We are pioneers in girls’ education and continually evolve to ensure our systems, processes and data infrastructure enable excellence across our 26 schools and academies. This role sits at the heart of that ambition. As our ITS School Data Systems Specialist, you will play a central part in supporting the Trust’s operational data environment and ensuring our schools can rely on high-quality, well-governed data to deliver outstanding experiences for pupils, families and colleagues.
What you’ll be doing
You will take on a key role in embedding best practice across our core school data systems, acting as a subject matter expert for SIMS , and supporting colleagues across both Trust Office and schools. You will provide technical support and consultancy, help refine and standardise operational workflows, and contribute to the development of data integrations and reporting infrastructure that underpin decision-making at every level of the organisation.
Your work will involve producing high-quality documentation and guidance for end users, supporting user groups and communities of practice, and collaborating closely with the Data Team and the GDST Data Cloud project. You will champion strong data governance, ensuring our systems and data meet legislative requirements, Trust policy and best practice standards.
What skills and experience you’ll bring to the role
- Strong hands-on expertise with SIMS MIS and experience supporting operational school data systems
- A solid understanding of system integrations, data flows and process workflows in a complex environment
- Experience producing data documentation, dashboards or reporting outputs, ideally using PowerBI
- An ability to engage, train and support colleagues at all levels, communicating technical concepts clearly
- A customer-focused approach, with the ability to build effective relationships across schools, Trust Office teams and third-party suppliers
- A proactive, solutions-focused mindset, with the confidence to influence best practice and drive continual improvement.
Who we are
The Girls’ Day School Trust (GDST) is the UK’s leading group of 24 independent girls’ schools and two academies across England and Wales. We educate around 19,000 students and employ 4,000 staff, all united for a shared purpose: to help girls learn without limits, so they can go on to lead lives without limits and make the world a better place for us all.
The organisation’s values serve as guiding principles:
- We put girls first
- We think and act fearlessly
- We embrace a forward-thinking mindset that shapes the educational offer for girls
- We are a family of schools
- We provide careers that are fulfilling and purposeful for our staff
As recognised global leaders in girls’ education, we combine 153 years of expertise and experience with a progressive and pace-setting vision for the future. We are dedicated to giving our students the tools to thrive, offering them access to innovative educational practices, excellent facilities, and an inclusive culture where everyone feels valued.
Why join us
As part of the GDST, the UK's leading network of independent girls' schools, we can offer a variety of benefits, such as:
- Competitive salaries and pay progression
- Access to extensive professional development opportunities
- Training grants for qualifications
- A discount of up to 50% on fees for children at GDST schools
- Generous pension schemes
- Free life assurance benefit
- Interest free loans for training, computer purchase loans and travel season ticket loans
- A Cycle to Work scheme
- Competitive terms and conditions of employment
There are many other good reasons to work with us. Each of our schools and our Trust Office has its own sense of community, and you’ll be part of it. You’ll be in the company of some of the best and brightest people in independent education. Most importantly, no matter what your role, you’ll be playing a major part in the highly regarded education we give our girls.