Policy officer Review

I am a project lead working within academies group in the DfE, this role involves liaising with schools and solicitors on the conversion of schools (fast track, sponsored and stand alone converters). I also work on intervening in under-performing schools and setting up an ation pan for them.

I have definitely improved my communication skills and gained confidence when talking to people over the phone/face to face. Furthermore I feel I have learned a lot about the DfE in general and the different policies they have. I have also worked in private office for a couple of days where I learnt how to stay calm and work effectively in a stressful environment.

I do enjoy my scheme most of the time however sometimes I feel certain things can be very unorganised and end up wasting time, for example training that is cancelled at the last minute. I like the team I work in however I would like it if there were more young people.

Quite valued. Probably 6/10

Not very well a lot of the time, my assessor often doesn't respond to emails for 4/5 days and I have had a lot of training sessions cancelled at the last minute.

A little but probably not quite enough.

A lot, my line manager especially is extremely helpful.

I have to spend £400 per month just on petrol and we will now have to pay roughly £25 per week on parking so that takes a big chunk out of my salary which is not ideal.

There has been a couple but again nobody seems to bother replying to emails when I ask to attend which is incredibly frustrating.

Yes

Good opportunities, good salary and great experience/responsibility from the word go.

Make sure you check your emails often as there are time limits when applying. Be confident in your interviews and make sure you explain your competencies clearly. Try not to be too nervous as the interviewers are only human like you!