Platform Learning Development Officer
Job Description
An exciting opportunity to join a dynamic team developing and delivering a rail-education scheme connecting schools and young people to the rail industry through workshops, train-trips, and bespoke, local resources.
Platform is an education programme for five Community Rail Partnerships (TransWilts, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, Severnside and South Wessex). Community Rail Partnerships (CRPs) bring together local groups and partners along railway lines to work with the rail industry to deliver a range of community engagement and promotional activities.
They promote understanding of the importance of local railways, in terms of improving mobility and sustainable travel, community cohesion and wellbeing, and social and economic development.
Platform helps teachers to build their students’ knowledge of rail-safety, their understanding of sustainable and healthy travel, and their confidence in using trains.
Main duties and responsibilities:
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Deliver in-school workshops and assemblies tailored to the needs of students and schools using appropriate engagement and behaviour management techniques.
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Recognise that most of the role involves working on site at schools, on trains and at stations which can necessitate early starts as we cover a large region (wherever possible travel will be via train and a train pass will be issued).
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Confidently deliver rail familiarisation education sessions – including safety briefings – at stations, on trains, and wherever relevant.
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Develop, edit and adjust workshops routinely.
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Be the principal contact for schools in the lead up to their trips, design itineraries and book future trips.
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Take responsibility for filling bookings and meeting targets by conducting targeted marketing.
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Shadow colleagues from Platform and Community Rail and embed good practice into their own workshops.
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Liaise with stakeholders including teachers, school staff, train operating companies and staff at stations to ensure the smooth operation of a trip.
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Contribute to risk assessment planning for school trips and workshops and follow safeguarding procedures. Adhere to meticulous safety protocol when travelling by train and at stations.
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Gather feedback from students and teachers at the end of workshops and train trips using QR code stickers and Impact surveys.
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On non-delivery days, plan, research and create curriculum-linked learning resources across KS1 to KS3 (may only be 1 or 2 days a month)
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Generate ideas for innovative and exciting lessons that meet curriculum objectives, and link to the rail industry/local areas.
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Gather meaningful data and use it to influence reports.
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Contribute to website and social media content.
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Use MS Outlook and calendar function to keep track of activities and visits.
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Use our Impact system to log data on school engagement after every event.
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Use Safe HR system to log working hours.
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When appropriate, present at events/network meetings, promoting the scheme.
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Attend mentoring and networks with other CRN education professionals.
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Provide high levels of customer service at all times.
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Attend conferences as requested.
Knowledge and Experience:
Essential
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Significant experience in, and enthusiasm for, delivering primary and/or secondary curriculum-led educational sessions in an inspiring and motivating way.
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Clear understanding and experience of the education sector.
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Ability to work supportively, empathetically and flexibly with teachers, school staff and young people.
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Knowledge of Safeguarding procedures and KCSIE.
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Experience of delivering off-site learning, such as school trips or visits with community groups.
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Experience of using data to inform future actions.
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Experience of writing, or contributing to, risk assessments.
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Confidence to approach schools by telephone, in person and via email to market the scheme in order to reach scheme targets. Represent the scheme at community and networking events.
Desirable
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Experience of creating thought-provoking teaching resources.
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Experience of working with learners with additional needs and/or disabilities.
Skills and Aptitudes
Essential
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Well-organised, clear and confident communicator, able to present to a wide variety of audiences.
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Excellent personal time management and reliability.
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The ability to meet deadlines and work in a calm and effective manner.
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Ability to work as a competent and effective team member, including remote working.
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Excellent IT skills including knowledge of MS Office.
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A willingness to learn new applications and technology as appropriate.
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A preparedness to work flexibly, including variation in the working day or evening and weekend work for key events.
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Ability to maintain databases and use data to provide evidence, feedback and data for reporting and to inform future content
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Willingness to travel across the scheme area, using the rail travel pass provided
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High levels of customer service skills used to provide excellent experiences for all involved in the scheme.
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Ability to demonstrate knowledge and/or experience of equality and diversity issues.
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Commitment to inclusion and an ability to remove barriers for learners.
Desirable
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Knowledge and understanding of pedagogy, successful teaching strategies, and approaches to behaviour management.
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Experience using social media platforms.
Qualifications
Essential
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Hold a Qualified Teaching Qualification
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A current first aid certificate or willingness to do the training.
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Driving licence, with access to a car for occasions where travelling by train isn’t viable.
Desirable
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Additional qualifications and evidence of CPD, such as a qualification in SEN
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Candidates with a range of specialisms considered, but we especially welcome applications from candidates with a specialism in STEM subjects or creative arts.
Additional information about this post
Location
We have two Learning Development Officer positions available,
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Devon and South Somerset. Candidate ideally located close to Exeter stations, to deliver the programme to schools around rail routes across Devon and South Somerset
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Wiltshire and Dorset. Candidate ideally located close to Westbury station, to deliver the programme to schools around rail routes to Weymouth and Swindon
A valid drivers license and access to a car is essential for this role.
Hours – On occasion there may be the need for flexible working including specific events, covering a colleague, or leading longer train trips. Some of these may occasionally be outside of usual office hours and TOIL will be allocated.
We try to maintain a regular non delivery day each week which is either a Monday or a Friday. These days will be a combination of working from home or attending in person team meetings, training events, and other non delivery requirements.
Contract information
The Devon and South Somerset post is a fixed term contact 1st September 2026 - 31st July 2027. This post has the potential of extending depending on future funding.
The Wiltshire and Dorset post is maternity cover starting 1st September 2026 for up to 12 months or until the postholder returns.
This position is subject to a DBS check.
Salary: £32,916
This role is full time, five days per week with access to an Employee Assistance Programme.
Application information
Deadline for applications 18th May 2026
Please note we will be interviewing as suitable candidates apply and therefore we encourage you to apply for this position early. We reserve the right to close the job if we find a suitable candidate before the application deadline.
Should you be shortlisted we will contact you to arrange an online interview
To apply for this position please email your CV and a covering letter outlining your suitability for the position against the above criteria. All applicants are requested to complete our equality and diversity monitoring form and return as part of your application. Completion of this form is voluntary and will not affect your application.
For more information regarding this position, and to apply, please contact Jo Taylor manager@raileducation.org.uk