School Business Manager

Outcomes First Group; Linstead Parva; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life Assurance

Pension scheme

Wellbeing support

Flexible benefits

Job summary

Bramfield House School is seeking an experienced School Business Manager to lead day-to-day operations, including administration, finance, HR and examinations, while driving school improvement and effective use of resources.

As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will oversee budgeting, recruitment, compliance, safeguarding and data protection, partnering with the Headteacher to support strategic priorities and strong stakeholder relations within the local community.

Qualifications

• Strategic leadership of school operations including admin, finance, HR and examinations.
• Develop and lead administration team to high performance and service.
• Manage budgets, reporting, procurement and value for money.
• Coordinate recruitment, onboarding and safer recruitment practices.
• Ensure safeguarding, data protection and regulatory compliance.
• Collaborate with Headteacher on improvement priorities.
• Build relationships with parents and external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and management of the school's operational functions, including administration, finance, HR and examinations.
• Lead, support and develop the administration team, ensuring high standards of performance and customer service.
• Manage school budgets, financial reporting, purchasing processes and expenditure to ensure effective use of resources and value for money.
• Oversee recruitment, onboarding, induction and people processes, ensuring compliance with safer recruitment practices and employment procedures.
• Coordinate examinations and assessment administration, maintaining compliance with awarding body regulations and requirements.
• Ensure robust systems are in place to support safeguarding, visitor management, data protection and regulatory compliance, including Independent School Standards.
• Work closely with the Headteacher and Senior Leadership Team to support school improvement priorities and operational decision-making.
• Develop effective communication systems and positive relationships with parents, external agencies, central teams and the wider community.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Budget management

Compliance

Communication

Data protection

Job description

At Bramfield House School, we believe that exceptional education is built on exceptional people. As our School Business Manager, you'll be at the heart of our school community, ensuring that everything behind the scenes runs seamlessly so that our pupils can thrive. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced and proactive leader to join our Senior Leadership Team and play a pivotal role in shaping the operational success of our specialist setting. You'll oversee the day-to-day business functions of the school, leading support services including administration, finance, HR, compliance and examinations, while contributing to the school's strategic development and improvement journey. If you're an organised, solutions-focused professional who enjoys variety, thrives in a fast-paced environment and wants to make a meaningful impact, we'd love to hear from you. What You'll Be Doing

• Provide strategic leadership and management of the school's operational functions, including administration, finance, HR and examinations.
• Lead, support and develop the administration team, ensuring high standards of performance and customer service.
• Manage school budgets, financial reporting, purchasing processes and expenditure to ensure effective use of resources and value for money.
• Oversee recruitment, onboarding, induction and people processes, ensuring compliance with safer recruitment practices and employment procedures.
• Coordinate examinations and assessment administration, maintaining compliance with awarding body regulations and requirements.
• Ensure robust systems are in place to support safeguarding, visitor management, data protection and regulatory compliance, including Independent School Standards.
• Work closely with the Headteacher and Senior Leadership Team to support school improvement priorities and operational decision-making.
• Develop effective communication systems and positive relationships with parents, external agencies, central teams and the wider community.
  We're looking for someone who:
• Full UK driving licence
• Has experience in administration, financial management and operational leadership.
• Ideally has experience working within an educational setting and understands the demands of a school environment.
• Is a confident leader with the ability to motivate, support and develop teams.
• Has excellent organisational, IT, financial and data management skills.
• Is an effective communicator who can build positive relationships with staff, families and external stakeholders.
• Can manage competing priorities, use initiative and work calmly under pressure.
• Is committed to safeguarding, confidentiality and achieving the very best outcomes for pupils.
  Bramfield House School is an independent special educational needs school for boys aged 7 - 16 years who have social, emotional, mental health, communication difficulties and associated challenging behaviours, located in rural Suffolk. The School has a committed and innovative multidisciplinary team, extensive site and excellent facilities to support both learning and extra-curricular activities; we are in a great position to provide our pupils with the best education possible.
• This opportunity is in Halesworth which is within commutable distance of Lowestoft, Diss and surrounding areas. Acorn Education offers rewarding careers and meaningful challenges while making a real difference in young people's lives. As a leading UK provider of specialist education for children and young people with special educational needs, and part of Outcomes First Group, we deliver innovative, evidence-based approaches that support measurable progress and lasting impact. We are really proud to say that in 2025, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a 'Great Place to Work' for the sixth year running.
  We place pupils and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference. We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.
• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase contributions
• "Your Wellbeing Matters" - mental health support and physical health checks
• Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including:
  + Health, wellbeing and insurance benefits + Hundreds of UK and international discounts + Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme + Critical illness cover + Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support