Programmes graduate trainee jobs

This is an exciting entry-level opportunity for someone with interest in or experience of health or social care services who is passionate about improving health and wellbeing in England and looking to begin a new career in policy or research.

The King’s Fund has an ambition to increase the diversity of our workforce and to create career opportunities in health and care policy for a broader range of people. The policy and research field is not yet reflective of the health and care workforce in terms of ethnicity. We believe that diversity of background and experience contributes to a broader collective perspective, and we want to improve the way we influence health and social care policy. This positive action trainee post is aimed at people from an ethnic minority background who are interested in pursuing a career in policy and/or research who have not previously worked or had an internship in this field and is advertised under Section 158 of the Equality Act 2010. 

About the role 

The Policy and Research Trainee post is a broad-ranging development role that will support the post-holder to gain knowledge and experience of various aspects of policy and research within a specialist health and care policy team.

You will contribute to projects across a wide range of issues relating to health and social care policy and practice (see our website for some examples of our recent projects). You will gain experience in creating a range of outputs for different audiences, publishing and presenting research findings in an accessible way. Training will be available both internally and externally to develop not only relevant research skills but also wider aspects such as writing and giving presentations.

About us 

The King’s Fund’s mission is to inspire hope and build confidence for positive change, by boldly reimagining a health and care system that is compassionate, equitable and fit for the future, with people at its heart.

We want our staff to feel like they can bring their whole selves to work. We have a range of staff networks, including a Black Staff Network and an Allyship group. You can read more about our work on diversity and inclusion on our website.

About you 

We are looking for someone who is passionate and curious about improving health and care in England and who wants to learn more about health and care policy. 

You will have a demonstrable interest in learning about English health and care policy and research. You will already have experience with health or care, whether as a carer, patient or staff member, and an interest in improving health and wellbeing, for example by reducing health inequalities and improving social determinants of health.

You will not have previously worked in research or policy, but you’ll be enthusiastic about gaining the new skills and experience needed to start a career in policy or research. We are particularly interested to hear from people who see this opportunity as unique and critical to their career development.  

How to apply

To apply, please visit our website and read our supplementary guidance documents, then download and fill in our application form and the equal opportunities form. If completing the application forms present any challenges, contact us by email so we can discussion options. 

We will also be running two informal online sessions on Zoom on 9 or 13 April where you can hear from existing colleagues about what it’s like to work in The King’s Fund policy team and have the opportunity to ask questions. Please visit this job advert on our website to register. You only need to attend one of the sessions. . 

Please note that in order to apply, you must have existing documented proof of your right to live and work in the UK. Sadly, we are unable to sponsor work permit applications, extensions or transfers from an existing UK employer. 

CVs will not be accepted as applications. Applications must be submitted using The King’s Fund application form. 

Closing date for receipt of completed applications is 19 April.

Interviews will be held in person at The King’s Fund London office on 13 May (role available to commence in June but no later than September 2026).

Location:  Across London

Closing date: 26 April 2026

Interview dates: 12 - 15 May 2026

Whether your empathy towards homeless people has its roots in personal experience or your compassionate nature and determination to help, when you join Thames Reach on our 12-month Traineeship programme, you’ll be making a difference and taking the first steps towards a great career.

About us…

Thames Reach runs projects and services that help to end homelessness in London. We work directly with homeless people on the streets and in hostels.  We work to prevent vulnerable people from becoming homeless.  We help formerly homeless people get their lives back on track and help people find work and access training and volunteering opportunities.

Is our mission easy? No, but we never give up on people. Last year we helped more than 15,000 people.

Is our work rewarding? Yes, in every sense. We’re listed as one of the top 100 Best Workplaces in the UK.  There’s no better place to develop or transfer your skills and build a fulfilling career.

About this role…

Every role at Thames Reach is about ensuring that the users of our services find and sustain a decent home, develop supportive relationships and lead fulfilling lives. On our structured Traineeship scheme, you’ll gain first-hand experience and on-the-job training in what we do. You’ll be expected to work full time on a rota basis. Our placements involve a range of working patterns such as shifts, including evenings and weekends, night work in our fast-paced Rapid Response Outreach team and Monday to Friday 9-5 roles.

