Quick overview
Job description
Education Improvement Officer - Primary - Ref: CH09726
Grade: G8; £40,444 - £43,149
Walsall Virtual School is seeking a passionate and knowledgeable Education Improvement Officer to support the educational achievement and help shape better educational outcomes for vulnerable children and young people.
We are particularly interested in hearing from professionals with a background in primary education who understand the importance of strong foundations, early intervention and inclusive practice.
View: Job Description and Employee Specification
Closing Date: 13th November 2026
This post is covered by the Government’s Code of Practice on the English Language Fluency Duty for public sector workers. The post holder will be required to communicate verbally with customers and provide advice and/or information in accurate spoken English.
Walsall Council takes seriously the responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all the children, young people and vulnerable adults entrusted to our care and it is our expectation that all staff will share this commitment. We will ensure continuous development and improvement of robust recruitment processes and procedures that promote a culture of safeguarding amongst our workforce. Completion of an enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check is a requirement for working with children, young people and vulnerable adults.
Note: Applicants appointed to posts that require an enhanced DBS clearance must declare any periods of time that they have lived, studied or worked abroad and be prepared to provide an Overseas Criminal Records Certificate (OCRC) or a Statement of Good Conduct (SOGC) relating to anytime they were overseas.
Important note: When completing your online application form, you will be asked to enter supporting information. You must enter a detailed supporting information statement describing how your skills, abilities and experience meet the specific criteria included in the employee specification. If you do not include a supporting information statement, you will not be shortlisted. Please also ensure that you complete the work history and qualifications sections of your application form. Please do not add a CV as we do not accept them. Please see our Information for Applicants leaflet for further information.
At Walsall Council, we appreciate that AI can be a useful tool for ideas or guidance. However, we encourage you to make sure your application reflects your own voice and experiences. Over-reliance on AI can make responses feel less personal, and we really want to understand what makes you unique. Your experiences, skills, and perspective are what set you apart, so please ensure your application as a whole – particularly your ‘Supporting Information’ – reflects your own voice.
Walsall Council’s Children’s Services are the only Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ local authority in the Black Country. During a visit in May 2025, Inspectors described Walsall Council as a place where children were at the heart of. The council’s journey of continuous improvement started in 2017 and has since transformed into a service with a clear vision, clear priorities and a clear plan, all informed by the views of our staff and children. Staff are at the core of delivering great outcomes for children and young people in Walsall, which is underpinned by our Walsall Right 4 Children vision. The latest Ofsted inspection demonstrated that staff in children’s services are proud to work for Walsall Council and feel supported to do great work.
As an Education Improvement Officer, you will play a key role in promoting high expectations and championing the educational progress of children within the Virtual School cohort.
You will work directly with schools and other professionals to identify barriers to learning, review educational progress, challenge underachievement and support the development of effective interventions. Your work will help ensure that children experience stability, inclusion and success throughout their educational journey.
This role combines relationship building, professional challenge, data analysis and strategic support. It would suit someone who is confident working with schools, passionate about inclusion and committed to improving life chances for vulnerable children.
What You'll Be Doing:
-Building strong relationships with designated teachers, SENCOs, pastoral teams school leaders, as well as with other external professionals and the social care team.
-Supporting schools, social workers, parents and carers to improve educational outcomes for vulnerable children and young people by identifying barriers to learning and develop effective strategies to overcome them.
-Visiting schools and settings to support and monitor progress, attainment, attendance and engagement identifying strengths, areas of concern and next steps to improve outcomes .
-Supporting the development and quality assurance of Personal Education Plans (PEPs).
-Providing support and constructive challenge to ensure children receive the highest quality educational provision.
-Promoting inclusive, trauma-informed and attachment-aware approaches across education settings.
-Contributing to training, guidance and the sharing of effective practice.
-Using educational data and professional insight to inform planning and decision-making.
-Leading and participating in professional meetings, reviews and consultations.
What We're Looking For:
-Experience of working within a primary school or primary-phase educational setting.
-A strong understanding of effective teaching, learning and assessment within primary education.
-Knowledge and understanding of the statutory role and purpose of the Virtual School.
-Knowledge of safeguarding responsibilities and statutory guidance.
-Experience of working with and supporting vulnerable children, including those with additional needs, attendance concerns or barriers to engagement.
-An understanding of SEND processes and inclusive educational practice.
-Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
-The ability to analyse educational data and use it to drive improvement.
-Experience of influencing practice and working collaboratively with a range of professionals.
-Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities.
-Knowledge of trauma-informed and attachment-aware approaches.
-Experience of delivering training or professional development to colleagues.