Ofsted

Ofsted 

Locations: Birmingham, Bristol 

Salary: £31,496  

Number of places: 1 

About Ofsted 

Ofsted is the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills. We inspect and regulate services that care for children and young people, and services providing education and skills for learners of all ages. 

Every week, we carry out hundreds of inspections and regulatory visits throughout England and publish the results online. We also report on standards across the country and are accountable directly to Parliament. Ofsted’s inspections are independent and impartial. 

The Apprenticeship role: 

This role is based in Ofsted’s Research and Evaluation team. We deliver rigorous and actionable insight and research. The team identify key issues and knowledge gaps, build the evidence base and influence practice in the sectors we inspect and regulate, and help Ofsted understand what works. The Research and Evaluation team conduct projects in-line with Ofsted’s strategic priorities. 

As an apprentice Research and Evaluation Officer you will work across a variety of projects. Your role will be varied and you will have an opportunity to support senior colleagues in delivering high-quality research and evaluation projects. You will have opportunities to assist with research and methods design, primary and secondary evidence gathering, data cleaning and coding, data analysis and report writing. You will also carry out administrative tasks and coordinate the planning, monitoring and reporting of projects you are working on.  

You will build up knowledge of our inspection remit areas, a range of data sources and research available and use this knowledge to support data analysis and synthesis of research findings. You will have opportunities to communicate research plans and findings to stakeholders across the organisation.  

You will work with colleagues from across the Research and Evaluation team and more widely across Ofsted. 

Staff community 

The Research and Evaluation team is made up of around 45 people split into 3 policy related teams. Our teams are welcoming and friendly. We have a great peer support network within our Research and Evaluation team and new joiners can seek support and advice from peers and others. Across Ofsted we have very active staff networks, including Ofsted’s Rainbow Alliance, Women’s Network, Ethnic Equalities Network, Religion and Faith Network and Disability at Work Network.  

Learning and Development Opportunities  

Ofsted offers at least 5 days per year for learning and development for all employees. There are many opportunities for you to develop and learn in Ofsted, in your team, as well as a wide variety of courses available through the Ofsted Academy and through Civil Service Learning. You will be trained in a mix of research methods, including quantitative, qualitative analysis and the use of qualitative data analysis software, evaluation methods, commissioning research, and other relevant areas. There will be opportunities for you to attend externally delivered courses to develop your research skills and knowledge. Alongside this there is a vast array of informal learning opportunities, including internal seminars, lunch and learns, a mentoring scheme, and the Research and Evaluation team’s reading group.  

Further Information  

Travel and overnight stays away from home may be required from time to time. 

Ofsted operates a hybrid working approach, allowing colleagues to benefit from time in the office, with the flexibility also to work from home. Our expectation is that you will spend at least 60% of your time working in your office, or at external meetings or events. The exact balance will depend on the nature of your role and the suitability of your home environment, and will be discussed and agreed with your line manager. 

Ofsted have identified this role as one which will require an enhanced criminal record check via the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). This role may not bring you into direct contract with children or vulnerable adults, however it may give you access to material or sensitive information about children or vulnerable adults in the future.