Walsall Council
Pupil Place Planning Manager - Ref: CH03526
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Pupil Place Planning Manager - Ref: CH03526
Salary: G11 £51,356 - £54,495 per annum.
Walsall Council is seeking an experienced and confident Pupil Place Planning Manager to lead the strategic planning and delivery of sufficient school places across the borough. This is a key role within the Access service, supporting the Council’s statutory responsibilities for early years, primary, secondary, post-16 and specialist provision.
The postholder will provide specialist advice, analyse and interpret complex data, prepare pupil forecasts, lead school organisation and sufficiency planning, and work closely with schools, senior leaders, elected members, the DfE and other partners. The role also includes managing staff, leading consultations, supporting capital projects, and ensuring services are delivered effectively, within budget and in line with statutory requirements.
We are looking for someone with strong knowledge of education legislation, school organisation, admissions and sufficiency planning, alongside proven experience of using data to inform strategic decisions. You will be an effective communicator and leader, able to build productive relationships, manage competing priorities, resolve complex issues and present clear advice to a range of audiences.
This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated and solution-focused professional to play a leading role in shaping education provision across Walsall and ensuring children and young people have access to the right school places, in the right locations, at the right time.
Job Description and Employee Specification
https://go.walsall.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2026-06/CH02726 JDES Revised.pdf
Important note:
When completing your online application form, you will be asked to enter supporting information. You must enter a detailed supporting information statement describing how your skills, abilities and experience meet the specific criteria included in the employee specification. If you do not include a supporting information statement, you will not be shortlisted. Please also ensure that you complete the work history and qualifications sections of your application form. Please do not add a CV as we do not accept them. Please see our Information for Applicants leaflet for further information.
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We kindly request that recruitment agencies do not contact us regarding this job vacancy. We are not accepting agency applications or referrals at this time.
At Walsall Council, we appreciate that AI can be a useful tool for ideas or guidance. However, we encourage you to make sure your application reflects your own voice and experiences. Over-reliance on AI can make responses feel less personal, and we really want to understand what makes you unique. Your experiences, skills, and perspective are what set you apart, so please ensure your application as a whole – particularly your ‘Supporting Information’ – reflects your own voice.
Further information:
For further information or a conversation relating to the application, please contact Alex Groom, Admissions & Education Sufficiency Service Manager, at alex.groom@walsall.gov.uk
This post is covered by the Government’s Code of Practice on the English Language Fluency Duty for public sector workers. The post holder will be required to communicate verbally with customers and provide advice and/or information in accurate spoken English.
Walsall Council takes seriously the responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all the children, young people and vulnerable adults entrusted to our care and it is our expectation that all staff will share this commitment. We will ensure continuous development and improvement of robust recruitment processes and procedures that promote a culture of safeguarding amongst our workforce. Completion of an enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check is a requirement for working with children, young people and vulnerable adults.
Note: Applicants appointed to posts that require an enhanced DBS clearance must declare any periods of time that they have lived, studied or worked abroad and be prepared to provide an Overseas Criminal Records Certificate (OCRC) or a Statement of Good Conduct (SOGC) relating to anytime they were overseas.
Walsall Council’s Children’s Services are the only Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ local authority in the Black Country. During a visit in May 2025, Inspectors described Walsall Council as a place where children were at the heart of. The council’s journey of continuous improvement started in 2017 and has since transformed into a service with a clear vision, clear priorities and a clear plan, all informed by the views of our staff and children. Staff are at the core of delivering great outcomes for children and young people in Walsall, which is underpinned by our Walsall Right 4 Children vision. The latest Ofsted inspection demonstrated that staff in children’s services are proud to work for Walsall Council and feel supported to do great work.
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Closing date:
Sunday 26 July 2026.
Here at Walsall, we want to attract the best talent. That's why - as well as a satisfying and rewarding job - we offer a range of attractive benefits [https://go.walsall.gov.uk/jobs-and-careers-/benefits-of-working-for-us]. Working arrangements in most jobs are flexible (you may work flexitime, full or part time and job sharing is usually available) and you can expect generous holiday entitlements, a first class pension scheme and plenty of opportunities for training and personal development.
We advertise vacancies because we want the best talent available. If that's you, we're waiting for your application.
Living in Walsall
Part of the Black Country, famous for its enterprising and industrial past, Walsall is reinventing itself to become a progressive modern community. The borough is centred around the major town of Walsall, but also includes five smaller and distinctive district centres (Bloxwich, Aldridge, Willenhall, Darlaston and Brownhills), together with numerous villages.
Walsall Council is committed to Safer Recruitment. To achieve our commitment, we will ensure continuous development and improvement of robust recruitment processes and procedures that promote a culture of safeguarding amongst our workforce.
Social Work Matters - Children's Social Worker Recruitment
Some of our children require a special kind of support: yours. Visit our microsite [https://go.walsall.gov.uk/children-and-young-people/social-work-recruitment] to find out more about joining Walsall Council as a Children's Social Worker.
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