The key features are:

• A thorough induction, followed by two six-month placements at our projects, one of which will be hostel-based.

• With supervision and training from experienced employees to help our clients to get off and stay off the street with access to appropriate services.

• Learning about and assisting with necessary administration and record-keeping.

The kind of things we’re looking for:

• Compassion, determination and a desire to play your part in ending street homelessness.

• Good basic admin and IT skills.

• Good team working skills

• The resilience and commitment to work in a challenging, ever-changing environment.

• An understanding of street homelessness and its impact on people’s lives – applicants who have experienced homelessness are particularly encouraged to apply.

What you can expect…

• A generous pension contribution - we contribute 6.5% to your pension when you contribute 1.5%.

• A range of other benefits including generous holiday allowance – 24 days per year, wellbeing support, cycle to work and season ticket loans.

• High quality on-the-job training with the opportunity to develop the skills needed for a career in our front-line services.

• Potential job prospects – although this is not guaranteed, many of our trainees have gained permanent employment at Thames Reach or in related organisations following completion of the programme.

• Application Support – we encourage candidates who would like support with their application to get in touch before applying. 

Please note that we cannot guarantee location of placements for successful intakes.

Thames Reach welcomes applications from people with transferable skills and fresh perspectives.

To apply visit our website and complete our application form.

We are committed to achieving a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We value, respect, and celebrate diversity. We welcome and encourage applicants from all sections of the community regardless of their history of homelessness, sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, or religious belief.

Thames Reach is committed to safeguarding. Applicants must be willing to undergo pre-employment screening appropriate to the post, including, but not limited to checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. Having a criminal record will not exclude you from applying but you will be asked to provide further details as most posts are considered exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

About Spear Wolverhampton

Spear Wolverhampton is a partnership between Spear and Tabernacle Baptist Church.

Tabernacle Baptist Church is a large and lively multicultural and multi-generational church located in the heart of the diverse and multi-religious Whitmore Reans area of Wolverhampton. Their mission statement is ‘Love God, Love People, Share Jesus, Make Disciples’ and their current text is “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful”. They want to see people’s lives transformed by Jesus. They run monthly evangelism in the community, meet in 8 house groups during the week and run discipleship and other training programmes.

Tabernacle Baptist Church are excited about the opportunity to work with Spear in this new chapter in our church life - helping transform the lives of young people and young adults in Wolverhampton who are looking for work and new opportunities.

The successful candidate would be employed by Tabernacle Baptist Church with Spear Wolverhampton as a key missional activity. Prayer and worship are embedded into daily working practices, so there is an Occupational Requirement for applicants to be practicing Christians and to subscribe to their statement of beliefs. Spear will provide an informal conversation to discuss Tabernacle Baptist Church’s statement of beliefs early in the application process.

Key Information

Salary: £13,800

Hours: 9.00am – 5.00pm, Tuesday – Thursday, Part-time (with some flexibility and occasional evening or weekend work for events such as Spear Celebrations)

Location: Tabernacle Baptist Church, Wolverhampton

Closing date: Sunday 26th April

Interviews: Friday 1st May

Application: We will not process applications through this page, please apply through Tabernacle Baptist Church.

For more information please read through our Work With Us Information Pack and Job Specification.

Role Responsibilities

Spear Programme

• Support in group coaching sessions of up to 12 young people. Coaching them around skills and mindsets to support them in returning to work or education and equipping them with the skills to stay there.
• You’ll be given all the training needed to deliver Spear through our professional coaching methodology.
• This coaching continues for Spear Career – the 6 months’ worth of follow-up support. You will oversee a caseload of trainees and support them in work, beyond the initial Foundation Phase of the programme.
• Lead weekly 1:1s with a cohort of young people to monitor their progress and support them in their journey to employment.
• As part of this you will help trainees evaluate their progress and determine their work readiness throughout the programme – coaching them through challenges, creating moments of breakthrough and setting goals.

Relationship Management 

• You’ll build relationships with relevant professionals at local organisations, and communicate directly with young people, to encourage referrals to the Spear programme.
• You will support with job fairs, mock interview days and welcoming external visitors to the centre.

