At a Glance
- Tasks: Analyse pupil data and housing growth to shape education provision in West Northamptonshire.
- Company: Join West Northants Council, where ambition meets opportunity.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, supportive culture, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's education and community development.
- Qualifications: Strong analytical skills and experience with complex datasets required.
The predicted salary is between 31324 - 31324 £ per year.
We are looking for a School Place Planning Officer to support the delivery of statutory education place planning across West Northamptonshire. Working as part of the Place Planning & Admissions team, you will play a vital role in analysing pupil data, housing growth, and school capacity to help shape future statutory education provision. This is a data-driven, operational role. It's an excellent opportunity for someone with strong analytical skills who wants to make a meaningful impact for children, families, and communities.
You will be required to work in the office for a minimum of two days per week. Subject to business needs you may be required to work additional days in the office.
- Supporting education place planning within West Northamptonshire
- Analysing pupil data, demographic trends, and school capacity
- Assessing housing developments, trajectories, and phasing to understand education impact
- Reviewing planning applications and assisting with education infrastructure responses
- Calculating pupil yields in line with DfE guidance and local methodologies
- Maintaining accurate datasets and records to assist with supporting long-term planning
- Working collaboratively with colleagues across Education, Planning, and wider council services
- Reporting to the School Place Planning Manager and Head of Service
Requirements:
- Strong analytical skills with experience of working with complex datasets
- Excellent attention to detail and ability to interpret and present information clearly
- Confident using Microsoft Office 365 tools (Strong with Excel)
- Experience working in a local authority or public sector environment
- An understanding of housing development data and pupil yield modelling
- Experience of systems such as Capita ONE and/or GIS (e.g. QGIS)
At West Northants Council, it's about our people. People who thrive with ambition, bubble with new ideas, demand better ways of working, caring about every detail, and who never shy away from a challenge. Our culture is a gateway for new experiences. A place to forge new opportunities. To empower you in your career and unite you with like-minded people.
Our vision is 'to make West Northants a great place to live, work, visit and thrive'. We truly stand by this and work hard every day to make this a reality. Our corporate values, THRIVE, stand for: Trust, High Performance, Respect, Innovate and Empower, they underpin everything we do and how we deliver services.
We are committed to ensuring diversity, equality, equity, and inclusion is woven into the fabric of WNC and everything we do, to enable all colleagues to develop and maximize their full potential. We are a disability confident employer, a member of the Armed Forces Covenant, and a Care Leaver Covenant partner.
Strategic School Place Planner — Data & Capacity in Northampton employer: West Northants Council
At West Northants Council, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of ambition, innovation, and collaboration. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion ensures that every employee can thrive and reach their full potential, while our focus on community impact allows you to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families in Northampton. With strong support for professional development and a vibrant work environment, we invite you to join us in shaping a brighter future for our communities.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategic School Place Planner — Data & Capacity in Northampton
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the team! Before your interview, do a bit of research on the Place Planning & Admissions team. Understanding their projects and challenges can help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in making an impact.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off those analytical skills! Be ready to discuss specific examples where you've successfully analysed data or tackled complex datasets. Use numbers and outcomes to illustrate your points – it’s all about demonstrating your ability to make data-driven decisions.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Run through common interview questions related to education planning and data analysis. This will help you articulate your thoughts clearly and confidently during the actual interview.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We want to see your application come through directly. It shows initiative and gives us a chance to connect with you right from the start. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role there!
We think you need these skills to ace Strategic School Place Planner — Data & Capacity in Northampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role of School Place Planning Officer. We want to see how you can contribute to our mission in West Northamptonshire!
Show Off Your Analytical Skills:Since this role is all about data, don’t hold back on showcasing your analytical prowess. Use specific examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your ability to work with complex datasets and draw meaningful insights.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, clarity is key! We appreciate well-structured responses that get straight to the point. Make it easy for us to see your qualifications and enthusiasm for the role.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows your commitment to joining our team at West Northants Council!
How to prepare for a job interview at West Northants Council
✨Know Your Data
Make sure you brush up on your analytical skills and get familiar with the types of pupil data, demographic trends, and school capacity metrics that are relevant to the role. Being able to discuss specific examples of how you've worked with complex datasets will show your expertise.
✨Understand the Local Context
Research West Northamptonshire's current education landscape, including recent housing developments and their impact on school places. This will help you demonstrate your understanding of the local authority's needs and how you can contribute to effective place planning.
✨Excel at Excel
Since the role requires strong proficiency in Microsoft Office 365, especially Excel, make sure you're comfortable with functions, pivot tables, and data visualisation. You might even want to prepare a quick example of how you've used these tools in past roles to impress your interviewers.
✨Embrace Collaboration
The job involves working closely with various teams, so be ready to discuss your experience in collaborative environments. Share examples of how you've successfully worked with colleagues from different departments to achieve common goals, highlighting your communication and teamwork skills.
