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- Tasks: Lead a dedicated education team to support vulnerable children and improve their learning outcomes.
- Company: Wilderness Way, a values-driven organisation focused on making a difference in children's lives.
- Benefits: Fully funded CPD, medical benefits, employee assistance, and recognition schemes.
- Why this job: Make a lasting impact on children's futures while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in education leadership and a passion for supporting vulnerable children.
- Other info: Hybrid working with travel across beautiful Cumbria and the North East.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
Lead with purpose. Raise the standard. Change futures. At Wilderness Way, we support some of the UK’s most vulnerable children, many of whom have experienced significant trauma, disrupted education, and complex barriers to learning. This work requires real skill, patience, consistency, and a team that upholds high standards while remaining relentlessly child‑centred.
Due to growth, we are recruiting a confident, forward‑thinking Education Manager to lead an exceptional education team and help shape the future of our bespoke, trauma‑informed offer across Cumbria and the North East. This is a hands‑on leadership role at the heart of our education function. If you are an experienced education leader (perhaps a Headteacher, Assistant/Deputy Headteacher, Head of Year, or other comparable role) and you bring the right values, strong leadership habits, and the drive to improve outcomes, you’ll thrive here. You’ll balance what’s right for the child today, while building the foundations for long‑term progress.
In this role, you will:
- Line manage our peripatetic Education Assessment Leads, maintaining oversight of caseloads, reporting deadlines and quality standards through regular supervision and day‑to‑day guidance.
- Work collaboratively with internal teams and external partners (including social workers, Virtual School and SEND advisors, and IROs) to ensure joined‑up education planning and clear, realistic expectations.
- Lead on key awarding body and exam processes, acting as Designated Person for NCFE Functional Skills and ASDAN and supporting GCSE exam administration as required.
- Support service development with the Head of Education, contributing to projects and helping to shape and deliver training aligned to organisational priorities.
- Deliver teaching sessions when needed to maintain continuity of provision (for example, to cover absence) or provide subject/vocational sessions aligned to your specialism.
Where you’ll work: Hybrid: 2 days per week at our Penrith Head Office, with home working for the rest of the week. Travel: Ad hoc travel across our beautiful service locations across Cumbria and the North East as required to support delivery and stakeholder engagement (driving licence and access to a vehicle essential).
What’s in it for you?
- Fully funded CPD + additional recognised qualifications.
- 24/7 employee assistance & counselling.
- Medical benefits + staff discounts.
- “Above and Beyond” recognition scheme.
- A values‑driven team where your voice and ideas truly matter.
- The chance to make a lasting difference, every single day.
We are an equal opportunities employer and have a commitment to safeguarding children. We follow Safer Recruitment practices. The successful candidate will be subject to necessary background checks, governed by regulation, including obtaining an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring service (DBS), Access NI, or Disclosure Scotland.
Education Manager in Penrith employer: A Wilderness Way
Contact Detail:
A Wilderness Way Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Education Manager in Penrith
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector, especially those who might know about opportunities at Wilderness Way. A friendly chat can often lead to insider info that you won’t find on job boards.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by understanding the values and mission of Wilderness Way. Think about how your experience aligns with their focus on supporting vulnerable children and be ready to share specific examples of your leadership style and impact.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your hands-on approach! In your discussions, highlight times when you’ve directly contributed to improving educational outcomes or led teams through challenging situations. This will resonate well with their need for a confident, forward-thinking leader.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Education Manager in Penrith
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for education and supporting vulnerable children shine through. We want to see that you genuinely care about making a difference in their lives.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in education leadership. We’re looking for specific examples of how you've led teams or improved outcomes, so don’t hold back on those details!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that get straight to the heart of what you bring to the table. Remember, clarity is key!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from our team.
How to prepare for a job interview at A Wilderness Way
✨Know Your Values
Before the interview, take some time to reflect on your personal values and how they align with the mission of Wilderness Way. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've demonstrated these values in your previous roles, especially in challenging situations.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As an Education Manager, your leadership style is crucial. Prepare to share your approach to leading teams, particularly in a child-centred environment. Think about times when you’ve successfully managed a team through change or adversity, and be ready to discuss the outcomes.
✨Understand Trauma-Informed Practices
Familiarise yourself with trauma-informed education practices. Be prepared to discuss how you would implement these strategies in your role. This shows that you not only understand the challenges faced by vulnerable children but also have actionable ideas for supporting their learning.
✨Prepare Questions for Them
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the organisation's approach to education and how they support their staff. This demonstrates your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it’s the right fit for you.