School partnership area director jobs in Bristol

About Us

Learning with Parents supports all families to have positive learning interactions together. We drive inclusive parental engagement by partnering with schools and leading the sector through learning what works.

By partnering with primary schools, we support thousands of families across the UK to enjoy learning together at home. Our child-led videos and hands-on family activities replace traditional homework. Through behavioural insight research, innovative technology and teacher training we ensure that as many families as possible are supported effectively.

We are working to improve parental engagement across the sector, by producing evidence of parents’ impact and generating insights into how schools can best support them. Learnings are disseminated through the Parental Engagement Forum and amplified through the Fair Education Alliance.

About the Role

One of Learning with Parents’ objectives over the next five years is to evidence how best to drive inclusive parental engagement. We are looking for an individual with experience in monitoring and evaluation to join our team. 

The Evaluation Manager will be responsible for evaluating our programmes to capture the impact we have, inform improvements internally and share insights externally. The role will begin with implementing an existing evaluation plan and develop into leading improvements and innovations in our evaluation strategy.  It will involve primary research, such as leading focus groups in schools, as well as analysis of quantitative and qualitative data generated by our platform and surveys of parents and teachers. It will also involve reporting this data and supporting others to do so. The Evaluation Manager will be responsible for maintaining tools and processes around evaluation and ensuring strong internal and external communications of findings. 

This is a role which involves extensive collaboration across different internal teams and with external stakeholders such as schools and funders.

Areas of Responsibility 

Evaluation design and planning 

• Improve, develop and innovate on existing evaluation strategies to better capture our impact and the voices of our stakeholders – school leaders, teachers, parents and children.

• Liaise with project leads to ensure that evaluation is planned into projects from the start.

• Liaise with the Programme Director to ensure evaluations are planned in tandem with strategic thinking about parent voice.

• Liaise with the fundraising team to ensure that reporting commitments to donors are planned into evaluations.

• Provide evaluation support with strategic partnerships.

• Collaborate with an external evaluator if appointed in future.

• Feed into future evaluation strategies. 

Primary research and conducting evaluations

• Analyse and present insights from platform data – both qualitative and quantitative.

• Conduct focus groups in schools and online with groups of parents, teachers or school leaders.

• Conduct individual case study interviews with parents and teachers or support other colleagues to do so. 

• Conduct evaluation activities with primary aged children in school.

• Analyse and write up collected data, including qualitative feedback from surveys, interview and focus group data. 

• With the schools team, manage the logistics for evaluation visits, such as arranging dates with schools and designing recruitment materials.

Processes and internal communication

• Maintain communication processes to ensure everyone is up to date and can access the information they need.

• Ensure project management software is kept up to date with details of evaluation activity. 

• Monitor and regularly report on progress in measuring our evaluation indicators. 

• Work with the Tech team to refine processes for managing data which adhere to UK GDPR and best practice in data management and ensure maximum usability of the data.

Evaluation tools and resources

• Develop or refine existing data collections tools. 

• Explore new opportunities and methodologies for capturing child voice and the voices of parents who may typically be underrepresented in research.

• Act as an inhouse technical resource to support the wider team with monitoring and evaluation-based queries 

• Review and routinely update supporting documents such as consent forms.

• Keep abreast of trends and innovations in the wider evaluation sector, identifying new opportunities and approaches for us to explore

Supporting Programme Evaluations

• Support the leads of individual projects to develop project level evaluation plans as required, ensuring that these are integrated into overarching plans, have a Theory of Change and adhere to ethics and data protection protocols.

• Develop or refine existing data collections tools to meet project needs and support with data collection, analysis and write up as required.

Dissemination

• Ensure that findings and learning from evaluations are consistently and robustly documented.

• Ensure evaluation findings are logged and shared internally to inform future programme design and development. 

• In partnership with the fundraising and communications team, create additional versions of evaluation reports for specific audiences. 

• In partnership with project leads, ensure feedback is shared with all stakeholders.

About You 

A successful Evaluation Manager will be able to work across multiple teams to ensure the quality and cohesion of evaluation work.  They will be committed to support the charity’s growth and impact. 

Our ideal candidate would also be able to provide examples of when they have used the following skills and experience: 

• Experience of research or evaluation, including using a range of data collection tools, analysing either qualitative or quantitative data (or both), report writing and sharing findings in a range of accessible and engaging formats.

• Experience designing evaluations and an understanding of the importance of adhering to ethics and data protection protocols. 

• Experience of managing projects which involve multiple stakeholders. 

• Excellent communication skills, in person and in writing. 

• Excellent attention to detail, whether in data analysis or written communication.

• Confidence working with a range of stakeholders, including children and families, and experience developing and maintaining relationships

• Excellent organisational skills and ability to work both independently and collaboratively.

• Interest in and understanding of educational inequality in the UK.

• A desire to champion and uphold our organisation’s vision, mission and values.

Our ideal candidate might also be able to provide examples of when they have used  some of the following skills and experience, although these are not essential: 

• Experience working in evaluation at another third sector organisation

• Experience working within the UK education system, either in schools or in other organisations working in the space such as charities or suppliers

• Familiarity with the primary school curriculum and current issues in the primary education sector.

• An understanding of the challenges of identifying and engaging families who are typically underrepresented in research.

• An understanding of the challenges of conducting evaluations in a busy school environment, why safeguarding is important in this context and how it may impact the design of evaluations based in schools.

Our Values 

Our Learning with Parents values are key to how we work and inform our strategy, programme, and how we collaborate.

