Education Officer
30 hours per week, Term Time Only (Fixed Term Contract (until 31st March 2027 in the first instance due to grant funding)
This role is office-based; however, it also offers some agile or remote working.
Travel is an aspect of the role, and you may be required to attend meetings outside of standard office hours on occasion.
Do you want to make the difference to the lives of children and young people across the Isle of Wight?
Do you like a challenge and want to live and work in a beautiful part of the country?
If so, come and join us on the Isle of Wight, as we transform education on the Island.
The Isle of Wight Virtual School is offering an exciting opportunity for an experienced practitioner to join the team as an Education Officer supporting our 0–11-year-olds. This post is being created to add capacity to our team and develop the team’s expertise within early years and primary practice.
This is a key role which works to promote and improve the educational attainment, attendance and engagement of the children we care for on the Isle of Wight. The post holder will need to work collaboratively with schools, social workers and carers to ensure every child has high-quality educational provision to meet their needs and an up-to-date Personal Education Plan to support their progress. The post holder has, with others, the responsibility for achieving targets set by the Virtual School and Children’s Services around the education and outcomes of our children.
The Virtual School Education Officer will report directly to the Isle of Wight Virtual School Headteacher and will primarily work on the Isle of Wight though some travel may be required.
What will you be doing?
- Championing Cared for Children 0-11 to access, engage with and aspire within education
- Responsibility for ensuring all 4–11-year-olds have an appropriate education provision to support their needs
- Ensuring all 0–11-year-olds have an effective Personal Education Plan co-produced with the child and professionals
- Work with external stakeholders to improve the opportunities for our children and young people.
- Take responsibility for monitoring attendance, engagement and outcomes for cared for children 0-11
- Represent the department within the various meetings and partnerships.
- Work with colleagues to drive forward the Education Strategy.
- Improve the outcomes for cared for children
About you
- An experienced education practitioner with significant experience working with 0–11-year-olds
- Able to work as part of a team, taking responsibility for the babies and children you support
- Ability to access face to face meetings on the Isle of Wight
- High quality verbal and written communication skills.
- A commitment to ensuring children and young people across the Isle of Wight achieve their best outcomes and skills to thrive in their next stage of education and beyond
We look forward to hearing from applicants who have:
- A commitment to creativity and innovation.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- A passion for improving the life chances of others, and particularly those from vulnerable and/or marginalised groups.
- An ability to work collaboratively with different professionals.
In line with the Council's Recruitment and Selection Policy, please note that we are unable to accept CVs. Any information provided on CVs will not be considered for short-listing purposes.
If you would like an informal discussion about the role, please email Rosie Lister, Virtual School Headteacher, rosie.lister@iow.gov.uk
Join #TeamIWC and you'll receive our staff benefits package, including:
- Annual leave entitlement of 32 days p/a PLUS public holidays!
- Local Government pension scheme
- Discounted Solent ferry travel
- Island bus network discount
- Cycle to work scheme
- Staff parking permit scheme
- Discounted island sports & leisure gym membership
- National and local discounts & benefits schemes
- Relocation scheme of up to £8,000 may be available for some roles (subject to criteria)
- Travel allowance may be available if commuting from the mainland (subject to criteria)
Find out more about working for the Isle of Wight Council and living on the Island.
The Isle of Wight Council currently does not have a license to sponsor overseas workers.
We actively promote the diversity of our workforce, and provide flexible working options (where appropriate) to support the different needs of our employees. We are an equal opportunities employer, proud to encourage applications from all cultures, backgrounds and abilities to better reflect the diversity within our local community.
We are a Disability Confident employer. Along with a number of commitments, this means, providing you meet the basic essential requirements of the advertised role and have declared yourself as disabled, you will be offered an opportunity for an interview within the council.
The Isle of Wight Council protects its employees from discrimination, and this is supported by;
our values, culture and inclusivity
The Isle of Wight Council’s Terms & Conditions of employment are available upon request. Please contact our recruitment team via adverts@iow.gov.uk if you would like to receive a copy.
The Isle of Wight Council reserve the right to close vacancies earlier than stated, if required. To ensure your application is considered, it is recommended to submit your application promptly.
This council and its schools recruit according to the council’s Recruitment, Policy and Procedure and are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share in this commitment.
For support completing your online application or for further information on how to apply, phone 01983 823134 or email callcentre@iow.gov.uk Only applications submitted online by the closing date will be accepted.
We often receive a high volume of applicants for our vacancies. If you do not hear from the recruiting manager within three weeks of the closing date, we regret that your application will not have been successful on this occasion. Please revisit our job page for alternate posts that may be suitable.