Administrative Assistant

Surrey County Council; Ashford; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 21,000; Full time

Job summary

An exciting opportunity for a strong administrator at the Fordway Centre, a new purpose-built school in Ashford. The role involves key tasks such as front-of-house reception duties and day-to-day administration within a supportive team. Ideal candidates will have good communication and organizational skills and demonstrate resilience, in a welcoming environment dedicated to the welfare of students.

Benefits

A Chromebook

Employee Assistance Programme

Pension Scheme

Sociable and friendly staff

Free tea, coffee and biscuits

Qualifications

• Empower staff and students in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrate high expectations and standards.
• Ability to learn quickly and acquire new skills.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the first point of contact for the school.
• Manage day-to-day administration and student transport.
• Handle petty cash, monitor student attendance, and perform first aid.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Organization

Multi-tasking

IT skills (Google docs preferred)

Resilience

Sense of humour

Job description

• Location: The Fordway Centre, Stanwell Road, Ashford, TW15 3DU

Description

Please note that this vacancy is not part of Surrey County Council, we are advertising this on behalf of a partnership organisation.

The salary range for this role is £18,853 to £20,187 per annum based on a 32.5 hour working week. (FTE £24,275 - £25,993)

Rewards and Benefits

• 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!

About the Organisation

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.

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.

About the Role

We are looking to appoint a strong administrator with good communication skills, who works calmly under pressure.

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 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.

We welcome visits to the school, if you would like to arrange this or discuss the role further please contact Sam Dawson – Acting Head of School [e-mail] / 07368 630797.

Additional information

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 2025, 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.

The close date of this advert is 24th June 2025 at 9am with interviews planned for w/c 30th June 2025.

Early application is strongly encouraged as we reserve the right to close the advert ahead of the closing date. In accordance with KCSiE and Safer Recruitment we cannot accept CVs.

Applicants must hold the right to reside and work in the UK.

To apply for this role, please click HERE and complete a full application form.