School Funding Forecasting and Early Years Funding Analysts

Job description

About the job

Job summary

IMPORTANT - This vacancy is using the Civil Service Verbal test. The deadline for completing the test is the same as the vacancy closing date. Please ensure you complete the test with sufficient time to complete the written application.

The Revenue Funding Analysis Unit in DfE is looking for two motivated SEO-level analysts with strong modelling, problem-solving and communication skills to work in a fast-paced, delivery-focused environment.

One of the successful applicants will join our Revenue Funding & Cost Pressures team. Their main responsibilities will be leading on analysis in relation to forecasting funding for the pupil premium grant, and updating, maintaining and preparing the schools' revenue funding time series for publication.

The other successful applicant will join our Early Years Funding Analysis team. Their main responsibility will be to lead on analysis and modelling in support of early years funding policy development

Both posts offer a really exciting opportunity to conduct analysis that is of fundamental importance to the main spending decisions of the department, with opportunities to work flexibly across the unit to meet ministerial priorities.

The Revenue Funding Analysis Unit is comprised of 22 analysts. The unit's overall aim is to provide analytical support to the development of revenue funding policy for early years, schools, high needs, and 16-19 provision. We work closely with colleagues in the department's funding policy teams and several other analytical, policy and delivery teams. In total we are responsible for developing and running over a dozen of the department's business critical models.

These posts provide an excellent opportunity for you to engage with a large network of analysts and analytical teams via knowledge sharing sessions, staff networks and working groups, facilitating your technical development, and ensuring robustness in your analytical work.

Our strong relationships with policy and delivery colleagues means the roles provide an excellent opportunity for you to work with a range of different colleagues and develop both technical and non-technical skills.

Job description

Post in the Revenue Funding & Cost Pressures team:

Your main responsibilities will be to lead on:

• The modelling and analysis of current and future funding via the pupil premium grant, worth over £3bn a year to schools, to support the education of disadvantaged pupils. This is one of the department's most important funding streams.
• Preparation and related analysis of the department's key statistical publication of a national-level time series of schools' revenue funding since 2010-11 which is updated every year. Future development will include extending the series to earlier years and disaggregating to local funding areas.

Your work will include carrying out other analysis needed to underpin funding policy making in the team. You will also manage the quality assurance process for input data, the models, and their outputs and documentation. You will play an essential role in informing policy decisions, contributing to Spending Reviews and the department's business planning to ensure the effective allocation of resources.

Post in the Early Years Funding Analysis team:

The Department for Education currently provides about £10bn funding per year to provide up to 15 hours of free childcare per week for all parents with 3- and 4-year-old children and 2-year-olds from disadvantaged backgrounds. Eligible working parents can also get up to 30 hours of free childcare per week for children aged 9 months to 4 years old. In recent years, the government has been implementing transformative reforms that are significantly expanding the availability of free childcare. This post is an exciting opportunity to support the continued development and delivery of these high-profile and significant reforms.

The post holder will be expected to take end-to end responsibility for conducting modelling and analysis to directly support ministers' policy decisions about how to allocate all the early years funding grants across the country, and will also undertake longer term development projects that aim to continually improve the various early years funding formulae. The post holder will collaborate closely with policy and delivery colleagues to support Ministers' policy decisions.

In both cases, our models are currently primarily based in Excel although we are looking for applicants who can identify and implement opportunities to bring a greater coding element to the roles. There is the opportunity to develop technical skills on the job and through relevant training.

Professional Analytical Badging

Candidates must already be part of, or be eligible and willing to join, one of the following professions: the Government Statistical Service (GSS); Government Operational Research Service (GORS). Please note that if you currently don't hold this professional badging you will be required to go through the relevant assessment processes, once in post - see links for more details.

Person specification

Essential Criteria:

• Experience of using different analytical and statistical techniques to produce analyses of complex datasets, management information and other sources.
• Significant experience of Excel modelling and R or Python as coding skills are seen as an essential requirement for all GORs and GSS analysts in DfE.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to work agilely with policy colleagues to discuss and develop analytical ideas and to help develop policy thinking.
• Have a strong focus on quality assurance, ensuring their work is robust and meets the needs of policy customers.
• Able to effectively lead and manage their own work area.
• Excellent project management skills, able to deliver complex analysis at pace, managing risks and thinking in an agile way to deliver high quality outputs.

You need to either be a badged member of the Government Statistical Service or Government Operational Research Service, or eligible and willing to join. In your application, please clearly state if you are already badged, or eligible to be badged. Please also complete the 250-word Technical Statement outlining the breadth of your statistical expertise.