Church Community 

• The Spear Coach is directly employed Tabernacle Baptist Church, meaning you are part of a vibrant church team and immersed in an exciting faith community.
• Help to raise the profile of the Spear programme within the church and build a network of supporters and volunteers from the congregation.
• Other relevant ad hoc church responsibilities from time to time.

Person Specification

• An active Christian, dedicated to representing the values and ethos of Spear and Tabernacle Baptist Church.
• A commitment to grow and learn spiritually and as a Christian leader, and a desire to learn and understand coaching techniques.
• Passion for social justice, especially supporting young people in employment or education.
• Confident communication and interpersonal skills, both over telephone and face to face, particularly in group facilitation.
• An ambitious and self-motivated individual with the ability to prioritise workload, exercise initiative and work well under pressure.
• High emotional intelligence, a sense of humour and fun!

About Spear Bristol North West

Spear Bristol North West is a partnership between Spear Bristol Trust, St Andrew’s Church Avonmouth and Spear.

St Andrew’s Avonmouth 

St Andrew’s Avonmouth is part of the Church of England, and their vision is to play their part in growing God's Kingdom in their local communities and beyond. They are part of the wider Avonside Mission Area which has a bold vision to bring about the social, cultural and spiritual transformation of their communities in partnership with Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit. You can find out more at St Andrew's-St Peter's Church's website.

You would be employed by Spear Bristol Trust, working from St Andrew’s Avonmouth where Spear Bristol North West is a key missional activity. Prayer and worship are embedded into daily working practices, so there is an Occupational Requirement for applicants to be practicing Christians. The Spear team share a belief in a triune God, and we welcome applications from people of all denominations and expressions of Christianity.​ You are welcome to reach out to the Spear recruitment team to discuss this further before applying.

Key Information:

• Salary: £31,000 FTE
• Part-time, 4 days a week - Monday to Thursday
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• A DBS check will be requested in the event of a job offer
• The Spear Programme offers a rewarding opportunity to work with young people, but it requires a dedicated commitment. Due to the term-based nature of the programme (i.e. two consecutive 4-week programmes in autumn, spring and summer), we expect annual leave to be taken between, rather than during terms

Recruitment Process

Application Deadline: 22nd April 2026

Informal Call

Assessment and Interview Day: 28th April 2026

For more information please read through our Job Specification and Work with us pack.

If you require any reasonable adjustments as part of the recruitment process, please let us know.

Person Specification

• An active Christian, dedicated to representing the values of Spear and St Andrew’s Avonmouth. A commitment to grow and learn spiritually and as a Christian leader.
• Passion for social justice, especially supporting young people in employment or education
• A dynamic and engaging individual with an enthusiasm for and experience of group and 1-1 coaching and training.
• An entrepreneurial and ambitious individual who enjoys starting new projects, works well under pressure and can translate ideas into practice with creativity.
• Self-motivated with strong leadership, management and organisational skills with the ability to exercise initiative and prioritise workload.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, high emotional intelligence, and a sense of fun!

About Spear Bristol North West

Spear Bristol North West is a partnership between Spear Bristol Trust, St Andrew’s Church Avonmouth and Spear.

St Andrew’s Avonmouth 

St Andrew’s Avonmouth is part of the Church of England, and their vision is to play their part in growing God's Kingdom in their local communities and beyond. They are part of the wider Avonside Mission Area which has a bold vision to bring about the social, cultural and spiritual transformation of their communities in partnership with Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit. You can find out more at St Andrew's-St Peter's Church's website.

You would be employed by Spear Bristol Trust, working from St Andrew’s Avonmouth where Spear Bristol North West is a key missional activity. Prayer and worship are embedded into daily working practices, so there is an Occupational Requirement for applicants to be practicing Christians. The Spear team share a belief in a triune God, and we welcome applications from people of all denominations and expressions of Christianity.​ You are welcome to reach out to the Spear recruitment team to discuss this further before applying.

Key Information:

• Salary: £25,000 FTE
• Part-time, 3 days a week - Tuesday to Thursday
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• A DBS check will be requested in the event of a job offer
• The Spear Programme offers a rewarding opportunity to work with young people, but it requires a dedicated commitment. Due to the term-based nature of the programme (i.e. two consecutive 4-week programmes in autumn, spring and summer), we expect annual leave to be taken between, rather than during terms

Recruitment Process

Application Deadline: 22nd April 2026

Informal Call

Assessment and Interview Day: 28th April 2026

For more information please read through our Job Specification and Work with us pack.

