Office & Accounts Assistant

About the role

We are a recently opened and thriving school, seeking to appoint an Office & Accounts Assistant to work in our school office and support our administrative team. This role will encompass a range of receptionist, administrative, and accounting duties.

This post would suit a highly organised individual who is great at taking initiative and managing their own workload. Our ideal candidate will have great interpersonal skills and be excited to create a welcoming and professional atmosphere in our school reception and beyond.

While accounting skills and previous experience working in a school office is desirable, excellent customer service and communication skills are of equal importance.

This is a full-time, permanent position reporting to the School Office Manager.

In return, we can offer:

• Competitive pay and company pension scheme
• Professional development and additional training 
• The opportunity to work in a welcoming school environment with wonderful students
• A strong and supportive leadership team, passionate about staff and student wellbeing
• An ‘employee assistance programme’ membership entitling you to home life support, work life assistance, physical and emotional health support, and wellbeing support resources
• Lunch provided daily in term time
• Sickness benefits

About Abingdon House School, Purley

Abingdon House School, Purley opened in September 2023 as a day school supporting academically-able students with a range of learning needs. Our small class sizes, integrated therapist provision, and specialist teaching work to reduce the impact of barriers to learning for our students.

About Cavendish Education

We are part of the Cavendish group – is a family of independent co-educational school and colleges for students with special educational needs between the ages of

five and 21.

Through a student-centred approach to learning, Cavendish schools challenge common perceptions of specialist schools, with an approach that sits between mainstream and traditional SEN education.

Qualifications and experience required for this role:

• GCSE or equivalent level education
• Demonstrable customer service skills
• Excellent organisation skills, and an ability to prioritise your own workload effectively
• Proficiency in Google and/or Microsoft tools
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students
• Experience working in a school office environment is desirable, but not essential
• Accounting skills desirable, but not essential (training will be provided)

This description is not exhaustive and can be reviewed at any time following discussion with the School Office Manager and to suit the needs of the school. It will also be reviewed annually.

Accounts duties

The Office & Accounts Assistant will be responsible for a range of accounting tasks, as directed by the School Office Manager and the Bursar.

Responsibilities:

• Upload invoices on to Xero for payment 
• Place supplies and consumables orders, in agreement with the SLT
• Invoice parents and Local Authorities on a termly basis, and chase up missing payments as required
• Provide Local Authorities with relevant information on invoices
• Reconcile school credit card transactions as required
• Manage utility and other service provider contracts

Reception duties

You will play a vital role in the front office, serving as the primary point of contact for visitors, parents, students, and staff. You will be responsible for maintaining a welcoming and professional atmosphere for the school community.

Responsibilities:

• Welcome visitors: Greet visitors warmly, ensure they sign in and out following safeguarding and security procedures, and issue visitor passes as required. Operate the electronic gate system, ensure security at all times
• Phone calls: Answer phones courteously, direct calls to appropriate staff members, take and redirect messages clearly, and provide information to callers
• Manage the front desk area: Ensure the reception area is manned at all times and liaise with the other members of the Admin team as necessary. Leaving the area secure, clean, organised, and presentable
• Mail and deliveries: Receipt of deliveries, including checking against orders and liaising with our Site Manager for distribution. Logging receipt of exam papers and liaising with the Exam Officer for secure storage and collection.

Administrative duties

You will undertake a range of office, clerical and administrative tasks in this role.

Responsibilities:

• Input and maintain current and prospective student data on the schools MIS
• Maintain daily attendance registration and assist with following up student absences
• Prepare documents and school reports as requested by the Office Manager and other staff members
• Communicate with staff, students, and parents to answer questions, provide directions, and pass any messages on;  including telephone and email correspondence
• Monitor the school’s ‘info@’ email inbox when required
• Keep a log of student transport providers and liaise with them where necessary
• Handle sensitive information with discretion and follow established school policies
• Monitor stationery and staffroom supplies and stock control

General duties

In addition to the above, you will work collaboratively with school staff to maintain a positive and productive school environment.

Responsibilities:

• Represent the school in a positive and professional manner at all times
• Take on shared health & safety responsibilities
• Build and maintain good relationships with staff and students
• Be aware of and adhere to policies and staff code of conduct
• Attend staff meetings and INSET days

How to find out more

To apply, download the attached application form and submit it to Jonathan Mansell, Headteacher at jon.mansell@ahspurley.com directly or via the ‘apply’ button.

Closing date: Friday, 28th June (please note that we will be interviewing suitable candidates before the closing date so early application is advised)

Cavendish Education is committed to safeguarding and child protection and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this

 commitment and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including checks with employers and the Disclosure & Barring Service. We aim to be a fair employer and are committed to equal opportunities. We do not discriminate against employees on the basis of gender, ethnic origin, disability or age.