PA to the Head of Junior School

Required: As soon as possible

Salary: £30,389 per annum

Line Manager: Head of Junior School

Closing date: Friday 28th June, 12:00 noon

Interview date: Monday 8th July

The Role

We are seeking an exceptionally organised and driven professional to provide the highest level of support to the Head of Junior School. As PA to the Head, you will be vital to the smooth operation of the Junior School and will act as ambassador for the Head and the Junior School in all dealings.

This is an exciting and varied role offering the opportunity to make a tangible impact across the School community; you will work closely with the Head of Junior School to manage their diary and appointments, deal with all routine communications, receive visitors, exercise sound professional judgement to reduce the Head of Junior School’s involvement in routine matters and take initiative to anticipate and solve problems. Superb administrative and secretarial skills will be essential, alongside the ability to balance competing demands with a sense of calm and purpose.

A background in education is not required; rather, we are looking for an individual with a sound working knowledge of current trends and best practice, and a desire to utilise their transferrable skills to further our aim of maintaining a successful and safe learning environment.

The School

The King’s School, Gloucester has a rich academic tradition dating back to its founding in 1541. It houses the longest-serving classroom in Europe and is held in high esteem amongst the local and wider community, winning Gloucestershire Independent School of the Year in 2020 and 2021 and being Highly Commended again in 2022 & 2023. Following the 2022 ISI Inspection, King’s was proud to be declared ‘excellent in all areas’.

The King’s Junior School is a warm-hearted, community-centred environment renowned for delivering academic excellence within an ethos of tolerance, respect and outstanding pastoral care. The School roll is thriving from Reception to Year 6; however, we maintain our distinctively small class sizes. Whilst we celebrate individual talent and excellence, King’s pupils of all ages and abilities are encouraged to pursue their own interests and become supportive members of the community; this blend of personal achievement and team spirit is one of our defining qualities.

Main Duties

• Managing the daily diary and online calendar of the Head of Junior School;
• Triaging visits to the Head of Junior School’s office, taking appropriate action to facilitate necessary staff / parental / governor / visitor access whilst minimising disruption to the Head’s schedule;
• Preparing meeting agendas and taking minutes of meetings as required, whilst maintaining confidentiality around safeguarding, complaints, sanctions and EDI registers;
• Maintenance of IT systems necessary for the efficient running of the Head of Junior School’s office;
• Providing administrative support for the safeguarding and pastoral welfare of the Junior School pupils;
• Filing of pupils’ records, including academic and safeguarding records from external agencies and information from parents;
• Assisting the Head of Junior School in refining administrative processes, and researching and collating relevant information to support the development and implementation of new initiatives;
• Overseeing events and logistics associated with Junior School;
• Assisting in the organisation of taster days and other Junior School marketing events;
• Providing complete, general administrative support to all other elements of Junior School operations, including but not limited to communications with parents, the Junior School calendar, Bursary and Admissions;
• Liaising with staff as required during any periods of the Head of Junior School’s absence;
• Serving as the line manager for the Junior School Receptionists;
• Attending staff training as required;
• Any other duties that may reasonably be assigned by the Head of Junior School.

Personal Profile

The successful candidate should:

• Have prior experience of working in a fast-paced administrative environment;
• Possess outstanding organisational and administrative skills, with a meticulous eye for detail;
• Demonstrate the ability to manage competing demands with calm and purpose;
• Be capable of showing initiative, including the ability to think ahead and work flexibly according to the needs of the School;
• Be diplomatic, friendly and approachable, able to build appropriate relationships with pupils, parents and staff and work collaboratively with colleagues throughout the School;
• Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of Office 365, particularly Word, Excel, SharePoint and Forms;
• Be IT-literate and able to pick up the various School IT systems quickly;
• Be resourceful and able to work under pressure, planning and prioritising own workload with minimal direction;
• Exemplify tact, discretion, integrity, confidentiality and professionalism at all times.

Hours of Work

The post is for 37.5 hours per week, to be worked from 08:00 to 16:30 Monday to Friday with a one-hour lunch break, term-time only plus the first and last weeks of the summer holidays.

There will be occasions such as School events, Open Days, festivals and performances when additional hours may be required, and remuneration will be given for any extra hours worked.

Holidays

Holiday entitlement will be 25 days per annum plus Bank holidays, rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service. Payment in lieu of this entitlement is included in the salary.

Benefits

• A contributory pension through Aviva APTIS;
• Generous fee remission for children at King’s;
• Before / After School Care for children at King’s;
• Access to a doctor for advice and short consultations;
• Staff Wellbeing Programme;
• Cycle to Work Scheme;
• Lunches;
• Parking.

Applications

Candidates should apply through TES or by submitting a completed School Application Form and Covering Letter via email to recruitment@thekingsschool.co.uk. A CV is not required.

Closing date for applications is Friday 28th June at 12:00 noon, with interviews taking place on Monday 8th July. However, early applications are encouraged and we reserve the right to make an appointment prior to the published closing date, if appropriate.

For further information, please contact Mr Harry Fuller on 01452 337337 or via email to recruitment@thekingsschool.co.uk.