School Planning Officer

Lancashire County Council; Lancashire; Hybrid; GBP 41,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible & hybrid working

Annual leave entitlement

LGPS

Learning opportunities

Supportive environment

Wellbeing initiatives

Job summary

Lancashire County Council is seeking a motivated School Place Planning Officer (Housing) to help ensure education infrastructure keeps pace with housing growth across Lancashire. You will analyse demographic, pupil and housing data, produce forecasts and sufficiency assessments, and work with schools, councils and developers to plan future school places.

The role blends education, planning and housing in a strategic county-wide context.

Qualifications

• A degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant discipline, or significant professional experience in a related field.
• Experience of analysing and interpreting complex data and producing high-quality reports.
• Strong Excel and data management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• The ability to build productive relationships and influence stakeholders.
• An understanding of education, planning, demographic analysis or infrastructure planning.
• The ability to manage competing priorities and work independently within a professional environment.
• Experience of school place planning, developer contributions, local government or education sufficiency work would be advantageous but is not essential.

Responsibilities

• Producing pupil forecasts, sufficiency assessments and strategic analyses.
• Monitoring school capacity and future demand for places.
• Assessing the impact of housing developments on education provision.
• Supporting planning consultations and developer contribution assessments.
• Preparing reports, briefing papers and recommendations for senior officers and elected members.
• Contributing to education sufficiency strategies, school organisation proposals and capital projects.
• Building effective relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders.

Skills

Data analysis

Report writing

Stakeholder management

Communication

Demographics

Project management

Prioritisation

Education

Degree or equivalent

Tools

Excel

Job description

Job Description Salary £40,777 - £46,142 per annum | 37 hours per week | Permanent, Full Time | School Place Planning Sufficiency Officer (Grade 9)

Job Description Salary £40,777 - £46,142 per annum | 37 hours per week | Permanent, Full Time | School Place Planning Officer (Housing)

Education – School Place Planning Team

Location: County Hall / Hybrid

Salary: £40,777- £46,142

International Sponsorship – this role is not open to international sponsorship

Help Shape Lancashire's Future

Lancashire County Council is committed to ensuring every child has access to the right school place at the right time. As housing growth continues across the county, we are seeking a motivated and analytical School Place Planning Officer (Housing) to help ensure that education infrastructure keeps pace with new development.

This is an exciting opportunity to work at the intersection of education, planning and housing, influencing how communities grow and helping secure investment in school places for future generations.

About The Role

Working alongside senior officers, you will support the planning and delivery of education provision across the county by analysing demographic, pupil and housing data, identifying future school place requirements and contributing to strategic solutions.

You will work with a wide range of stakeholders including schools, academy trusts, local planning authorities, developers and colleagues across the Council to help ensure education infrastructure keeps pace with growth and changing community needs.

Key Responsibilities

• Producing pupil forecasts, sufficiency assessments and strategic analyses.
• Monitoring school capacity and future demand for places.
• Assessing the impact of housing developments on education provision.
• Supporting planning consultations and developer contribution assessments.
• Preparing reports, briefing papers and recommendations for senior officers and elected members.
• Contributing to education sufficiency strategies, school organisation proposals and capital projects.
• Building effective relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders.

About You

• A degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant discipline, or significant professional experience in a related field.
• Experience of analysing and interpreting complex data and producing high-quality reports.
• Strong Excel and data management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• The ability to build productive relationships and influence stakeholders.
• An understanding of education, planning, demographic analysis or infrastructure planning.
• The ability to manage competing priorities and work independently within a professional environment.
• Experience of school place planning, developer contributions, local government or education sufficiency work would be advantageous but is not essential.

At Lancashire County Council, we are committed to making Lancashire the best place to live, work, visit and prosper.

Through our Lancashire Mindset of Growth, Ownership, Optimism and Positive Impact, we invest in our people and support them to develop rewarding careers that make a real difference to local communities.

We offer:

• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
• Generous annual leave entitlement.
• Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Ongoing learning and development opportunities.
• Supportive and collaborative working environment.
• Employee wellbeing initiatives and staff benefits.

If you are looking for an opportunity to use your analytical and professional skills to help shape the future of education provision across Lancashire, we would love to hear from you.

Closing date

Closing date: 28 th August 2026

Interviews

Interviews: w/c 14 th September 2026

Additional Information

This is designated as an essential car user post. The successful applicant will be required to provide a vehicle for business use and hold appropriate business insurance cover. Reasonable adjustments will be considered for applicants who are unable to drive due to a