Learning Development Officer

We are looking for a Platform Learning Development Officer to join the team.

Location: Devon and South Somerset or Wiltshire and Dorset

Hours: Full-time

Contract: Two contracts available

Closing Date: 18th May 2026. Please note that interviewing of suitable candidates will take place as they apply and therefore we encourage you to apply for this position early. We reserve the right to close the job if we find a suitable candidate before the application deadline. Should you be shortlisted you will be contacted to arrange an online interview.

About the Role:

Platform is an education programme for five Community Rail Partnerships (TransWilts, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, Severnside and South Wessex). Community Rail Partnerships (CRPs) bring together local groups and partners along railway lines to work with the rail industry to deliver a range of community engagement and promotional activities. They promote understanding of the importance of local railways, in terms of improving mobility and sustainable travel, community cohesion and wellbeing, and social and economic development. Platform helps teachers to build their students’ knowledge of rail-safety, their understanding of sustainable and healthy travel, and their confidence in using trains. This role involves working on site at schools, on trains and at stations which can necessitate early starts as we cover a large region (wherever possible travel will be via train and a train pass will be issued).

Main duties and responsibilities include:

• Deliver in‑school workshops and assemblies tailored to the needs of students and schools using appropriate engagement and behaviour management techniques.
• Confidently deliver rail familiarisation education sessions – including safety briefings – at stations, on trains, and wherever relevant.
• Develop, edit and adjust workshops routinely.
• Be the principal contact for schools in the lead up to their trips, design itineraries and book future trips.
• Take responsibility for filling bookings and meeting targets by conducting targeted marketing.
• Shadow colleagues from Platform and Community Rail and embed good practice into their own workshops.
• Liaise with stakeholders including teachers, school staff, train operating companies and staff at stations to ensure the smooth operation of a trip.
• Contribute to risk assessment planning for school trips and workshops and follow safeguarding procedures.
• Adhere to meticulous safety protocol when travelling by train and at stations.
• Gather feedback from students and teachers at the end of workshops and train trips using QR code stickers and Impact surveys.
• On non‑delivery days, plan, research and create curriculum‑linked learning resources across KS1 to KS3 (may only be 1 or 2 days a month).
• Generate ideas for innovative and exciting lessons that meet curriculum objectives, and link to the rail industry/local areas.
• Gather meaningful data and use it to influence reports.

There are two Learning Development Officer positions available:

• Devon and South Somerset: Candidate ideally located close to Exeter stations, to deliver the programme to schools around rail routes across Devon and South Somerset (fixed‑term contract 1st September 2026 - 31st July 2027; this post has the potential of extending depending on future funding).
• Wiltshire and Dorset: Candidate ideally located close to Westbury station, to deliver the programme to schools around rail routes to Weymouth and Swindon (maternity cover starting 1st September 2026 for up to 12 months or until the postholder returns).

About You:

We are looking for someone with experience in, and enthusiasm for, delivering primary and/or secondary curriculum‑led educational sessions in an inspiring and motivating way and a clear understanding and experience of the education sector. You will have:

• Ability to work supportively, empathetically and flexibly with teachers, school staff and young people.
• Knowledge of Safeguarding procedures and KCSIE.
• Experience of delivering off‑site learning, such as school trips or visits with community groups.
• Experience of using data to inform future actions.
• Experience of writing, or contributing to, risk assessments.
• Confidence to approach schools by telephone, in person and via email to market the scheme in order to reach scheme targets.
• Represent the scheme at community and networking events.
• A Qualified Teaching Qualification.
• A current first aid certificate or willingness to do the training.
• Driving licence, with access to a car for occasions where travelling by train isn’t viable.