Community Development Lead (Pilot Project)

While the buildings of Barton Park are going up, the community infrastructure is still catching up. We believe that a true sense of belonging is vital for good mental health. Our school is launching an exciting 20-week pilot project to transform our school community hall into a vibrant daytime hub where local residents can connect, socialise, and thrive.

We are looking for an outgoing, self-motivated, and creative Community Development Lead to spearhead this pilot. You will be the bridge between our school and the wider estate, focusing particularly on supporting single parents, young families, and those new to the country.

The Role:

• Research & Connect: Talk to parents, residents, and local partners to find out what classes and support groups they want.

• Launch & Run: Establish a weekly community drop-in cafe/session and help set up activities like pre-school playgroups or conversational language classes.

• Promote: Run a hyper-local marketing campaign using social media (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok), WhatsApp groups, leafleting, and banners.

What skills / experience are required

Essential Experience, knowledge and skills

Experience working with the public, community groups, or in a customer-facing role.

Experience using social media platforms effectively.

Understanding of the barriers faced by isolated groups (e.g., single parents, new immigrants).

Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Self-motivated with the ability to work independently.

Highly organised with good IT and administrative skills.

Commitment to safeguarding, health & safety, and data protection.

Desirable Experience, knowledge and skills

Experience in community development, networking, or project management.

Experience working within a school or community charity setting.

Experience of a system such as “Buffer” to schedule social media posts.

Knowledge of the Barton / Oxford local community landscape and local partners.

Ability to analyse basic data (tracking attendance and feedback.

What We Offer:

• A dedicated office space in the school building with limited administrative support and the friendship of a great school staff.

• Direct weekly development meetings with the Headteacher and School Business Manager.

• A chance to shape a project from the ground up—if this pilot succeeds, we intend to bid for long-term National Lottery funding to extend the role.

Education has the power to change lives, communities and society for the better. At RLT we believe that we can achieve more for our pupils, trainees, staff and communities by working together rather than alone. Schools in RLT are united by a common belief in the benefits of working together, and by our commitment to shared principles.

OUR VISION is for our schools and SCITT to improve rapidly, continuously and sustainably: to be better faster together.

OUR ‘WHY?’ is that children and young people ‘only get one go’ in school and therefore as part of RLT we aim to ensure the best possible ‘go’ for our pupils.

OUR ‘HOW?’ is through the highest support and challenge for our schools and each other, underpinned by our principles.

Our employees benefit from a wide variety of support including extensive continuing professional learning and development opportunities, wellbeing and staff networks and access to Defined Benefit Pension Schemes (TPS and LGPS) for all staff. For more information on what it is like to work for the Trust, and the benefits you could access, please see our “Working in RLT” guide.

This role includes regulated activity relevant to children.

The school reserves the right to consider and interview candidates ahead of the closing date if appropriate. An offer may be made to an exceptional candidate in this instance.

If you would like to have a confidential conversation with Bryony McCraw, about the role, prior to application, then please email bmccraw@bartonparkprimary.org or telephone 01865 415800

The River Learning Trust and Barton Park Primary School are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and preventing extremism. The Trust is required to conduct a variety of checks and online searches about you as part of their recruitment process in accordance with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance. It is an offence to apply for certain roles within schools if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.

For all RLT Safer Recruitment Documentation candidates should click on the following link RLT Safer Recruitment Documents for Candidates. Please see our website for up to date policies including our Child Protection and Behaviour Policies.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020. For further guidance for applicants click on this link List of offences that are not filtered