Head of Admissions

The Independent Schools Council; York and North Yorkshire; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

St Peter’s School in York area seeks a proactive Head of Admissions to lead the admissions function across day and boarding pupils. The role focuses on strategic leadership, data-driven recruitment, and exceptional customer service for prospective families.

You will manage a team, coordinate with Marketing, oversee visits and assessments, and ensure compliant, efficient processes from enquiry to offer and acceptance, supporting the school's growth and values.

Qualifications

• Strategic leadership to differentiate the admissions approach.
• Strong team leadership to drive professional standards and service.
• Pupil recruitment focus with collaboration with Marketing to diversify intake.
• Relationship management with parents, feeder schools, and alumni to aid retention and referrals.
• Data management and analysis of admissions metrics and conversion rates.
• Budget management and compliance with safeguarding and GDPR policies.

Responsibilities

• Develop and communicate an admissions strategy under the Head Master, Head of Senior School and COO.
• Lead, mentor and monitor the admissions team to maintain high standards and productivity.
• Oversee applications, entrance assessments, interviews and decision process with smooth operations.
• Coordinate with Marketing to maximize visits, open days and event delivery.
• Maintain MIS data quality and provide regular recruitment reports and insights.
• Manage feeder schools, Outreach programs, and relationships with agents/educational consultants.

Job description

About the Role

St Peter’s School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment by always complying with the school’s Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy and Procedures. The successful applicant will be required to undergo statutory pre-employment checks, including a Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Job Title: Head of Admissions

Reports to: The Head Master

Hours of work: 37.5 hours/week (52 weeks). There is some flexibility in hours but they are generally expected to be Monday to Friday 09:00 17:00, but some weekend and evening work will be required.

Accountabilities

1. Strategic Leadership:

Create an admissions strategy which effectively differentiates St Peter’s from its competitors

Implement the strategy in consultation with the Head Master, Head of the Senior School, Head of the Junior School and Chief Operating Officer

Develop and communicate an action plan to support the strategy

2. Team Leadership:

Lead and motivate a team of admissions professionals ensuring high standards of professionalism and customer service

Employ efficient working practices to increase quality, service and productivity

Develop initiative and technical skills in the admissions team

Assess resources and ensure effective departmental planning

Manage performance

3. Pupil Recruitment:

In partnership with the Marketing Department, ensure the School recruits its optimum number of pupils (both day and boarding) and increases the number, calibre and diversity of candidates applying to the School

Ensure communication with prospective parents and pupils is optimised and aligned with brand guidelines

Ensure prospective parents visits, visiting days, test and interview days and taster days run smoothly and are managed effectively and efficiently

Manage applications, entrance assessments and interviews efficiently and fairly

Work with the Head of the Junior School and Head of the Senior School on the decision making process and nurture families through to acceptance of places and induction processes leading up to their first full day at St Peter’s

4. Relationship Management and Customer Service:

Act as the main point of contact for prospective parents and pupils

Engage with current parents to support word-of-mouth referrals and retention

Maintain excellent relationships with all colleagues, particularly those closest to the admissions process

5. Data Management and Analysis:

Ensure the Admissions team accurately collect and input all admissions data in the School’s MIS systems

Follow process and procedural guidelines to ensure data is captured throughout all points of the admission process

Provide regular reports and analysis on pupil recruitment

Use data to inform the admission strategy and market development

Monitor conversion rates from enquiry to acceptance, identifying areas for improvement

6. Feeder Schools and Outreach:

Maintain excellent relationships with feeder schools, their leaders and influencers

Ensure the feeder school outreach programme is varied, innovative and effective

Support colleagues in the delivery of departmental events

Ensure the School is represented well at ‘future schools’ exhibitions

Maintain and develop excellent relationships with Agents and Educational Consultants supplying boarding pupils, ensuring they are provided with the information and resources they need to represent the School

Review and evaluate the effectiveness of each relationship

Evaluate the effectiveness of the outreach programme

7. Alumni:

Work with the Alumni Department Develop and maintain strong relationships with Old Peterites to drive recruitment and retention of pupils

8. Financial Management:

Manage the admissions budget effectively, ensuring all admissions initiatives are cost-effective and within budget parameters

Work effectively with the Director of Finance Director regarding applications for fee-assistance

9. Compliance

Ensure compliance with ISI Regulations relevant to Admissions

Ensure compliance with GDPR and safeguarding policies in the handling of pupil data

Ensure compliance with UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) regulations for international pupils and be responsible for the visa applications process

General

Health & Safety - You have a legal duty to take reasonable care of your own health and safety and that of others and you are expected to be familiar with, and adhere to, St Peter’s School’s Health and Safety policy.

School values – You have a duty to ensure your work, communication and approach conforms to the school’s core values and mission. You will need to be aware and comply with school rules, policies and procedures at all times including, but not limited to, those relating to safeguarding, conduct, equality and data protection.

St Peter's School strives to be diverse and inclusive. We encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, who are underrepresented at the school. The school is committed to providing equal opportunity to all employees and pupils. This means that employees are treated fairly, irrespective of sexual orientation, ethnic origin, religion, disability, age, gender, marital status or other reason. The post holder is expected to always comply with the provisions set out in law and the St Peter's policies on equality and diversity.

The school is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community – a place where we can all be ourselves and succeed on merit.

Note: This job description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of duties and responsibilities associated with the post. The post holder will be expected to comply with any reasonable request to undertake work of a similar level that is not specified in this job description.

This job description may be amended at any time in consultation with the postholder.