Graduate Communications & PR Officer The Thinking Schools Academy Trust

Portsmouth City Council; Portsmouth; On-site; GBP 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A local education authority in Portsmouth is looking for a Graduate Communications & PR Officer to create engaging content across platforms and support campaigns. The ideal candidate will have strong writing and editing skills, a proactive approach, and familiarity with Microsoft 365. This role offers a salary of £25,000 per annum, working 37 hours a week on a fixed-term contract, with a start date of January 12, 2026. We encourage applications from diverse backgrounds and promise a supportive work environment.

Qualifications

• A graduate or equivalent experience.
• Ability to turn complex topics into accessible language.
• Confident with Microsoft 365 and quick to learn CMS/analytics.

Responsibilities

• Create content for various platforms.
• Support campaigns and engage communities.
• Draft media notes and coordinate with PR partner.

Skills

Strong writing/editing skills

Organisational skills

Proactivity

Familiarity with Microsoft 365

Basic design skills

Education

Graduate (any relevant discipline)

Tools

Microsoft 365

Adobe/Canva or similar

Job description

Graduate Communications & PR Officer

Salary: 25,000 per annum

Hours: 37 hours per week

Start date: 12th January 2026

Contract: Fixed Term Contract

Closing Date: 16/11/2025

Interview Date: 03/12/2025

To apply please refer to The Thinking Schools Academy Trust website: Graduate Communications & PR Officer in Devon Medway or Portsmouth Trust Office - TSAT

What you'll do

• Create content for websites, social, email and press – clear plain‑English stories for families, staff and partners.
• Support campaigns mapped to the Trust calendar; help plan timelines, assets and delivery.
• Optimise for discovery using SEO fundamentals; learn CMS and analytics to improve reach and performance.
• Engage communities: schedule posts, track comments/queries and capture insight from surveys/analytics.
• Reputation & PR: draft media notes, identify story angles and coordinate with our PR partner.
• Crisis comms (supported): help gather facts, prepare lines and manage approvals.
• Income generation (supported): contribute to proposals, bids and sponsorship approaches.
• Upskill others: assist with simple toolkits and how‑to guides for school teams.
• Tools: Microsoft 365; basic asset creation in Adobe / Canva (or similar).

How you'll work (the Thinking Creative way)

• Trusted: accurate, on‑brand, compliant.
• Solution‑focused: practical ideas, clear plans, measurable outcomes.
• Approachable: open doors, feedback welcomed; relationships first.
• Timely: right message, right moment, right channel.

About you

• A graduate (any relevant discipline welcome) or equivalent experience.
• Strong writer / editor who can turn complex or sensitive topics into accessible language.
• Organised, curious and proactive; comfortable juggling tasks and deadlines.
• Confident with Microsoft 365; quick to learn CMS / analytics; basic design skills a plus.
• Committed to confidentiality, safeguarding and Academy policies; you design communications that are respectful, representative and accessible to all (EDI aligned).

About Us

Thinking Solutions for Education is a not-for-profit organisation. We share our expertise and reinvest any surplus directly back into schools – raising standards, strengthening capacity and improving outcomes for young people.

Thinking Creative is our in‑house sector‑leading brand marketing and communications team working exclusively within the education sector. Through our strong networks and partnerships we proactively partner with schools and trusts to deliver impactful campaigns that drive pupil admissions, support rebrands and enhance reputations. Our work not only serves our schools but also has a growing external footprint with external school partners.

Our team brings deep expertise across branding, design, PR and websites. We are now looking for our next team member who can bring fresh ideas, add value and contribute to the continued success of this talented team.

The mission of TSAT is simple: to Transform Life Chances regardless of individual circumstance.

We listen. We know our sector moves fast so we adapt.

Your ideas will be heard, tested and shared. If this sounds like you we want to hear from you.

What you need to do now

If you are interested in working at our school, benefiting from a supportive network of colleagues across our Trust and are keen to progress your career, then please apply today!

Equality, diversity and inclusion

TSAT and Thinking Solutions for Education are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities and are happy to discuss flexible working.

Safeguarding

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check. As per KCSIE we will also undertake online searches for all shortlisted candidates.