If you require any reasonable adjustments as part of the recruitment process, please let us know.

Person Specification

• An active Christian, dedicated to representing the values of Spear and St Andrew’s Avonmouth.
• A commitment to grow and learn spiritually and as a Christian leader, and a desire to learn and understand coaching techniques.
• Passion for social justice, especially supporting young people in employment or education.
• Confident communication and interpersonal skills, both over telephone and face to face, particularly in group facilitation.
• An ambitious and self-motivated individual with the ability to prioritise workload, exercise initiative and work well under pressure.
• High emotional intelligence, a sense of humour and fun!

About Spear Stockton

Spear Stockton is a partnership between Spear and Stockton Parish Church!

Stockton Parish Church 
Stockton Parish Church (SPC) is an Anglican Church in the Diocese of Durham located in the centre of Stockton on Tees. Using Church Urban Fund information, the parish is the 30th most deprived parish in the country. Their mission at SPC is: ‘for everyone to know who they are, whose they are, and the difference they are called to make in the world around them’. 

As part of this vision, SPC is committed to the long-term transformation of Stockton, seeking the peace and prosperity of the town for generations to come. This is expressed through a number of initiatives and partnerships, including the development of the Spear Centre. Spear Stockton forms part of this wider strategy, supporting young people into work and education as a key contribution to the flourishing of the local community.

Key Information:

• Salary: from £24,598 - £26,458 FTE
• Part-time, 3 days a week - Tuesday to Thursday
• 25 days annual leave pro rata, including bank holidays
• A DBS check will be requested in the event of a job offer
• The Spear Programme offers a rewarding opportunity to work with young people, but it requires a dedicated commitment. Due to the term-based nature of the programme (i.e. two consecutive 4-week programmes in autumn, spring and summer), we expect annual leave to be taken between, rather than during terms

Recruitment Process

Application Deadline: 28th April 2026

Informal Call

Short Administration Task

Assessment and Interview Day: 5th May 2026

For more information please read through our Job Specification and Work with us pack.

If you require any reasonable adjustments as part of the recruitment process please let us know.

Person Specification

• Passionate and committed to the vision, values, and purpose of SPC and Spear.
• Self aware and teachable with the ability to accept feedback and change working 
  practices as a result.
• Experience of managing responsibilities independently, including prioritising workload and using initiative.
• Experience of building positive relationships and supporting individuals to make progress towards goals. 
• Good organisational skills with the ability to operate as a team member.
• Strong communication including written and verbal communication.
• Friendly, with the ability to build positive relationships and relate well to people from a range of backgrounds.

About Spear Norwich

Spear Norwich is a partnership between Spear and East Church Norwich!

East Church Norwich

Their vision is to play their part in sharing and reaching the East of England with the good news of Jesus. They are a large and growing church, one church, yet formed of multiple parishes across the city of Norwich. They are a family, journeying through life together, seeking to love God, to love each other, and to love those around us, as we gather and scatter. They gather on Sundays, as groups, communities, teams, and as family to worship, pray, and to open God's word, and to be filled over and over again with the Holy Spirit. They gather to connect with one another, to have fun, and to encourage each other along the way. They then scatter, to play their part in the mission that God calls us to, empowered by his Spirit to live everyday, supernatural lives for him.

Spear is at the very forefront of their mission to bring life through Jesus to all. They believe that every person, whether young or old, has a unique call on their life, and they want to see each person find the purpose for which they have been created. Find out more on their website.

You would be employed by East Church with Spear Norwich as a key missional activity. Prayer and worship are embedded into daily working practices, so there is an Occupational Requirement for applicants to be practicing Christians. You are welcome to reach out to the Spear recruitment team to discuss further before applying, although Spear will also provide an informal conversation to discuss East Church's theology early on in the application process.

