Executive Assistant

Shorefields; Tendring; Hybrid; GBP 27,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

The Colne Community School, part of the Sigma Trust, seeks an Executive Assistant to support the Head of School and Executive Headteacher and to act as joint Clerk to the Local Governance Committee.

You will oversee confidentiality and administrative delivery, line-manage the HR and admin teams, and work with SLT to shape the school’s development.

This 37-hour-per-week, 52-week-per-year role offers a competitive package and commitment to safeguarding, with inclusive, supportive colleagues.

Qualifications

• Good general education up to A-Level or equivalent.
• Excellent organisational and time management skills.
• Resilience and determination coupled with the ability to support and show empathy.

Responsibilities

• Provide confidential secretarial and administrative support to the Head of School/Executive Headteacher.
• Supervise the provision of P&C services for all staff, liaising with SLT, Sigma P&C and the Head of School/Executive Headteacher.
• Oversee the administrative team, including line management of the Office Manager and Finance Assistant.
• Provide administrative support/advice to the Local Governance Committee, including agendas and minutes.

Skills

Organisation

Time management

Empathy

Education

A-Level or equivalent

Job description

Job Ref No. ECC5460-517S Position Type: Administration Pay Range: LGPS 9, Point 29-33

Position Start Date: 01/12/2026 Contract Type: Full-time Contract Term: Permanent

Application Close: 18/10/2026 Midnight Date of Interviews: w/c Monday 18th October 2026

Join a Team that Builds Aspiration, Nurtures Resilience, and Instills Kindness at The Colne.
Are you a compassionate and dedicated individual who believes in putting students first? Do you want to be part of an inclusive and nurturing community where everyone is empowered to succeed?

At The Colne, we are committed to providing a safe and secure environment where students feel supported every step of the way, allowing them to grow into well-rounded individuals. By working closely with families and building positive relationships, we strive to immerse all our students in a culture that is inclusive and aspirational, helping them to dream big and reach their full potential.

A fantastic opportunity has arisen at Colne Community School to be part of an innovative and forward thinking school. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in the operational side of the school and will engage alongside the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) in the strategic development of the school.

We are looking to appoint an enthusiastic and innovative Executive Assistant to provide outstanding support to both the Head of School and the Executive Headteacher. The successful candidate will also act as joint Clerk to the Local Governance Committee (LGC) and line manage the HR Link and administrative teams.

The role will require a high level of confidentiality, flexibility and use of initiative to provide a smooth and effective delivery, often within tight timescales.

The successful candidate will be supported to shape and develop the Executive Assistant role over time and a suitable working pattern will be discussed with candidates at interview.

Our school is a community in which we believe everyone, students and staff alike, should have the opportunity to be nourished and grow. Therefore, we are seeking to recruit a proactive and reliable member of staff to enrich the skills and experience already present in our Pastoral and Attendance teams. We aim to foster an inclusive culture where everyone is able to learn from each other. The ideal candidate will be enthusiastic, confident and diligent.

Colne Community School is a member of the Sigma Trust. The Sigma Trust's mission is to be 'Greater Than The Sum Of Its Parts' and this is certainly a message that the Colne invests in too. We work closely with other schools within the Trust to improve standards and ensure that we are creating the best environment for our students to learn and our staff to develop.

Our ARK values of Aspiration, Resilience and Kindness describe the ethos that flows through our school. We expect all members of staff to feed into our values and lead by example to our students. We believe that every member of staff has the potential to impact on student experience and therefore we encourage our staff, both teaching and support, to immerse themselves in our school culture.

Applications from outstanding professionals who believe they can contribute to our school community are greatly welcomed. If you are willing to invest in us, we will invest in you which we believe makes the experience at the Colne especially exciting.

This role is 37 hours per week, 52 weeks per year (full time, working pattern to be discussed at interview)

A Day in the Life:

You’ll be responsible for bringing your passion and expertise to the following areas:

• To provide confidential secretarial and administrative support to the Head of School/Executive Headteacher as required.
• To supervise the provision of P&C services for all staff, liaising with SLT, Sigma P&C and the Head of School/Executive Headteacher.
• To have oversight of the administrative team, including the line management of the Office Manager, Finance Assistant and other non-teaching roles as required.
• To provide administrative support/advice to the local governance committee, including preparing agendas, minutes, associated paperwork and reports for different types of meetings.

(The full details can be found in the attached Job Outline and Person Specification).

What We’re Looking For:
You are the perfect fit for our team if you have:

• Good general education up to A-Level or equivalent
• Excellent organisational and time management skills
• Resilience and determination coupled with the ability to support and show empathy

Why Choose The Sigma Trust?
We believe in investing in our staff and fostering a culture of collaboration. We offer a competitive salary and a comprehensive package designed to support your professional and personal life.

Why work for The Sigma Trust, The Colne Community School?

We can offer you:

• Robust school CPD training programme that enables you to flourish
• Opportunities to work with colleagues across the Trust to share resources, ideas and build collaborative relationships
• Free tea and coffee available in all team rooms and communal staff room.
• Sociable and friendly staff.
• Staff weekly wellbeing opportunities.
• Staff social events.

Employee benefits include:

• A Health Cash Plan
• Employee Assistance Programme providing free and confidential advice
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Eligible for Blue Light Card

Commitment to Safeguarding & Diversity

The Sigma Trust is committed to safeguarding and protecting the children and young people that we work with. As such, all posts are subject to safer recruitment processes, including the disclosure of criminal records, online checks and other vetting checks. We ensure that we have a range of policies in place which promote safeguarding and safer working practice across our schools.

The Sigma Trust is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of any protected characteristics. This is embedded in our vision 'To Be Greater Than The Sum Of Its Parts', where we believe we are strong and more successful working together, creating a workplace which celebrates diversity.

We are unable to provide sponsorship for this position, so please ensure you have the right to work in the UK before you apply.

Information about the School

We are a unique school and college where young people make real achievements. Our school understands and embraces the challenge of change, diversity and innovation and we’re committed to developing teaching strategies which enable every student to be a successful learner. Our school is a learning environment that reflects the value we place on young people and their success to ensure that they grow into full participating citizens and have a real sense of their own worth.

The Colne Community School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.

SafeguardingThe Sigma Trust is committed to safeguarding and protecting the children and young people that we work with. As such, all posts are subject to safer recruitment process, including the disclosure of criminal records, online checks and other vetting checks. We ensure that we have a range of policies in place which promote safeguarding and safer working practice across our schools.

All appointments are subject to safer recruitment requirements to ensure the safeguarding of children and young people. All positions will involve appropriate checks and clearances.

Documents

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Sigma HR
The Colne Community School
Church Road, Brightlingsea
Essex, CO7 0QL Telephone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]