Office Manager

Chadwell Heath Academy; London Borough of Redbridge; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Chadwell Heath Academy is seeking an Office Manager to work closely with Trustees and the Headteacher, providing high‑level leadership for administrative operations. You will oversee clerical teams, ensure smooth data handling, pupil welfare, and confidentiality, and support governance processes with tact and discretion.

The role requires proactive workload management, line management of admin staff, and collaboration with the leadership team to uphold the Academy’s vision and standards.

Qualifications

• Experience leading an administration team and developing staff.
• Ability to handle sensitive situations with discretion and integrity.
• Strong organisational skills and proactive workload management.
• Experience liaison with Headteacher, Governing Body and trustees.
• Knowledge of data protection, confidentiality and safeguarding practices.

Responsibilities

• Supervise clerical support and ensure efficient admin services across the Academy.
• Input high-level oversight of safeguarding, pupil welfare and statistical control.
• Line-manage administration staff and support professional development.
• Provide admin support to Headteacher, SLT and Governing Body, including minutes.
• Maintain pupil and staff records and ensure compliance with data protection.
• Oversee recruitment processes and workforce census reporting.
• Ensure health and safety compliance and maintain necessary documentation.
• Coordinate estates and services with Premises Manager and leadership team.
• Attend training and Academy events; align decisions with the Academy’s vision.

Skills

Leadership

Discretion

Initiative

Prioritisation

Team supervision

Tools

MIS systems

Data protection

Payroll data handling

Job description

The Office Manager will work closely with the Trustees and Headteacher, advising on and implementing the day-to-day support that enables the Academy to operate effectively and efficiently, and that allows other members of the leadership team to focus on teaching and learning. Therefore, the Office Manager will be expected to input at a high level of responsibility for the successful and smooth running of the Academy in many areas, particularly the supervision of all clerical support, statistical control and pupil welfare.The appointee will be expected to be able to handle difficult/sensitive situations without supervision; be proactive and use initiative; prioritise and manage their own workload and supervise the workload of others., Be responsible for line managing administration staff, their professional development, always working to develop the team to provide the best possible administrative support to the Academy.

The appointee will be expected to be able to handle difficult/sensitive situations without supervision; be proactive and use initiative; prioritise and manage their own workload and supervise the workload of others., Be responsible for line managing administration staff, their professional development, always working to develop the team to provide the best possible administrative support to the Academy.

The role may involve working with sensitive and confidential information; a high level of confidentiality, discretion and professional integrity is essential.

Monitor and quality assure administration and communication systems so that they run smoothly and efficiently

Ensure that front of Officer staff at reception provide a high-quality service to Staff, Parents, Pupils and Visitors by taking appropriate action swiftly and appropriately using tact, diplomacy and confidentiality at all times

Ensure efficient systems for the maintenance of pupil and staff records

Provide administrative support for the Headteacher, and the Governing Body and its committees as appropriate.

Attend training sessions, meetings and Academy events as required.

Ensure that all decisions are in line х the vision and values of the Academy

PERSONNEL

Ensure that all the necessary financial data required for payroll is submitted when:

A new appointment is made.

Changes are made to an existing member of staff's terms and conditions.

A member of staff's employment terminates.

Ensure that all staff personnel details relating for example: to salaries, pensions, sickness and leave of absence, are included in individual secure personnel files and on the Academy's computer system.

Ensure that staff are kept informed of relevant changes and developments in employment matters, for example: matters of maternity, leave of absence, sickness and pension related.

Ensure that all aspects relating to work status and registration, immigration and sponsorship are followed including liaison with all relevant parties as necessary - for example: The Home Office.

Support the Headteacher, SLT, and Trustees with the implementation and operation of all internal personnel policies - for example: discipline, grievance, capability, redundancy, absence monitoring and equality schemes including the appeals process.

In conjunction with the Headteacher and SLT, to be responsible for managing the recruitment process for all staff in line with the Academy's Recruitment and Employment Protocols.

Oversee and manage processes relating to Office staff absence and the organisation of the necessary cover to enable the Academy to operate effectively during periods of staff absence.

Be responsible for the completion of the Academy Workforce Census, ensuring its accuracy and submission in a timely manner.

SAFEGUARDING

Safeguarding encompasses the duties of child protection and promoting the rights and welfare of children. As such it is everyone's responsibility to safeguard children in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education and provide a safe environment in which children can learn.

Be responsible for ensuring that The Single Central Record is maintained and updated as required.

HEALTH & SAFETY

Manage processes to support the Academy's compliance with health and safety regulations, processes and procedures to minimise risks for all in the Academy

Manage health and safety training for staff, including booking courses, monitoring renewal dates and ensuring statutory training requirements are met

Maintain and update the necessary health and safety procedural documentation for the Academy ensuring this is communicated and displayed as required, co-ordinating any updates as necessary

ADMINISTRATION

Establish and use effective methods to review and improve administrative systems within the Academy.

Undertake responsibility to ensure that all manual and computerised records and filing systems relating to all areas within the remit are maintained as required and thereby ensure an efficient and effective administration service for the Academy.

Work with relevant Leaders to manage the Academy's compliance with data protection regulations.

Provide administrative support to the Headteacher and SLT as required, for example: taking minutes/notes in meetings and circulating associated information, dealing with correspondence.

In conjunction with the MIS Manager and Office staff, be responsible for the termly completion of the School Pupil Census Collection,ensuring its accuracy and submission in a timely manner.

Be responsible for liaising with the Academy Solicitor with regards to the annual return submitted to Companies House regarding the composition of the Governing Body.

In conjunction with the Chairman of Governors and the Headteacher, to be responsible for the preparation and distribution of all necessary paperwork for meetings of the Governing Body, its committees and the Annual General Meeting.

ESTATES AND SERVCES

In conjunction with School Leadership team and Academy Premises Manager, oversee the Risk Protection Arrangement (RPA) and ensure that the Academy is, at all times, properly insured.

NOTE: To carry out other duties as required by the Headteacher. This job description does not attempt to define all duties and responsibilities of the post but is intended to be a framework. It may be subject to modification or amendment by the Headteacher after consultation with the post holder.