Key Information:

• Salary: from £22,400 - £25,600 FTE
• Part-time, 3 days a week – Tuesday to Thursday
• 25 days annual leave pro rata, including bank holidays
• A DBS check will be requested in the event of a job offer
• The Spear Programme offers a rewarding opportunity to work with young people, but it requires a dedicated commitment. Due to the term-based nature of the programme (i.e. two consecutive 6-week programmes in autumn, spring and summer), we expect annual leave to be taken between, rather than during terms

Recruitment Process

Application Deadline: Monday 13th April, 5pm

Informal Call

Short Administration Task

Assessment and Interview Day: Monday 20th April

For more information please read through our Job Specification and Work with us pack.

If you require any reasonable adjustments as part of the recruitment process please let us know.

Person Specification

• An active Christian, dedicated to representing the values and ethos of Spear and East Church.
• A commitment to grow and learn spiritually and as a Christian leader, and a desire to learn and understand coaching techniques.
• Passion for social justice, especially supporting young people in employment or education
• Confident communication and interpersonal skills, both over telephone and face to face, particularly in group facilitation.
• An ambitious and self-motivated individual with the ability to prioritise workload, exercise initiative and work well under pressure.
• High emotional intelligence, a sense of humour and fun!

About Spear Norwich

Spear Norwich is a partnership between Spear and East Church Norwich!

East Church Norwich

Their vision is to play their part in sharing and reaching the East of England with the good news of Jesus. They are a large and growing church, one church, yet formed of multiple parishes across the city of Norwich. They are a family, journeying through life together, seeking to love God, to love each other, and to love those around us, as we gather and scatter. They gather on Sundays, as groups, communities, teams, and as family to worship, pray, and to open God's word, and to be filled over and over again with the Holy Spirit. They gather to connect with one another, to have fun, and to encourage each other along the way. They then scatter, to play their part in the mission that God calls us to, empowered by his Spirit to live everyday, supernatural lives for him.
 

Spear is at the very forefront of their mission to bring life through Jesus to all. They believe that every person, whether young or old, has a unique call on their life, and they want to see each person find the purpose for which they have been created. Find out more on their website.

You would be employed by East Church with Spear Norwich as a key missional activity. Prayer and worship are embedded into daily working practices, so there is an Occupational Requirement for applicants to be practicing Christians. You are welcome to reach out to the Spear recruitment team to discuss further before applying, although Spear will also provide an informal conversation to discuss East Church's theology early on in the application process.

Key Information:

• Salary: from £28,000 - £32,000 FTE
• Part-time, 4 days a week - Monday to Thursday
• 25 days annual leave pro rata, including bank holidays
• A DBS check will be requested in the event of a job offer
• The Spear Programme offers a rewarding opportunity to work with young people, but it requires a dedicated commitment. Due to the term-based nature of the programme (i.e. two consecutive 4-week programmes in autumn, spring and summer), we expect annual leave to be taken between, rather than during terms

Recruitment Process

Application Deadline: Monday 13th April, 5pm

Informal Call

Short Administration Task

Assessment and Interview Day: Monday 20th April

For more information please read through our Job Specification and Work with us pack.

If you require any reasonable adjustments as part of the recruitment process please let us know.

Person Specification

• An active Christian, dedicated to representing the values and ethos of Spear and East Church. A commitment to grow and learn spiritually and as a Christian leader.
• Passion for social justice, especially supporting young people in employment or education
• A dynamic and engaging individual with an enthusiasm for and experience of group and 1-1 coaching and training.
• An entrepreneurial and ambitious individual who enjoys starting new projects, works well under pressure and can translate ideas into practice with creativity.
• Self-motivated with strong leadership, management and organisational skills with the ability to exercise initiative and prioritise workload.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, high emotional intelligence, and a sense of fun!

About Spear Stockton

Spear Stockton is a partnership between Spear and Stockton Parish Church!

Stockton Parish Church 
Stockton Parish Church (SPC) is an Anglican Church in the Diocese of Durham located in the centre of Stockton on Tees. Using Church Urban Fund information, the parish is the 30th most deprived parish in the country. Their mission at SPC is: ‘for everyone to know who they are, whose they are, and the difference they are called to make in the world around them’. 

As part of this vision, SPC is committed to the long-term transformation of Stockton, seeking the peace and prosperity of the town for generations to come. This is expressed through a number of initiatives and partnerships, including the development of the Spear Centre. Spear Stockton forms part of this wider strategy, supporting young people into work and education as a key contribution to the flourishing of the local community.