To be eligible for this route you should have:

A first- or second-class honours degree (2:1 for Fast Stream applications, 2:2 minimum for all other) in a numerate subject containing taught statistical content (e.g. Statistics, Data Science, Mathematics, Economics, Sciences, Psychology, Geography,)

OR a higher degree, for example MSc or PhD, in a subject containing formal statistical training (e.g. Statistics, Data Science, Mathematics, Economics, Sciences, Psychology, Geography,)

More details on eligibility for the relevant professions can be found here: Government Statistical Service (GSS); Government Operational Research Service (GORS).

Please note that if you currently don't hold this professional badging you will be required to go through the relevant assessment processes, once in post - see links for more details.

We welcome applications from candidates seeking part time or compressed working pattern. However, due to the nature of the work and the shift coverage required, the minimum number of contracted hours for this role is 30 hours per week over a 4 day period.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Managing a Quality Service
• Working Together

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• GORS• Knowledge and application of OR skillsorGSS• Data analysis
• GORS• Achieving impact with analysisorGSS• Presenting and disseminating data effectively

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £50,714, Department for Education contributes £14,691 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

Applicants currently holding a permanent post in the Civil Service should note that, if successful, their salary on appointment would be determined by the Department's transfer / promotion policies.

As a member of the DfE, you will be entitled to join the highly competitive Civil Service Pension Scheme, which many experts agree is one of the most generous in the UK.

You will have 25 days leave, increasing by 1 day every year to a maximum of 30 days after five years' service. In addition, all staff receive the King's Birthday privilege holiday and 8 days' bank and public holidays.
We offer flexible working arrangements, such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours.

Most DfE employees will be working a hybrid pattern, spending at least 60% of their time in an office or work setting. Changes to these working arrangements are available in exceptional circumstances but must be agreed with the line manager and in line with the requirements of the role.

Travel to your primary office location will not be paid for by DfE, but costs for travel to an office which is not your main location will be covered.

As an organisation, which exists to support education and lifelong learning, we offer our staff excellent professional development opportunities.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Technical skills.

To apply for this role, please select 'Apply Now' at the top or bottom of this advert. CV details need to be included in the template within the application form; attached or emailed CVs will not be considered.

Please be advised there are four stages to the recruitment process for this role, these are outlined below.

Stage 1: Civil Service Verbal Test (CSVT)

When you have completed your personal information, you will be asked to complete the CSVT. You must achieve the minimum pass mark to progress to the next stage.

It is important you allow enough time to complete the test online (within 24-48 hours is recommended), and obtain the results before you can complete your full application online prior to the test closing date and time.

Do not leave completing the test until the last minute in case you experience any access or technical issues. There may not be technical support available after business hours.

While the test should work on most operating systems and modern browsers with a good internet connection, we cannot guarantee that every combination will work. At the beginning, the test will check which browser you are using, and alert you if it is likely to be incompatible.

It is highly recommended that you complete the online test on a desktop computer, not a mobile phone or tablet.

If you are unsuccessful in passing the online test you will be unable to continue any further in the application process. If you successfully pass the test, you will then progress to stage 2 of completing the full application.

Stage 2: Application

We reserve the right to increase the minimum pass mark for the CSVT where there is a high volume of applications or a particularly strong field of candidates. Where this occurs, candidates who do not meet the revised pass mark will not progress further, and their written application will not be assessed.

At sift stage, you will be assessed on the Behaviours & Technical Ability in line with the essential and technical skills listed in the person specification section of the job advert.

To apply for this role, please provide:

• 250 Word Behaviour Statement for each of the Behaviours listed in the advert. On the application form you'll find four free text boxes to provide your behaviour responses.
• Technical Statement for each of the Technical Skills required for the role outlining your technical suitability for the role. You may use an example to support your statement (maximum 250 words for each Technical skill).

The two technical competencies, depending on the profession, are

GORS

• Knowledge and application of OR skills; and
• Achieving impact with analysis

or

GSS

• Data analysis; and
• Presenting and disseminating data effectively.

On the technical competency section of their application, candidates must specify which profession's technical competencies they are applying under, irrespective of whether or not they are currently members of GORS or GSS.

Candidates will also be assessed on their existing or eligible membership to the GSS or GORS framework.

The Behaviours and & Technical Skills Statement will be assessed against the essential criteria detailed in the advert.

Should there be a high volume of applicants, initial sift will take place using the Technical Statement. Candidates progressing onto full sift will be sifted on Behaviours and the Technical Skills

Sifting is expected to take place in the week commencing 07 September 2026. Please note these dates are subject to change.

