Strategic Education Partnership Officer

Wokingham Borough Council; Wokingham; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 74,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous annual leave

GP helpline

Employee assistance programme

Free onsite gym

Salary sacrifice schemes

Local & lifestyle discounts

Move through menopause course

Sports & social group activities

And more!

Job summary

Wokingham Borough Council is seeking a Strategic Education Partnership Officer to join the Education and Partnerships Team on a part-time, permanent basis. The role advises and supports a designated group of schools, collaborating with headteachers and Local Authority officers to strengthen partnerships and monitor standards.

You will act as a link officer, follow up concerns, coordinate support for high-priority schools, and contribute to school-improvement services, consultancy and training.

Qualifications

• Substantial and successful experience as a teacher and leader in a school setting.
• Demonstrates commitment to raising standards and addressing underachievement.
• Knowledge of Local Authority roles in school improvement and reforms.
• Experience working across school partnerships to develop improvement programmes.

Responsibilities

• Advise and support a designated group of schools to share best practice.
• Work with headteachers and Local Authority officers to strengthen partnerships.
• Provide reports on standards and quality of education to senior leaders and council members.
• Monitor school performance and coordinate support for high-priority schools.
• Contribute to traded services, consultancy and training for schools.

Skills

Experience as teacher

Leadership in education

Knowledge of education reforms

Job description

Employer: Wokingham Borough Council
Salary: £69,861- £73,570 Pro-Rata, Per Annum + 3 SPA + Benefits
Location: Wokingham Borough Council, Shute End/Home Working
Contract: Permanent
Working Pattern: Part Time
Hours: 29.6 hours per week.
DBS Check: Enhanced
Closing Date: 06/12/2026 at 23:00
Reference: 706265

We have an excellent opportunity for a Strategic Education Partnership Officer to join our Education and Partnerships Team here at Wokingham Borough Council, on a Part-time, Permanent basis.

As a Strategic Education Partnership Officer, you will advise and support a designated group of schools. You will work with headteachers, senior leaders and Local Authority officers to strengthen partnership working. As a link officer, you will follow up complaints and support schools during critical incidents. You will also help monitor school performance, identifying and concerns and coordinating support.

You will contribute to school improvement services, consultancy and training for schools, teachers and governors in Wokingham. You will take part in commissioned reviews and quality assurance across the education system. You will support briefings, consultations and steering groups, and lead service activities linked to local and national priorities. You will report on education standards and quality to senior leaders and council members and will work closely with council officers, Ofsted, the Department for Education and other professional bodies.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced education professional with a strong track record in school improvement, partnership working and raising standards.

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:

• Generous Annual Leave– 31 days annual leave (pro-rata, rising by 5 days pro-rata after 5 years of continued local government service), plus bank holidays
• GP Helpline - Available 7 days a week
• Employee Assistance Programme- Including a 24/7Your CareHelpline
• Free Onsite Gym- Located at Shute End Offices, Wokingham
• Salary Sacrifice Schemes- IncludingCarandCycle to Work schemes
• Local & Lifestyle Discounts- Save on shopping, entertainment, dining out & more
• Move through Menopause Course
• Sports & Social Group Activities– Including running, football, cricket & more
• And more!

Key Responsibilities

• Work in partnership with a designated group of schools to provide advice, support and guidance and ensure effective sharing of best practice in line with the Local Authority school partnership, support and monitoring policy.
• Work strategically with headteachers, senior leaders and other Local Authority officers on effective partnerships within the assigned education phase.
• Provide reports on standards and quality of education in designated schools to the Head of Education and Belonging, other Local Authority officers and, as required, council members.
• Contribute to monitoring school performance; report concerns about pupil outcomes, provision or safeguarding early; coordinate and broker support for high-priority schools; and advocate for the most vulnerable.
• Contribute to the traded offer of school-improvement services, school consultancy and training for schools, teachers and governors in Wokingham.

Candidate Requirements

• Substantial and successful experience as a teacher, with clear experience and evidence of raising standards as a senior leader or head teacher in a school
• Demonstrates commitment to addressing underachievement, and meeting the education needs of the most vulnerable groups in our schools
• Knowledge and understanding of the changing role of the Local Authority in respect to school improvement and current education reforms
• Successful experience of working as a Local Authority officer and/or working across school partnerships to develop school improvement programmes and raise standards

Our Area

Wokingham Borough Council has recently been ranked 2nd most productive council in England by the Impower Productivity Index, recognising our strong performance and efficient use of public money.

Our 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, a host of international businesses and an incredible community. The borough has a strong local economy with accelerated growth, a range of excellent public facilities and low levels of crime, offering an exceptional quality of life.

Interview date: TBC

AI in Applications

We recognise that candidates may choose to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support the preparation of their job applications. When used appropriately, AI can be a helpful aid in structuring responses, checking clarity, and improving presentation.

However, applications must reflect your own skills, experience and understanding. If an application appears to rely excessively on AI-generated content, it may not meet the required standard and could be rejected.

We encourage all applicants to ensure their submissions are authentic, tailored to the role, and clearly demonstrate their own knowledge, experience and suitability.

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.

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.

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.

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we regret that we are unable to respond to every applicant individually.

If you do not hear from us within 4 weeks of the application closing date, please assume that your application has not been successful on this occasion.

We appreciate your interest in joining Wokingham Borough Council and thank you for taking the time to apply.

Wokingham is an equal opportunities employer.

Alternatively, to arrange an informal discussion about the role, contact Melanie Higgs, Achievement and Inclusion Team Leader via [e-mail] (Strictly no agencies).