Key Information:

• Salary: from £27,088 - £31,691 FTE
• Part-time, 4 days a week - Monday to Thursday
• 25 days annual leave pro rata, including bank holidays
• A DBS check will be requested in the event of a job offer
• The Spear Programme offers a rewarding opportunity to work with young people, but it requires a dedicated commitment. Due to the term-based nature of the programme (i.e. two consecutive 4-week programmes in autumn, spring and summer), we expect annual leave to be taken between, rather than during terms

Recruitment Process

Application Deadline: 28th April 2026

Informal Call

Short Administration Task

Assessment and Interview Day: 5th May 2026

For more information please read through our Job Specification and Work with us pack.

If you require any reasonable adjustments as part of the recruitment process please let us know.

Person Specification

• Passionate and committed to the vision, values, and purpose of SPC and Spear.
• Self aware and teachable with the ability to accept feedback and change working 
  practices as a result.
• Experience in leading, motivating and developing others, including line management or informal leadership experience.
• Experience of managing a varied workload independently, using initiative to solve problems and prioritise effectively.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage workload, prioritise effectively and deliver outcomes against targets.
• Strong communication including written and verbal communication.
• Friendly, with the ability to build positive relationships and relate well to young people from a range of backgrounds.

About Spear Cheltenham

In Cheltenham Spear is partnered with Trinity Cheltenham!

Their vision is to make committed followers of Jesus who can change communities and nations for Him, and their values seek to express living in response to God, modelling authentic community, and embracing God’s adventure. Spear Cheltenham has been running successfully for over 3 years, and their heart and vision is to see an increase in the number of trainees per cohort and expand their geographic reach.

Key Information:

• You will be employed by Trinity Church Cheltenham
• Salary: from £31,639 to £34,390 pa depending on experience
• Full-time, Permanent
• Closing date: Tuesday 14th April, 09.00am (we interview on a rolling basis and may close the role early if we find the right candidate)

For more information please read through our Job Specification and Work with us pack.

If you require any reasonable adjustments as part of the recruitment process, please let us know.

Person Specification

• An active Christian that is committed to grow and learn spiritually as a Christian leader and represent the values and ethos of the Spear charity and Trinity Cheltenham. 
• Dynamic and engaging coach with an enthusiasm for and direct experience of coaching and training techniques.
• Passion for social justice and for working as part of the church to transform communities, especially supporting young people in employment or education.
• An entrepreneurial and ambitious individual who enjoys starting new projects, works well under pressure and can translate ideas into practice with creativity.
• Self-motivated with strong leadership, management and organisational skills with the ability to exercise initiative and prioritise workload.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a confidence in group facilitation, high emotional intelligence, and a sense of fun!

About Spear Islington

Spear is working in partnership with Hope Church Islington to deliver the Spear Programme in Islington!

The church’s vision is to bring hope, light, and life to the community of Islington, including in, bringing healing and wholeness to the people of their parish, supporting the vulnerable, oppressed and voiceless in their midst, and providing safe and inclusive spaces for the diverse community that they are a part of.

Spear is a dynamic, growing youth employment charity that coaches young people to overcome barriers and thrive in work and life.

Key Information:

• Salary: from £34,000
• Full-time - Monday to Friday
• 28 days annual leave (including Christmas gift days) plus bank holidays
• Closing date: Wednesday 15th April (we interview on a rolling basis and may close the role early if we find the right candidate)

For more information please read through our Job Specification and Work with us pack.

If you require any reasonable adjustments as part of the recruitment process, please let us know.

Person Specification

• You are an active Christian, passionate about your work being a lived expression of your faith 
• You want to help others reach their full potential, and enable young people to overcome significant barriers to employment 
• You have demonstrable experience in coaching, teaching or training and development, as well as being keen to develop these skills further
• You are an experienced and mature leader/line manager, or have great leadership potential, and are eager to bring out the best in your team
• You are confident building relationships with a variety of stakeholders, with effective written and verbal communication skills 
• You are looking for a varied, hands-on role, where you won't be tied to a desk 

About Us

The founder and sponsor of the Harris Federation, Lord Harris of Peckham, opened our first school in 1990. We have, over the past thirty years, implemented ideas and initiatives that have transformed the opportunities of pupils from working class and disadvantaged backgrounds. Harris academies are widely recognised as a force for social mobility. We are immensely proud of the role that our alumni are now beginning to play in the world and of what we believe our current generation of pupils will go on to achieve.

