"I recently joined the school improvement service as a senior education advisor. Right from the start I was made to feel really welcome and supported, both professionally and personally by the team. I had a detailed induction programme which has taken me through all the key pieces of information I needed to know alongside a bespoke shadowing programme where I was able to accompany other advisors to gain a better understanding of how school visits work, with a particular focus on some areas of school I was less familiar with from my previous roles. I think the thing that has struck me most during these first few weeks is how open and helpful the team are. There is always someone available to answer the ‘how?’ or ‘what?’ questions that come up when settling into a new role."
- Mark Turner
Guiding excellence through effective governance
A key reason to consider working as a strategic governance officer in North Yorkshire is the opportunity to make a real difference. Governance professionals operating at all levels have a vital role in our education system. The support they provide helps to ensure strong governance, which leads to better outcomes for our schools and young people across North Yorkshire.
North Yorkshire offers a unique blend of urban and rural environments, providing a diverse range of challenges and opportunities for the governance team. From bustling market towns to picturesque villages, each with its own distinct character and set of governance requirements, you would have the chance to work in various settings and gain valuable experience across different sectors.
Our current job opportunities
There are currently no vacancies.
Hear from some of our team
Mark Turner - senior education advisor
Kellee Osborne - safeguarding adviser
"I started working for North Yorkshire Council a year ago as safeguarding adviser and was welcomed into the school improvement team with warmth and friendliness. All my colleagues, line manager and the school improvement team are so approachable and supportive, which made my transition run so smoothly. I am very fortunate to work with such inspirational people, who come together as a team to achieve a common goal.
North Yorkshire is a beautiful place to work. In my role, I travel across the whole county, so can be in the stunning Dales countryside one day and the picturesque North Yorkshire coast the next. I feel very privileged to work in such a great location, be supported by a fantastic team and be part of an inclusive and ambitious council."
- Kellee Osborne
Julie Pattison - principal adviser
"I have worked within the school improvement team for over 20 years having originally intended to stay for just one year! I have worked in various roles and this variety is part of what makes school improvement such a great service to work for. No two days are ever the same - even on the most challenging days, there is a team of dedicated colleagues that you can call on to help you. North Yorkshire is such a beautiful place to work and within the school improvement team, you get to see everything that the county has to offer and work with some inspirational school leaders. Most importantly, you have the privilege to be a part of the jigsaw that contributes to making a difference to the future lives of the children and young people within North Yorkshire."
- Julie Pattison
Sue Marshall - senior education adviser
"This year marks my 20th year working in North Yorkshire! Starting as a teaching assistant, I trained as a teacher and became an advanced skills teacher and later a headteacher, before taking up my current post as a senior education adviser supporting schools across the county.
I thoroughly enjoy my role. There is such diversity, which means no day is ever the same, and I am privileged to work with skilled, supportive colleagues and wonderful teachers and governors in our North Yorkshire schools, who really do give their all to support the pupils in their care.
Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to work with exceptional colleagues, both within schools and now within the school improvement team. We share a personal drive to ensure every child receives the best possible education within our county. Colleagues are always willing to share their knowledge and expertise which is highly valued.
As a North Yorkshire employee, I have been supported to develop my skills through a range of opportunities which have enriched my career. I would urge you to consider joining North Yorkshire - not only is it a wonderful county in which to live, it is also a brilliant place to work!"
- Sue Marshall
Children and young peoples service - education and skills
The school improvement team part of education and skills provide monitoring, challenge and support to schools and settings across North Yorkshire. Our mission is that all schools in North Yorkshire will be ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’.
North Yorkshire local authority shares the government’s vision and ambition for governance to be robust and effective within every school and is committed to supporting the drive of our governing boards towards positive outcomes across all aspects of education for all children and young people.
The professional governance service works with schools, academies, multi-academy trusts and other services within the children and young peoples service to promote effective school governance across the councils network of more than 360 schools and settings, and to provide challenge and support in relation to need as well as fulfilling statutory duties. Strong governance is critical to the education of children and young people in order to drive relentless ambition within our school system.
Opportunities within North Yorkshire Council
Working as a governance officer in North Yorkshire can open doors to a wide range of opportunities. The experience gained in these roles equips individuals with valuable skills in governance, policy development, stakeholder engagement, and decision-making. These skills are highly transferable and sought after in both the public and private sectors.
Why work for us
We are strong performing authority, with supportive political leadership, and talented teams providing the platform to have a fulfilling, challenging and successful career in a truly stunning place.
A recent peer challenge found that the council is a good place to work, with strong leadership and a loyal and committed workforce who have access to well-regarded training and development.
We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice, offering a range of training and development opportunities and career progression allowing you to manage your own development journey and empowering you to control your career. Your career can change with your life here in North Yorkshire.
We positively encourage flexible working and we provide you with the technology you need to work from a wide variety of locations.
We believe in the importance of inclusion, which is why we are always working towards being a more diverse, equitable and inclusive employer. Find out more about our equality, diversity and inclusion work on our working for us page. You can bring your whole self to work, and we will support you to be the best that you can be.
Watch this video to find out about our employee networks.
Our values, behaviours and ambitions underpin everything we do.
Living and working in North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire is a thriving county that adapts to a changing world and remains a special place to live and work.
North Yorkshire's natural beauty is captured in its three areas of Outstanding Natural Parks, National Nature Reserves, stunning coastlines, scenic rural villages, vibrant cities and market towns. North Yorkshire really is a beautiful, thriving and special place to live and work, rich in heritage and culture.
North Yorkshire features significantly in the ten best places to live in the UK in Halifax Quality of Life Survey. The Quality of Life index aims to quantify where living standards are highest in the UK by ranking local performance across a range of indicators.
Richmondshire was placed second in the list, a position boosted by excellent personal wellbeing factors including life satisfaction and happiness.
Hambleton was placed fourth and Ryedale was placed eighth, a truly commendable achievement and another incredible accolade for North Yorkshire.
Figures released by the Office for National Statistics bulletin positions North Yorkshire as the safest place in England with extremely low crime rates.
In addition, the county benefits from excellent road and rail links, with easy access via the east coast mainline, the A1(M) and A19. Leeds, York, Newcastle, Durham and Teesside are all easily commutable, and London and Edinburgh are just two hours away by train.
From its lively cities to pretty villages, rolling countryside and grand coastline, Yorkshire has so much to offer including great employment opportunities for your family members, along with a higher proportion of schools which are good or outstanding compared to national figures.
You can find out more about what North Yorkshire has to offer on the No place like North Yorkshire website.
Watch this video to see more of what North Yorkshire has to offer.