Ambition - We strive do more for the families, schools and organisations we work with

Collaboration - We value the voices of others and achieve more by working together

Exploration - We are curious and seek evidence to inform our work

Innovation - We test, learn, adapt and embrace failure in our pursuit of progress

Integrity - We act responsibly and honestly, and default to transparency

Supportive environment - We work to create an environment which supports growth, belonging and wellbeing for everyone 

Benefits

We have a passionate team and supportive culture. We have supportive policies and offer a number of benefits including:

• Generous annual leave allowance (35 days, including bank holidays)

• Your birthday off and additional holiday reward for every year employed with us (up to five days pro rata)

• Enhanced maternity, paternity and family-related leave policy from day one

• Income protection in case of sickness

• Flexible working times

• Social events

• Environmental (Net Zero) Pension

• Cycle to work scheme

• Benefit Hub, including virtual GP and discount scheme

To Apply 

Submit a CV and answer the following questions through our site by Sunday 15th February:

• Why do you want to work for Learning with Parents? (no more than 300 words)

• Why do you want the role of Evaluation Manager? (no more than 300 words)

• What skills or experience do you have that would make you a good candidate for this role at Learning with Parents? (no more than 500 words)

Your questions will initially be assessed without reference to your personal details or CV so please include all relevant information in your responses. These will be scored by multiple reviewers using a scoring matrix. Please refer to our AI in recruitment policy for guidance.

First round interviews will be online the week commencing 23rd February. Second round interviews will be in person, at our Bristol offices, in the week beginning 2nd March.

We think it is important that our charity reflects the lived experience of our beneficiaries, and we want to be an organisation where employees and supporters from any background can thrive. 

We particularly welcome applications from candidates with lived experience of disability, candidates from Black, Asian or other minority ethnic groups, Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans, including non-binary (LGBTQ+) candidates, and candidates from disadvantaged communities. These groups are currently underrepresented at Learning with Parents, and we are committed to increasing representation and diversity internally at the charity.

Due to the nature of our work with young people, on acceptance of offers all Learning with Parents employees are subject to a DBS check in accordance with Safeguarding Policies and offers will also be subject to reference checks. 

Please note, travel for data collection from our partner schools across the country will be required. This is likely to be between three to six times a year. Additional travel may be required to share findings with stakeholders, primarily based in London.

Nb: This piece of recruitment is rolling and may close at any time.

In recent years OTR has seen a significant increase in demand for our youth mental health services and we now reach over 17,000 young people each year. We are seeking a Head of Finance to oversee our (circa) £3m annual budget and to ensure that our finance operation is efficient and effective. This role will lead OTR’s finance function and, as well as having responsibility for day-to-day financial processes, will be a key member of the organisation’s senior leadership team (SLT). The role will involve providing financial insight to the SLT and Board of Trustees to improve understanding and inform strategic decision making. Examples of this will include analysing the financial performance of different activities of the organisation and preparing budget and forecast information. 

We are looking for an individual with demonstrable experience in a finance management role which includes a strategic focus, preferably in the voluntary sector. The successful candidate will be a flexible and meticulous individual who is able to present complex information to a range of audiences. Equally important is a strong personal interest in and commitment to the mental health and wellbeing of young people.

To find out more about the role please download the job pack. If you would like an informal chat about the role, please email the main contact as listed in the job pack

To apply for this role click the 'Apply now' button

We welcome applications from all sections of the community and are committed to developing a team that reflects the diversity of the people we work with

Safeguarding:

OTR is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff, trustees, and volunteers to share this commitment.

As part of our Safer Recruitment practices, all roles involving contact with young people will be subject to robust pre-employment checks, including references, a full employment history, and an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Where applicable, overseas criminal record checks will also be required.

We are dedicated to creating a culture of vigilance, transparency, and accountability. Our safeguarding procedures are guided by the principle that the welfare of the child is paramount, and all staff are required to adhere to OTR’s Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy. 

OTR & Benefits:

OTR is a mental health social movement by and for young people. The charity is at an exciting stage of its 59-year history and is proud to be reaching more young people than ever before (around 17,000) across Bristol, South Gloucestershire, and North Somerset with creative and diverse mental health and wellbeing info and support. 

Our approach to mental health is grounded in a set of beliefs and values that underpin all of our work. We believe in celebrating diversity, empowering and mobilising young people to make change, and that catering to the unique strengths, interests and circumstances surrounding young people is key. Our approach centres on collaboration and partnership, building relationships between individuals, peers and communities. 

Each day is as engaging and fulfilling as the last, and with a network of supportive, community minded people, we hope you’ll feel welcome here. As a thank you, we like to compensate our employees for the important work they do with a range of benefits including a flexible leave policy, healthcare cost and wellbeing assistance with HealthShield, flexible and hybrid working arrangements, enhanced sick pay, parental leave, training and development, social and wellbeing events, and more (subject to contractual terms and conditions). 

A Willingness to Work with Difference 

At OTR, whatever your role or professional background, you will be expected to work in a way that is anti-oppressive and inclusive. A key focus for OTR is to develop an organisation that is inclusive for all but we do not claim to be experts in this. We are committed to continuous learning and improvement in these areas and invite you to join us on this journey. 

OTR recognises the benefits to individual practice and organisational credibility of having a diverse community of staff and volunteers and to this end is continually working towards building and maintaining an environment which values and pursues diversity accordingly. 

We recognise that tackling systemic inequality, prejudice, racism and oppressive practice requires each of us to actively engage, self-examine and make changes where necessary, in order to improve access and equitable experience for all in society and all of those who come through our doors at OTR.