We now have over 50 schools educating more than 40,000 young people across London and Essex, and employ over 5,000 staff across our academies and head office. With the majority of our academies located in areas of high socioeconomic disadvantage, a high-quality education is key to the futures of the pupils we serve.

As a provider of employment and education, we value the diversity of our staff and students, and all our staff are equally valued and respected. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment for our students and staff.

Our work will impact many generations to come, and our staff come from all backgrounds and walks of life, coming together to inspire young minds. We promote an inclusive culture that embraces the valuable and enriching contribution that all of our community make. We continue to be proactive in uplifting and supporting all voices at Harris.

To discover more about our culture, ethos and what it is like to work here, visit the  page.

Summary

We have an opportunity for a Marketing Specialist Apprentice to support the Central Quadrant of Harris secondary academies, helping to identify, attract and engage our communities.

Working with the Assistant Director and Principals from the Quadrant, you will have the opportunity to support with our Academy marketing strategies, including social media channels, newsletters, events and create graphic designs, images and videos for both organic and paid campaigns. You will also work with the Federation Talent Attraction Partner.

This is an apprentice role with a fixed-term duration of 18 months. Your learning will be supported by the completion of the Multi-Channel Marketer Level 3 apprenticeship programme.

The Central Quadrant academies are based in Southwark, Lambeth, Wandsworth, Croydon and Bromley and the successful candidate will be part of the academy team. We can be flexible on your base academy within the Central Quadrant.

Main Areas of Responsibility

Your responsibilities will include:

• Developing and implementing marketing and communications strategies, primarily focussing on student and staff recruitment and improving brand awareness
• Designing and generating mixed media content for use on academy websites and relevant social media to increase brand awareness and drive engagement
• Managing day-to-day social media posting and platforms
• Helping to develop compelling campaigns that resonate with our target audiences
• Ensuring brand consistency across all communications and external media
• Writing, editing, proofreading and publishing press releases and academy newsletters
• Monitoring and adjusting campaigns to meet budget and performance objectives
• Using data analysis tools to record, interpret, and analyse campaign performance, and creating and delivering actionable reports driven by these insights
• Conducting ongoing research into audiences, preferences and trends
• Researching and generating ideas to maximise audience engagement
• Performing keyword research to identify trends and develop content which improves SEO, discoverability, and engagement
• Using industry standard packages to edit content
• Photographing and videoing events and activities at the Academy and cataloguing and maintaining the Academy digital photo library

Qualifications & Experience

We would like to hear from you if you:

• Are skilled in writing tailored messages for different audiences
• Are a creative thinker with the capacity to create engaging campaigns
• Take ownership and deliver consistently high standards of work
• Are able to write clear and concise briefs for design and digital projects
• Are open to working in an AI-driven environment and improving processes
• Can demonstrate excellent interpersonal, written and spoken communication and presentation skills
• Have an innovative mindset and approach to tackling problems
• Have the ability to understand and discuss technical concepts
• Are a solution orientated individual who likes to work in an evidence-based approach
• Are able to multitask and work on multiple projects whilst prioritising objectives

Professional Development & Benefits

Our people are at the heart of our success. We have developed a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of top-quality training programmes delivered at every level.

In addition to the opportunities for career development and progression, we also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package which includes our Harris Allowance for teachers on MPS/UPS, a Performance and Loyalty Bonus, Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions, a Wellbeing Cash Plan and many other benefits. Learn more about on our website.

Safeguarding Notice

The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, references, an online search, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed.

Equal Opportunities

The Harris Federation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

We value the diversity of our staff and students, and everyone at the Harris Federation is equally valued and respected. We aim to be an inclusive employer that reflects the communities we serve. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment.

Next Steps

If you have any questions about this opportunity, please send us an email, or call to arrange a conversation.

Before applying, please download the Job Pack for full details on the job responsibilities and person specification. This will be helpful for you when completing your application, and throughout the recruitment process.