Stage 3: Interview

The interview will last approximately 60 minutes. You will be asked questions on the Behaviours and Technical Skills listed above to determine your level of experience in these areas. Questions will typically ask for a brief and broad overview of your experience relevant to a criteria (e.g. tell us about your experience delivering policy projects) and/or a specific example (e.g. tell us about a time when you....). We may also ask you some follow-up questions.

Interviews will take place towards the end of September 2026. Please note these dates are subject to change. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Interviews will be held over video conferencing using MS Teams. If you are invited to interview, please ensure that you have access to this software and that you have your video turned on. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

We receive many applications, and unfortunately we're not able to provide feedback for candidates who aren't shortlisted. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

All communications will be electronic therefore it is vitally important that you check your Civil Service Jobs account regularly, as well as your spam/junk email folder.

Important Information

If you fail to complete the tests before the deadline, your application will be withdrawn. Guidance will be available when you are invited to take the test. The tests are untimed, administered via Civil Service Jobs, and applicant guidance is available during the test and online on GOV.UK Online Tests guidance.

Applicants must complete the test on their own, without help, and Departments reserve the right to retest applicants under supervised conditions at later stages of the selection process. Doing this can provide reassurance to recruiters who are concerned about the authenticity of one or more test results.

Please ensure you allow yourself sufficient time to complete both assessments and submit your application before the advertised deadline.

Reasonable adjustments & test accessibility:

See our reasonable adjustments guide for candidates (online tests), or some example case studies, to act as a guide. You can use these to help you decide whether to ask for help or take the test without help.

More information about online tests can be found here: Preparing for the Civil Service Verbal and Numerical tests - GOV.UK. You will also find practice tests on this page if you would find them helpful prior to completing the live test.

Other Information

Interviews may be via Microsoft teams or face to face; the vacancy manager will confirm prior to the Interview.

In your application, please don't include personal information that identifies you.

This means we can recruit based on your knowledge and skills, and not background, gender or ethnicity - it's called name blind recruitment (opens in a new window).

Please ensure that you remove from your application, all references to your:

• name/title

• educational institutions

• age

• gender

• email address

• postal address

• phone number

• nationality/immigration status

We reserve the right to raise the minimum pass mark in the event of a high volume or strong field of candidates.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK from the location options provided and not from overseas.

The government is committed to supporting apprenticeships, enabling people to learn and progress in a role whilst earning. We want to monitor the number of people who have completed apprenticeships who are now applying to progress further in their career and are asking this question to all candidates, on all vacancies. You will be asked a question as part of the application process about any previous apprenticeships you have completed. Your response to this question will not affect your application and it is not a requirement of the role to have completed a previous apprenticeship.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check maybe carried out.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstance some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Department of Education of your intention by emailing [email protected] stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

Department for Education do not cover the cost of travel to your interview/assessment unless otherwise stated.

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Candidates will be posted in merit order based upon location preference. Where more than one location is advertised you will be asked to state your preferred location.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant's details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

Terms and conditions of candidates transferring from ALBs and NDPBs

Bodies that are not accredited by the Civil Service Commission and are not able to advertise at Across Government on Civil Service jobs will be treated as external new starters and will come into DfE on modernised terms and conditions with a salary at the band minimum.

Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission but do not have civil service status will be offered modernised terms and will not have continuous service recognised for leave or sickness benefits. Salaries should be offered at band minimum, but there is some flexibility where this would cause a detriment to the individual.

Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission and do have Civil Service status will be treated as OGD transfers. Staff appointed on lateral transfer will move on to pre-modernised DfE terms (unless they were on modernised terms in their previous organisation). Staff appointed on promotion will move on to modernised DfE terms. Staff will transfer over on their existing salary (on lateral transfer) and any pay above the DfE pay band maximum will be paid as a mark time allowance. Staff moving on promotion will have their salaries calculated using the principles set out in the attached OGD transfer supplementary information.

Reasonable adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes. If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

Contact Department of Education via [email protected] soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the "Assistance required" section in the "Additional requirements" page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you're deaf, a Language Service Professional.

Please refer to the attached 'Reasonable Adjustments Guide 05_2025 - accessible version' at the bottom of the advert, for further information.

Childcare Vouchers

Any move to Department for Education (DfE) will mean you will no longer be able to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Paul Lucas
• Email : [email protected]

Recruitment team

• Email : [email protected]

Further information

The Department for Education's recruitment processes are underpinned by the Civil Service Commissioners Recruitment Principles, which outlines that selection for appointment is made on merit based on fair and open competition. You have the right to complain if you feel a department has breached the requirement of the Recruitment Principles. In the first instance, you should raise the matter directly with the department concerned via [email protected]. If you are not satisfied with the response, you may bring your complaint to the Commission. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages