Strategic Education Partnership Officer

We have a fantastic opportunity available for a Strategic Education Partnership Officer to join our proactive Children’s Services team here at Wokingham Borough Council on a permanent, part time basis (0.8 FTE, 29.6 hours per week).

As the Strategic Education Partnership Officer, you will play a key role in developing and maintaining strong relationships with senior leaders within schools and other stakeholders. Your work will be pivotal in driving local priorities for providing the highest standards of education in Wokingham schools, working as part of an education partnership team.

You will contribute to local authority core responsibilities and local traded offer for schools by providing expertise in area(s) of school leadership, education provision or teaching and learning.

In this role you will promote and safeguard the welfare and achievement of children who live or access services in, or who are looked after by Wokingham Borough Council.

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced individual who can help drive forward our educational priorities through effective partnerships and strategic planning.

Benefits:

Not only is this an excellent opportunity, but it’s a fantastic time to join our team. You will receive an extensive range of employee benefits including:

• A generous annual leave entitlement of 30 days (rising to 35 days after 5 years continued local government service), plus Bank Holidays (Pro Rata)
• An excellent local government pension scheme
• An employee assistance programme including 24/7 wellbeing helpline
• A range of local & lifestyle discounts
• Use of a free onsite gym (located at Shute End office)
• Salary sacrifice car & cycle to work schemes
• And much more!

Key responsibilities:

• To contribute to the partnership working across the education landscape in the local system inside and beyond the council and across stakeholders
• To take on as required the role of the link officer for designated schools in following up complaints or in dealing with critical incidents, following established service policy and procedures and providing appropriate reports to the Children Services leadership team and other relevant officers in the council
• To contribute towards service monitoring of school performance, ensuring that any concerns with designated schools in terms of pupil outcomes or provision are reported at an early stage to the Head of Education Partnerships
• To take responsibility for leading specified partnership priorities as required by the Head of Education and Partnerships and Team Leader and acting as advocate for the most vulnerable in the borough

Candidate requirements:

• Substantial and successful experience as an education leader, with clear experience and evidence of raising standards as a senior leader or head teacher in a school
• Successful experience of working as a Local Authority officer and/or working across school partnerships to develop school improvement programmes and raise standards
• Good experience of monitoring and evaluating school outcomes, and school improvement planning
• Good interpersonal skills, with the ability to motivate others, work as part of a team and support the development of sustainable partnerships

Our Area

Wokingham Borough is set in the heart of Berkshire with excellent transport links to Reading and central London. Our area comprises of a vibrant and historical market town, attractive villages, and miles of beautiful countryside.

We’re home to a range of high performing schools including 69 primary and 21 secondary schools, a host of international businesses and an incredible community. We have a strong local economy with accelerated growth, a range of excellent public facilities and low levels of crime, offering an exceptional quality of life.

Click the link below and apply today. Alternatively, if you would like to have an informal discussion about the role, please e-mail Gillian Cole, Head of Education and Partnership - gillian.cole@wokingham.gov.uk

Closing date: 16th March 2025, 11pm

Interviews: W/C 24th March 2025

Please be aware that we will be reviewing the applications we receive on a daily basis, and we reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified.

If your application is shortlisted for an interview, you will be required to provide proof of your right to work in the UK at that stage. Additionally, successful candidates must present proof upon receiving a job offer.

Please note that all offers are conditional and subject to the satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.

Wokingham Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, other workers and volunteers to share this commitment.All successful candidates for this role will be subject to Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks along with other relevant employment checks.

Wokingham is an equal opportunities employer.