We encourage you to apply as soon as possible as we may interview and offer to a candidate before the closing date. Please note that we only accept applications submitted before the closing date via our careers website.

About the role

As Spear expands its reach across the North, our Northern Development Coach will focus on two things: equipping young people facing barriers to employment with the confidence, mindset and skills to move into sustainable work, and developing the coaches around you to do the same.

To do this, you will work across Spear Centres throughout the region - delivering coaching sessions directly with 16–24-year-olds as well as supporting and upskilling Spear Centre teams

Key information:

• Salary: from £27,000
• Full-time, 12-14 month Fixed Term Contract, with the possibility of extension
• 28 days annual leave (including Christmas gift days) plus bank holidays (pro rata)
• Closing date: Monday 13th April, 09.00am (we interview on a rolling basis and will close the role early if we find the right candidate)

For more information please read through our Job Specification and Work with Us Pack.

If you require any reasonable adjustments as part of the recruitment process, please let us know.

Person Specifiction

• A practising Christian, passionate about personally representing the values and beliefs of Spear, and our mission to equip and support young people facing barriers to employment
• Demonstrable experience as a coach, or a background in youth work or teaching, and are keen to develop these skills further
• A heart for young people and releasing their potential, no matter what challenging circumstances they are facing
• Effective interpersonal skills and high emotional intelligence with a sense of humour and fun
• Exercises initiative, highly self-motivated, flexible and a forward planner
• Good administrative and organisational skills, and prioritises workload effectively
• Works well under pressure with the ability to exercise initiative

If this sounds like you, then our four-month (7th September to 18th December 2026), salaried Grant Fundraising Traineeship might be the perfect opportunity for you.

Chell Perkins is looking for four individuals with excellent writing skills who want to learn how to fundraise from grantmakers. 

Our industry-leading paid traineeship (monthly equivalent of a £24,792 annual salary) will see you writing grant applications for multiple charities and gaining a recognised certificate with education credits towards CFRE to kickstart your fundraising career. There are up to four vacancies at Chell Perkins, and at the end of the course trainees will be eligible to apply for a permanent position.

“This programme has been an amazing opportunity to work with so many different clients, and constantly learn new skills on the job. I have learned so much.” Junior Fundraiser, 2022

This immersive programme is home-based with quality training and plenty of support from other experienced fundraisers.

“The hands-on training opportunities that come with a role at Chell Perkins are invaluable for anyone who is looking to get into fundraising. I don't think you could find a more immersive and rewarding experience in the charity sector anywhere else!” Junior Fundraiser, 2022

Why Chell Perkins?

At the end of our Grant Fundraising Traineeship, you will be a confident and capable fundraiser. But there’s much more to the scheme than that. The Chell Perkins team are a great bunch of people to work with. We really care about our partner charities and YOUR future. Our supportive and empowering work culture will enable you to realise your own potential.

“This programme is truly unique and rewarding. I recommend it to anyone thinking of beginning a fundraising career.” Junior Fundraiser, 2020

Client mix

Candidates should be aware that at present, 70% of our partner charities come from a Christian background (churches or Christian charities). While it is not a requirement to be Christian, candidates must be happy to write for a faith-based audience.

Applications

This role is home-based; however, you may occasionally be required to work from client sites across the UK.

For more details about this opportunity, contact us and request a copy of the Job Description & Person Specification document.

Interviews will be held in the week commencing 4th May 2026 for positions starting on 7th September 2026.

If our Grant Fundraising Traineeship sounds like it could be a perfect fit for you, why not apply? We look forward to hearing from you!

To apply for this role, please complete our job application and email it to us with a recent CV and a covering letter. In your covering letter, we are looking for:

• Evidence of strong written communication skills
• Passion for the third sector, and in particular fundraising
• Ability to write persuasively
• Evidence that you have carefully researched the role and our organisation.

Click 'how to apply' below for the email address to send your application to, and for more information on the role and person specification.

A note about generative AI use

As an agency we are not against the use of AI to research or help improve the quality of your application. However, we strongly advise against using AI to generate copy for you. Last year, over 40 applications contained sections with identical wording, due to the use of generative AI. As a result, we could not get to know the applicants from their writing, and subsequently had to reject all of these applications.