The Difference

Every week 109 of England’s most vulnerable children– equivalent to three full classrooms – are permanently excluded. And the true scale of the problem is even larger. Every year, hundreds of thousands experience less visible forms of exclusion – internal exclusions, repeat suspensions, managed moves and unexplained school exits.

Excluded children are likely to be the country’s most disadvantaged: 4 times more likely to be growing up in poverty, 7 times more likely to have special needs, 10 times more likely to have mental health issues and 10 times more likely to be interacting with social services.

To date, there has been insufficient research, policy understanding and teacher training in how to measure or move outcomes for the most complex and vulnerable pupils - for anyone struggling at school, not just those at risk of permanent exclusion. Without the tools to support all students, increasing numbers of teachers are leaving the profession, disillusioned and disempowered.

The Role

We are looking for someone who can support our growing coalition of funders, while helping us expand and develop our programme evaluation. You’ll play a key role in helping The Difference identify how schools can reduce preventable exclusions and better support young people facing challenges. You’ll use this understanding to motivate new stakeholders to invest in our work - whether charitable trusts, corporate foundations or high net worth individuals.

You will feel real ownership over your work and need to be self-starting, flexible and hungry to grow with the charity. You may have experience working in schools and be keen to widen the impact of your work; you may have a background in Impact Evaluation for other programmes; or you may have worked in fundraising or communications for a non-profit.

This above list is not definitive and we’re open to hearing from a wide range of professional backgrounds. We also welcome applicants at different stages in their career and are willing to adapt the role for the right person.