU, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
You can find further details about the role, including key responsibilities and accountabilities, alongside the organisational structure and person specification in the attached Job Description and other supporting documents.

Secondments
Applicants from within the NHS will be offered on a secondment basis only, agreement should be obtained from their employer prior to submitting the application.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Membership/Fellowship of a College, Faculty, professional association and/or regulatory body
• Attendance at courses aimed to support educational development
• Primary clinical healthcare qualification

Desirable

• Educational qualification such as postgraduate certificate diploma or masters in medical education

Experience
Essential

• Considerable experience of working with learners or doctors in training in an educational context
• Experience of clinical and educational leadership and innovation, including managing a multi-professional team
• Understanding of developments involving the relevant Colleges/Faculties, professional bodies related NHS organisations and regulatory bodies

Desirable

• Previous or current appointment as a leader in healthcare education
• Awareness of funding streams for healthcare education
• Understanding of current health, social care and education policy

Skills
Essential

• Demonstrable leadership skills and an ability to influence and motivate others
• Ability to quickly establish personal and professional credibility with colleagues and other key Stakeholders
• Committed to own personal development and an ability to support others to develop and progress

Desirable

• Ability to rapidly establish academic credibility

Behaviours and Values
Essential

• A transformation leadership style
• Ability to make decisions autonomously when required on difficult issues

Desirable

• An academic interest in training and education across primary and secondary care

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details
Employer name: NHS England
Address: 10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf, London, E14 4PU, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.england.nhs.uk/about/working-for/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Senior Education Programme Manager, Mark Bellaera, mark.bellaera@nhs.net

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