- School type
- Academy, ages 11 to 16
- Education phase
- Secondary
- School size
- 1243 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 16
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- The Portsmouth Academy website
Graduate Communications & PR Officer
More than one location, The Thinking Schools Academy Trust10 days remaining to apply
Job start date
12 January 2026
Closing date
16 November 2025 at 11:59pm
Date listed
6 November 2025
Job details
Job role
- Other support roles
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Fixed term - Until August 2026
Full-time equivalent salary
- £25,000
What skills and experience we're looking for
Are you ready to write the playbook for marketing and comms in education and use your creativity to help Transform Life Chances?
We are looking for a graduate (or equivalent) who wants real responsibility from day one, coaching from experienced communicators, and a portfolio that grows fast. You’ll raise the profile of our schools and Thinking Solutions for Education through campaigns that build reputation, trust and community engagement - turning ideas into compelling content, insight into action, and results into stories that matter.
If you’re looking to make a big impact with a small-and-mighty team, this role offers real exposure and stretch. You’ll work across channels, sit in on senior conversations, and get hands-on practice that builds your skills in writing, editing, basic design, analytics, PR and stakeholder management.
What you’ll do
- Create content for websites, social, email and press- clear, plain-English stories for families, staff and partners.
- Support campaigns mapped to the Trust calendar; help plan timelines, assets and delivery.
- Optimise for discovery using SEO fundamentals; learn CMS and analytics to improve reach and performance.
- Engage communities: schedule posts, track comments/queries, and capture insight from surveys/analytics.
- Reputation & PR: draft media notes, identify story angles and coordinate with our PR partner.
- Crisis comms (supported): help gather facts, prepare lines and manage approvals.
- Income generation (supported): contribute to proposals, bids and sponsorship approaches.
- Upskill others: assist with simple toolkits and how-to guides for school teams.
- Tools: Microsoft 365; basic asset creation in Adobe/Canva (or similar).
How you’ll work (the Thinking Creative way)
- Trusted: accurate, on-brand, compliant.
- Solution-focused: practical ideas, clear plans, measurable outcomes.
- Approachable: open doors, feedback welcomed; relationships first.
- Timely: right message, right moment, right channel.
About you
- A graduate (any relevant discipline welcome) or equivalent experience
- Strong writer/editor who can turn complex or sensitive topics into accessible language.
- Organised, curious and proactive; comfortable juggling tasks and deadlines.
- Confident with Microsoft 365; quick to learn CMS/analytics; basic design skills a plus.
- Committed to confidentiality, safeguarding and Academy policies; you design communications that are respectful, representative and accessible to all (EDI aligned).
We would love to hear from you if you are a graduate (any relevant discipline welcome) or equivalent experience who is organised, curious and proactive, and is comfortable juggling tasks and deadlines.
You will be a strong writer/editor who can turn complex or sensitive topics into accessible language. You will be committed to confidentiality, safeguarding and academy policies, designing communications that are respectful, representative and accessible to all (EDI aligned).
We listen. We know our sector moves fast, so we adapt.Your ideas will be heard, tested and shared. If this sounds like you, we want to hear from you.
What the school offers its staff
Thinking Solutions for Education is a not-for-profit organisation. We share our expertise and reinvest any surplus directly back into schools - raising standards, strengthening capacity, and improving outcomes for young people.
Thinking Creative is our in-house, sector-leading brand, marketing, and communications team, working exclusively within the education sector. Through our strong networks and partnerships, we proactively partner with schools and trusts to deliver impactful campaigns that drive pupil admissions, support rebrands, and enhance reputations. Our work not only serves our schools but also has a growing external footprint with external school partners
Our team brings deep expertise across branding, design, PR, and websites. We’re now looking for our next team member, someone who can bring fresh ideas, add value, and contribute to the continued success of this talented team.
The mission of TSAT is simple: to Transform Life Chances, regardless of individual circumstance.
What you need to do now:
If you are interested in working at our school, benefiting from a supportive network of colleagues across our Trust, and are keen to progress your career then please apply today!
Informal conversations are welcome - Please emailLauren.Wilson@tsatrust.org.uk
TSAT and Thinking Solutions for Education are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities and are happy to discuss flexible working.
Further information about the job
The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.
Visas cannot be sponsored.
If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.
Commitment to safeguarding
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check. As per KCSIE we will also undertake online searches for all shortlisted candidates, if you have any questions regarding this process please email recruitment@tsatrust.org.uk
Applying for the job
Apply for the job by following the link below.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
View advert on school website (opens in new tab)Upload additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About The Thinking Schools Academy Trust
- Type
- Multi-academy trust
- Email address
- Lauren.Wilson@tsatrust.org.uk
The Thinking Schools Academy Trust is a family of schools consisting of both primary and secondary schools across Kent, Essex, Hampshire and the South West.
We believe that every young person in our community deserves to have the best opportunities at life regardless of their individual circumstances. Education is the key to transforming life chances and we support and develop every member of our community to:
o Think about their Thinking
o Be their Best self
o Shape their Success
In this way we transform life chances
School Details
The Portsmouth Academy
Paignton Academy
- School type
- Academy, ages 11 to 16
- Education phase
- Secondary
- School size
- 1582 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 16
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Paignton Academy website
Arranging a visit to The Thinking Schools Academy Trust
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email Lauren.Wilson@tsatrust.org.uk.
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