Office Manager/PA to the Principal (St Edwards Church of England Academy)

We Manage Jobs(WMJobs); Leek; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A school in Leek is seeking a dedicated Office Manager/PA to the Principal to oversee the administrative systems and support the leadership team. The ideal candidate will possess strong organizational and communication skills, with an ability to maintain confidentiality and lead a team effectively. This role offers a chance to impact the school's operations positively, with full training provided for specific management systems.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in office management or PA role, preferably in an educational setting.
• Strong communication skills, discretion, and integrity in handling sensitive information.
• Experience in managing administrative systems and understanding safeguarding requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the school office team to ensure smooth administrative operations.
• Provide personal assistant support to the Principal and Senior Leadership Team.
• Act as Data Protection Officer, ensuring compliance with data protection legislation.

Skills

Communication

Confidentiality

Organizational skills

Microsoft Office

Leadership

Tools

Arbor Management Information System

Job description

Office Manager/PA to the Principal

37 Hours Per Week / Term time (+ 2 weeks)

Salary Range: Grade 7 (SCP 15-22) £29,093 - £32,654 Pro Rata

Actual Salary: £26,552 - £29,802 per year

Days of work: Monday to Friday

START DATE: September 2025

We are looking for a highly organised and experienced School Office Manager/PA to take overall responsibility for the efficient operation of the school’s administrative systems, providing essential support to the Principal, Senior Leadership Team, and wider school community.

The successful candidate will ideally have proven experience in an office management or PA role, preferably within an educational setting, with excellent organisational skills and the ability to prioritise tasks efficiently.

This role offers the opportunity to work closely with the Principal and Senior Leadership Team, delivering confidential personal assistance and overseeing all administrative functions within the Academy. The post holder will lead the administrative team and act as a key liaison for staff, trustees, parents, and external agencies.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide personal assistant support to the Principal, assisting the Senior Leadership Team as required.
• Lead and manage the school office team to ensure smooth and effective administrative operations. Coordinate governance activities, collaborating with Trustees and other relevant stakeholders.
• Act as the Data Protection Officer, ensuring compliance with all data protection legislation and GDPR requirements. This includes managing data, implementing policies and procedures, and serving as the main point of contact for data protection matters.
• Drive continuous improvement of administrative systems and processes.
• Analyse and evaluate data, preparing reports as needed, including responsibility for statutory returns such as the School Census.
• Manage the whole-school admissions process, including organising tours and liaising with prospective families.
• Serve as the primary contact for visitors during school events, supporting the Senior Leadership Team with the coordination and delivery of these activities.

The ideal candidate will:

• Have strong communication skills and demonstrate discretion and integrity in the handling of sensitive information
• Be professional and have the ability to maintain confidentiality at all times
• Be proficient in Microsoft Office and management information systems
• Be proactive and flexible with a can-do attitude
• Bring a resilient mindset and the ability to handle challenging situations with professionalism and composure
• Be able to lead and motivate a team.
• Have a thorough understanding of safeguarding requirements and a commitment to promoting the welfare of children

We are looking for someone who takes pride in their work, demonstrates strong attention to detail, and is committed to ensuring the smooth and efficient running of all administrative processes with the Academy. Although experience of Arbor Management Information System is desirable, full training will be provided.

Recruitment Timetable

Closing date for applications: Thursday 3^rd July 2025 (by 08:00am) - References will be requested at this stage

Interviews – Friday 11^th July 2025

HOW TO APPLY

Please download an application pack from our website.

Visits to the school are strongly encouraged. To arrange a school visit please contact Nicola Rushton on 01538 714747 or via email at [e-mail]

Please do not send a general letter or CV; we really are looking for someone who is prepared to respond to us as an individual school. You can be assured that we will take time and care when reading your application form; we appreciate how much effort is involved in preparing such a document.