Administrative Assistant

Fordway Centre; Ashford; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 21,000; Full time

Job summary

The Fordway Centre seeks a dedicated administrator to support a dynamic educational environment. This permanent, term-time role involves reception duties, administration tasks, and working closely with students and staff to enhance their learning experience. Applicants should have strong communication skills and the ability to multitask in a busy atmosphere.

Benefits

Chromebook

Employee Assistance Programme

Pension Scheme

Commitment to staff wellbeing

Free tea, coffee, and biscuits

Qualifications

• Ability to work under pressure and use initiative.
• Good standards of literacy, numeracy, and IT.
• Resilience and good humor.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the first point of contact for the school, handling reception and administration duties.
• Manage student transport, attendance, and liaise with parents and professionals.
• Perform first aid and maintain data inputs.

Skills

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Organisation

Multi-tasking

IT (Google docs preferred)

Job description

DescriptionSupporting documentsEmployerLocation

Salary: Grade PS4 £18,853 - £20,187 (FTE £24,275 - £25,993)

We are looking to appoint a strong administrator with good communication skills, who works calmly under pressure, to join our team of committed staff based at The Fordway Centre. This is an exciting opportunity for you to join us in our brand new purpose-built school which opened in June 2025 where innovation meets inspiration. Our facilities are designed to empower both staff and students, fostering a dynamic learning atmosphere where creativity and collaboration thrive.

This is a permanent, term time only position, 32.5 hours per week Monday to Friday, ideally starting at 8.30am. The working pattern will be agreed with the successful candidate.

You will need to:

Have high expectations and standards with the ability to work using your own initiative at a highly professional level in a busy environment.

Good communication skills

Good interpersonal skills, both ‘front of house’ and as part of the staff team.

Excellent organisation and multi-tasking skills able to think on your feet

A quick learner with the aptitude to acquire new skills

Good standards of literacy, numeracy and IT (Google docs preferred).

Resilience and a sense of humour!

Please refer to the attached job profile for details of the role purpose, accountabilities and personal characteristics.

You will serve as the first point of contact for the school, both over the phone and in person. Your responsibilities will encompass a diverse range of tasks, including but not limited to reception duties, day-to-day administration, first aid, managing student transport, handling petty cash, monitoring student attendance, data input and maintenance and liaising with parents and professionals. Whilst this is a stand-alone role, it forms part of a wider team of administrators across Trust schools and you will be working closely with a friendly and supportive curriculum team.

The Fordway Centre is part of a Multi Academy Trust made up of three Alternative Provision Academies: Reigate Valley College and Wey Valley College. All of the schools in the trust are progressive and innovative AP Academies, catering for the needs of students who have difficulty accessing a mainstream curriculum.

We can offer you:

A chromebook

Growing Great Staff' programme that enables you to flourish

A genuine commitment to staff wellbeing and work/life balance

Employee Assistance Programme & Pension Scheme

Sociable and friendly staff

Most importantly…free tea, coffee and biscuits!

We welcome visits to the school, if you would like to arrange this or discuss the role further please contact Sam Dawson – see application information section for contact details.

Advert closing date: 24 June 2025 at 9am

Interviews: W/c 30 June 2025

Early application is strongly encouraged as we reserve the right to close the advert ahead of the closing date.

Safeguarding Statement

The Trust is an equal opportunities employer and wholeheartedly supports the principle of equal opportunities for all its employees and for all applicants for employment. It is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to Disclosing and Barring checks along with other relevant pre-employment checks. Please be aware; to comply with the update of KCSIE 2024, all applicants consent by completing their application, if shortlisted, to a preliminary online search of their name to identify any safeguarding considerations to be discussed at interview.Applicants must hold the right to permanently work in the UK.