The posting
Job Title: Systems Developer
Actual Annual Salary: £33,009 - £36,011 (CLF Grade D)
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: Full-Time, 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday/All year-round
Provisional Start Date: December 2026 (Subject to completion of pre employment checks)
Additional role info: This is a hybrid role, with home serving as your primary work location. While your designated office base will be Federation House, there are no fixed office days. Instead, you'll work from Federation House, academy sites or other CLF locations as required for meetings, project work, collaboration and operational activities. The role offers a high degree of flexibility, allowing you to manage your schedule while balancing home working with time spent across the federation to support the needs of the team, projects and wider organisation.
Your opportunity to develop and enhance digital systems across our trust
We are seeking a proactive and solutions-focused Systems Developer to join our central IT team at Cabot Learning Federation.
This is an exciting, hands-on role for someone who enjoys developing technology, solving problems and improving how systems work together. Reporting to the Service Engineer responsible for systems, data and integrations, you will play a key role in developing, maintaining and supporting integrations between our critical information systems, helping to ensure data flows securely, accurately and efficiently across the federation.
Working closely with colleagues across our IT Operations and Data teams, you will help develop and support integrations between key systems, including our HR platform, academy MIS and Active Directory. You will also contribute to the development of bespoke applications, scripts and automation processes that streamline operations, reduce administrative workload and improve services for staff and pupils across our academies.
Using technologies such as APIs, SQL, Python and PowerShell, you will investigate technical challenges, develop practical solutions and support the ongoing improvement of critical systems. You will also assist with data integrations and pipelines into our Microsoft Fabric data platform, helping to support trust-wide reporting, analytics and business intelligence.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone who is passionate about systems development and automation, enjoys finding innovative solutions to complex challenges and wants to make a tangible impact across a large and ambitious multi-academy trust.
About you
You will have:
- Relevant IT or Computing qualifications at Level 3 or above, or equivalent experience in a similar technical role.
- Experience working with information systems, databases and integrations, with a good understanding of how systems interact and share data.
- Working knowledge of APIs, SQL, Python, PowerShell and other technologies used to develop applications, scripts and automation solutions.
- An understanding of Microsoft Active Directory, Microsoft Entra ID and Microsoft Intune.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to investigate issues, identify solutions and apply sound judgement.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts clearly and build positive relationships with stakeholders.
- A proactive, adaptable and organised approach, with the ability to manage competing priorities and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
- A commitment to safeguarding, inclusion, continuous improvement and supporting education through effective use of technology.
Applicants are advised to refer to the full requirements of the role in the attached job description and person specification, prior to submitting an application.
Why work in CLF’s Central IT Team?
In this role, you'll be part of our Central IT Team, helping to develop and enhance the systems that support our academies and central services. You'll work on a variety of projects involving systems integration, automation and application development, with the opportunity to make a real impact across the federation.
We offer:
- The opportunity to develop and improve integrations between key systems, helping to streamline processes across the trust.
- Hands-on experience with technologies including APIs, SQL, Python, PowerShell, Microsoft Entra ID and Microsoft Fabric.
- Flexible hybrid working, combining time at our Bristol office, academy sites and home.
- Opportunities to develop your technical skills across systems development, automation and data platforms.
- A collaborative and supportive team environment, working closely with colleagues across IT and Data.
- The chance to create solutions that improve services for staff and support better outcomes for pupils.
- The satisfaction of seeing your work make a tangible difference across one of the region's largest multi-academy trusts.
Why work at CLF?
We are a diverse and inclusive community of 37 academies across five cluster regions in the South West that is committed to excellence and making a positive impact. Our people bring unique perspectives, but we’re all driven by a shared moral purpose and a passion for making a positive impact, whether in a teaching, leadership or support role. We’re proud to foster a culture where everyone can thrive, feel valued, and make a meaningful difference to the lives of others.
We are an equal opportunity employer and proud to serve a diverse student population and our communities. We strongly believe that representation matters and so encourage applications from underrepresented and global majority groups including ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.
We aim to remove any barriers to employment, ensuring everyone can compete on equal terms. Job share, part-time and flexible working opportunities will be considered.
What we can offer you:
- Access to a generous pension through the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
- Generous annual leave.
- A comprehensive induction and ongoing commitment to wellbeing and career progression, through a range of training, apprenticeships and in-role/wider-trust development opportunities.
- Well-being support through an Employee Assistance Programme.
- Health benefits, including wellness sessions, gym discounts, and flu jabs.
- A range of generous family leave options, including above industry average occupational maternity pay.
- Additional benefits like cycle to work scheme, on-site parking plus many more!
Recruitment timeline:
Closing Date: 20 October 2026 @ 11.59pm
Shortlisting: 21/22 October 2026
Interviews: 03 November 2026
For an informal discussion about the role/to find out more, please email CLFs Recruitment Team directly (details can be found on the 'Contact Us' page on CLFs main website, or in the 'Application Instructions' section when applying).
As part of our commitment to Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE), we do not accept CVs – a full education and employment history must be provided through our application form.
We are unable to offer sponsorship with this role.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, should we receive a high level of interest in the role. Therefore, candidates are advised to apply at their earliest convenience to avoid missing out.
As a Disability Confident Committed Employer, we are dedicated to equity and inclusion and commit to interviewing applicants with a disability who meet the essential criteria. We aim to provide an inclusive and accessible recruitment process, and support employees throughout their employment. If you have a disability, are neurodivergent, or require any adjustments to support you through the application or interview process please let us know how we can assist.
