At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage school capacity data and forecast pupil numbers for Gloucestershire.
- Company: Join a supportive council team dedicated to education planning.
- Benefits: Flexible working, generous leave, career development, and employee support programmes.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in education by ensuring every child has the right school place.
- Qualifications: Analytical skills, experience with data, and strong communication abilities required.
The predicted salary is between 41771 - 47181 £ per year.
Location: Shire Hall
Salary: £41,771 - £47,181 per annum
Hours per week: 37.00
Contract type: Permanent
Closing date: 28/06/2026
This post is not open to job share.
Role Overview
Are you passionate about ensuring Gloucestershire has the right school places in the right locations for every child? The Place Planning Officer role could be the ideal next step for you. Our team delivers an essential service within the Council’s Education Department providing accurate and reliable education data to support school place planning and the management of education buildings across the county. The role involves looking after the Council’s main school capacity and place‑planning data, tracking population and housing developments, producing pupil forecasts, analysing data, sharing insights with senior managers, councillors and partner organisations, leading the annual school capacity return to central government, responding to FOI requests, supporting policy development, and working with partners across education to deliver value for money and positive outcomes.
Key Responsibilities
- Look after the Council’s main school capacity and place‑planning data.
- Track changes in population and housing developments and produce pupil forecasts.
- Analyse data and produce clear, easy‑to‑understand updates for senior managers, councillors and partner organisations.
- Lead the annual school capacity return to central government to secure Basic Need funding.
- Respond to Freedom of Information requests.
- Support policy development and collaborate with colleagues and partners across education.
- Provide good value for money and positive outcomes through effective planning.
Qualifications & Experience
- Confident, analytical professional with experience analysing, managing and presenting detailed datasets.
- Strong forecasting skills and ability to assess impact and risk.
- Excellent report‑writing skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage competing priorities.
- Experience building effective relationships with schools, academies, local authorities, government bodies and other partners.
- Experience leading or contributing to projects, including those that may be sensitive or politically complex.
- Strong IT skills, understanding of statutory processes within education, resilience, political awareness, and motivation to succeed in a busy, fast‑paced environment.
- Full UK driving licence. Occasional work outside normal hours may be necessary.
Benefits
- Flexible and agile working opportunities.
- 25.5 days annual leave rising to 30.5 days after 5 years of continuous service.
- Option to purchase 10 days of additional leave per year (pro rata for part‑time staff).
- Family friendly employer offering benefits to support you and your family.
- Career development and qualification opportunities.
- Supportive and positive working environment with regular, robust supervision.
- Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) providing free, confidential counselling and advice.
- In‑house Occupational Health service.
- Employee discount scheme.
- Cycle to Work scheme.
- Green Car Salary Sacrifice Scheme.
- Links to employee networks such as Prism (LGBT+) and the Young Employees Network.
Legal & Equality
We want to be an employer of choice, attracting and retaining excellent people to work for us, so that we can best serve all of Gloucestershire’s diverse communities. Our promise to you is that we will provide an inclusive and supportive working environment that enables you to bring your whole self to work and realise your full potential. The council is not currently able to offer sponsorship in this role. Candidates must have the right to work that enables them to commit to at least 6 months’ employment. Right to work is not transferable from a sponsored role held with another employer. It is a legal requirement, under the Immigration Act 2016, that anyone appointed to a ‘customer facing role’ must be able to demonstrate an ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence in fluent English.
Place Planning Officer in Gloucester employer: Gloucestershire County Council
As a Place Planning Officer at Shire Hall, you will join a dedicated team within the Council’s Education Department, committed to ensuring that every child in Gloucestershire has access to the right school places. The role offers a supportive and inclusive work culture, with flexible working opportunities, generous annual leave, and a strong focus on career development. With access to employee networks and a comprehensive benefits package, including the Local Government Pension Scheme and an Employee Assistance Programme, this position provides a meaningful opportunity to contribute to the community while enjoying a rewarding work environment.
Contact Details:
Gloucestershire County Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Place Planning Officer in Gloucester
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We think you need these skills to ace Place Planning Officer in Gloucester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Relevant Experience:In the public sector, having experience in community engagement, policy analysis, or project management stands out. Make sure to showcase any previous roles or volunteer work that reflects your understanding of public service values and how they've shaped your career path.
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How to prepare for a job interview at Gloucestershire County Council
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✨Brush Up on Regulatory Knowledge
Brush up on the regulations, laws, and compliance standards relevant to the role you’re applying for. Since this is the government and public sector, they might throw technical questions related to policy frameworks or project management best practices that you'll need to navigate day-to-day.
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