PA to the Headteacher

Oakwood; Horley; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discounted gym membership

EV charging points

Employee discount platform

Job summary

Oakwood School is seeking an exceptional PA to the Headteacher to provide high‑level administrative support at the heart of the school. You will manage the Headteacher’s diary, draft correspondence, organise meetings and minutes, and support governors and senior leaders with confidential governance and project tasks.

The role is term-time with additional weeks, offering a rewarding opportunity to influence school priorities and student outcomes.

Qualifications

• Significant experience providing high-level administrative or PA support.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines with confidence.
• Excellent communication and attention to detail for high-quality correspondence.
• Handles confidential information with discretion and integrity.
• Experience in education or governance activities is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Provide confidential support to the Headteacher and Senior Leadership Team.
• Manage complex diary and prioritise commitments.
• Draft, edit and manage correspondence on behalf of the Headteacher.
• Coordinate meetings, events and school functions with agendas and papers.
• Take minutes and monitor actions from meetings.
• Support Governors with information and documentation preparation.
• Act as a key contact for parents, staff and external partners.
• Ensure data protection compliance in records and systems.
• Deliver high-quality administrative and project support for school improvement.
• Collaborate across the school to keep school operations running smoothly.

Skills

PA experience

Diary management

Communication skills

Discretion

Governance support

Tools

Microsoft Office

Data management

Job description

PA to the Headteacher

Surrey Pay Grade 7

36 hours per week, 40 weeks per year (Term Time plus 1 week)

Required: January 2027

An exciting opportunity to play a key role in a thriving school

We are seeking an exceptional individual to become our next PA to the Headteacher, providing high‑level executive and administrative support at the heart of our school.

This is a varied, fast‑paced and rewarding role requiring a highly organised professional who can manage competing priorities, exercise sound judgement and maintain absolute confidentiality. Working closely with the Headteacher and Senior Leadership Team, you will be responsible for ensuring the efficient operation of the Headteacher's office while supporting strategic school priorities and key stakeholder relationships.

You will act as a trusted professional partner to the Headteacher, providing proactive support, anticipating needs, and ensuring that deadlines, communications and priorities are managed effectively.

The Role

The successful candidate will:

• Provide comprehensive and confidential support to the Headteacher.
• Manage a complex and demanding diary, ensuring effective prioritisation of commitments.
• Draft, edit and manage correspondence on behalf of the Headteacher.
• Coordinate meetings, events and school functions, including preparing agendas, papers and presentations.
• Take accurate minutes and monitor actions arising from meetings.
• Support the work of Governors, including the organisation of meeting data preparation of documentation.
• Act as a key point of contact for parents, staff, governors and external agencies.
• Handle sensitive matters with diplomacy, professionalism and discretion.
• Maintain accurate records and information systems, ensuring compliance with data protection requirements.
• Support school improvement priorities through the provision of high‑quality administrative and project support.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across the school to ensure the smooth operation of school business.

About You

We are looking for an exceptional individual who:

• Has significant experience providing high‑level administrative, PA or executive support and is able to manage multiple priorities, deadlines and competing demands with confidence.
• Demonstrates excellent communication skills, outstanding attention to detail and the ability to produce high‑quality correspondence, reports and documentation.
• Handles confidential and sensitive information with professionalism, discretion and integrity.
• Builds positive and effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including staff, governors, parents and external partners.
• Is confident using Microsoft Office and other digital systems, works independently, uses initiative and solves problems effectively.
• Remains calm, professional and adaptable in a busy environment and is committed to delivering excellent support to senior leaders.
• Ideally has experience within an educational setting, including supporting senior leaders, governance activities, projects or large‑scale events.

What We Offer

At Oakwood School, we value our staff and recognise the contribution they make to our success. We offer:

• A welcoming and inclusive school community
• A highly supportive leadership team.
• A school that values pastoral care and student wellbeing.
• High‑quality professional development opportunities.
• The opportunity to shape and develop behaviour provision.
• A rewarding role with significant impact on students' lives.
• Competitive salary package and benefits aligned with sector standards
• Discounted gym membership
• EV charging points at preferential rates
• Access to an employee discount platform with savings on cinemas, shopping, dining, travel, and everyday purchases.

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity for a highly capable and motivated professional to work at the centre of school leadership. We are looking for someone who is not simply an administrator, but a trusted colleague who can provide the organisation, professionalism and attention to detail that enables our Headteacher and wider leadership team to focus on delivering the best possible outcomes for our students.

Oakwood School reserves the right to withdraw this advert early should circumstances change.

Oakwood School is committed to Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Any successful applicant will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure check by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020.

Oakwood School is committed to creating a diverse workforce. We will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to sex, race, religion, belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy, maternity, age, disability, marriage or civil partnership.