PA to Principal

Inspiration Trust; Great Yarmouth; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational trust is seeking an experienced Personal Assistant (Maternity Cover) at Great Yarmouth Charter Academy. The role involves providing confidential support to the Principal, managing the front office activities, and ensuring superior levels of service delivery. The ideal candidate will have exceptional organizational skills, a strong communication background, and experience in handling confidential information. This exciting position offers the chance to work in a dynamic and progressive environment, managing a small team and contributing to the success of the academy.

Benefits

Generous annual leave

Health Plan and Employee Assistance Programme

Cycle-to-work scheme

Free parking

Personalised CPD and development programmes

Qualifications

• Experience in a PA role, excellent communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities under pressure.
• Experience dealing with confidential information and GDPR compliance.

Responsibilities

• Provide confidential and efficient support to the Principal.
• Manage day-to-day activities of the front office.
• Support the Principal in delivering high standard school services.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Strong organizational skills

IT skills

Discretion and confidentiality

People skills

Education

GCSE or equivalent in Maths and English

NVQ Level 3 or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office (SharePoint, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Job description

Salary: Support Staff Pay Scale G: £29,516 to £31,540 pro-rata per annum (Actual) (£31,537 - £33,699 full time/full year equivalent)

Fixed Term: until 2nd April 2027

Working Weeks: 42 weeks

Start Date: May 2026

Great Yarmouth Charter Academy is looking for an experienced PA (Maternity Cover) to provide confidential and efficient support to the Principal. The post holder will manage and delegate appropriately the day-to-day activities of the front office.

This is an exciting, challenging role for someone looking to work in a fast-paced and progressive environment. You will have experience in a PA role, excellent communication and organisational skills, a keen eye for detail, and excellent IT skills.

You will support the Principal to ensure the school’s services are delivered to a high and professional standard. Duties will include diary management, document preparation, event and meetings management, communications, meeting and greeting visitors, and management of filing systems. You will be required to manage a small admin team.

What You’ll Be Doing

• To provide confidential, efficient and effective personal assistant support to the Principal and act as an ambassador for the Executive Principal/Principal and Academy in all matters.
• To manage and delegate appropriately the day-to-day activities of the main school office.
• To support the Principal in helping to ensure the Academy teaching and non-teaching services are delivered to a high standard in keeping with the aims and objectives of the Trust.

About You

You will be someone with exceptional organisation, strong communication, utmost discretion and confidentiality, a proactive and positive attitude, adaptability, excellent ICT skills, and strong people skills to manage diverse stakeholders.

Essential

• Good level of education preferably including GCSE (or equivalent) in Maths and English
• NVQ Level 3 or equivalent in a relevant discipline or equivalent experience
• Sound experience of development, management and operation of organisational and administrative procedures (ideally in a school setting)
• Experience of dealing with confidential information and complying with the General Data Protection Regulations
• Ability to manage multiple priorities under pressure, troubleshoot, and to meet short-and long-term deadlines
• Ability to build good working relationships with a range of Trustees, Academy Committee members, external stakeholders and to be able to deal with difficult, often unexpected situations as and when they arise in a calm and effective manner
• Excellent IT skills, including being skilled in the use of Microsoft Office products including SharePoint, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Excellent communication skills, both written and spoken, in dealing with a wide range of visitors / stakeholders

Desirable

• Experience of attending and recording minutes at meetings up to and including Board level
• Experience of effectively line managing a small team
• Experience of working in an education setting

We Offer

• Generous annual leave, and access to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) with excellent employer contributions
• Health Plan and Employee Assistance Programme, including 24/7 virtual GP access, mental health support and claim-back options for healthcare costs
• Cycle-to-work scheme, retail and theatre discounts (including discounted shopping vouchers, dentist and gym memberships), and salary sacrifice options (including home technology)
• Free parking at most sites
• Personalised CPD and development programmes
• A structured and specific induction programme

*Terms and conditions apply. Some benefits are only available following successfully passing probation.

About Us

Great Yarmouth Charter Academy was rated Good by Ofsted in June 2024. The report highlighted that "Pupils at Great Yarmouth Charter Academy are proud to attend the school. It provides them with a safe and structured environment. It is a place where pupils can thrive and achieve their potential."

Over the last four rounds of Year 7 admissions, the school has become oversubscribed with first-choice pupils. Our current job opportunities reflect this growth and our ongoing commitment to supporting students from our local community.

We are part of the Inspiration Trust; a thriving family of schools across Norfolk and North Suffolk, recognised nationally for pupil progress and excellence in teaching and leadership. We believe every young person deserves the best education, regardless of background. The Trust specialises in transforming schools in disadvantaged areas and taking academies from failing to outstanding.

The Trust offers extensive networks and opportunities to collaborate with a diverse range of schools and partners. We are committed to delivering outstanding professional and learning opportunities for all staff, supported by a rich programme of continuing professional development led by some of the country’s leading educational thinkers and practitioners.

Contact Information

If you would like to know more about this exciting opportunity, please contact the Principal’s PA on [e-mail] or call the school on 01493 842061.

Closing date for applications: 12pm on Sunday 25th January 2026

Interview date: Monday 2nd February 2026

Safeguarding and Equal Opportunities

Inspiration Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All staff appointments are subject to satisfactory references and enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service checks. We are an equal opportunities employer.