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- Tasks: Lead and support a team in delivering specialist education to disadvantaged young people.
- Company: Join Lapwing, a rapidly growing education charity in East Anglia.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible hours, and a focus on work-life balance.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a supportive and inclusive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of young people while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience with special educational needs and strong leadership abilities.
The predicted salary is between 42084 - 56316 £ per year.
Working across Suffolk (Peripatetic / Home‑based with travel)
Salary: £42,084 - £56,316 per annum (Actual salary)
Hours: 42.5 hours per week, Term time only, Part time applications welcome as 0.8 FTE possible
Contract: Permanent, Required from September 2026
Reference: 0733
Are you an experienced or an aspiring education leader? Do you have what it takes to support the leadership and growth of a specialist therapeutic education provision across Suffolk? Are you committed to the holistic development of some of the most disadvantaged young people in the county? Do you wish to be an integral part of one of the fastest growing education charities in East Anglia?
Lapwing continues to expand and strengthen its peripatetic Education Team across East Anglia and is looking for an inspiring Area Manager, ideally based in West Suffolk or North Suffolk, to join the Extended Leadership Team and add further leadership and management capacity to a growing and highly successful delivery team in Suffolk.
This is an exciting opportunity for the right candidate as the area manager role is integral to the effective delivery of Lapwing’s provision involving programme managing a caseload of students while also supervising, coaching and developing a team of colleagues to deliver best practice specialist education provision in line with Lapwing’s ethos and approach.
This is ideally a full-time position within term time only; a minimum of 34 hours (0.8) per week is possible for the right candidate. The post is peripatetic working out of home. Lapwing believes in a healthy work life balance and expects our leaders to model this to colleagues.
The successful candidate will be an outstanding practitioner from any age range with robust knowledge and experience of assessing and working with young people with special educational needs. They may be an experienced or an aspiring leader, but they will have demonstrable leadership, management and staff development experience and be able to model best practice and creative approaches to colleagues.
Lapwing is a specialist therapeutic education provider and charity, working with young people (aged 4-25 years old) facing exclusion from education, employment and the community through social, emotional, behavioural or learning difficulties and disabilities. Lapwing delivers a broad range of highly personalised education programmes and projects that are designed to meet the needs of, and help realise the aspirations of, each student.
For more information, please read the Job Description and Person Specification.
To apply, please return your completed Application Form by email to recruitment@lapwingeducation.com
Closing date: 9.00 am, 18 May 2026.
Interview date: 21 and Friday 22 May 2026.
Lapwing Education welcomes everyone and creates inclusive teams. We celebrate difference and encourage everyone to join us and be themselves at work. Appointment will be subject to an enhanced DBS check. Lapwing is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
Education Area Manager in Ipswich employer: Suffolk Jobs Direct
Contact Detail:
Suffolk Jobs Direct Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Education Area Manager in Ipswich
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector, especially those who might know about opportunities at Lapwing. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to a foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching Lapwing’s ethos and approach. Show us how your values align with ours and be ready to discuss how you can contribute to our mission of supporting disadvantaged young people.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! We want to hear about your experiences in managing teams and delivering best practices. Use specific examples that highlight your skills and impact in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in being part of our growing team.
We think you need these skills to ace Education Area Manager in Ipswich
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific skills and experiences that match the Education Area Manager role. Highlight your leadership experience and how it aligns with our mission at Lapwing.
Showcase Your Passion: Let your enthusiasm for supporting disadvantaged young people shine through in your application. We want to see your commitment to holistic development and how you can contribute to our growing team.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your experiences and achievements, making it easy for us to see why you’d be a great fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application via our website. It’s the best way to ensure we receive all your details correctly and helps us keep track of your application efficiently.
How to prepare for a job interview at Suffolk Jobs Direct
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in Lapwing’s ethos and approach to education. Familiarise yourself with their programmes and the specific needs of the students they support. This will show your genuine interest and commitment to their mission.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams or managed projects in the past. Highlight your experience in coaching and developing staff, as this is crucial for the Area Manager role. Be ready to discuss how you can inspire and motivate your team.
✨Demonstrate Your Understanding of SEN
Since the role involves working with young people with special educational needs, be prepared to discuss your knowledge and experience in this area. Share specific strategies you’ve used to support these students and how you can apply them at Lapwing.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions about the role and the organisation. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if Lapwing is the right fit for you. Consider asking about their future plans for growth or how they measure success in their programmes.