Support Officer - HR & Finance Link (Maternity Cover)

The Methodist Church in Britain; Stanford-le-Hope; Remote; GBP 23,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local Government Pension Scheme

CPD opportunities

Employee Assistance Programme

Career progression across the Trust

Wider support for workloads and work–l

Job summary

Arthur Bugler Primary School is seeking a Support Officer to join the administrative team on a fixed-term maternity cover, running from January 2027 to January 2028. The role connects the school office with the Trust HR and finance teams, handling absence records, payroll inputs, cash systems, trip finance and ordering.

Working hours are 37 per week, Monday to Friday, during term time only. Visa sponsorship is not available.

Qualifications

• Experience working in a school environment.
• Excellent organisational and administrative skills.
• Commitment to confidentiality and safeguarding.
• Ability to work as part of a team and independently when required.

Responsibilities

• Manage staff absence administration and HR records.
• Prepare payroll information including overtime and expenses.
• Provide administrative support for recruitment and HR processes.
• Maintain electronic cash handling systems and financial records.
• Act as finance lead for school trips and educational visits.
• Coordinate the ordering of goods and services for value and timely delivery.
• Be the first point of contact for finance queries from parents, staff and visitors.
• Provide high-quality administrative support for the wider school community.

Skills

School administration

Organisational skills

Communication skills

Confidentiality

Teamwork

Job description

Arthur Bugler Primary School is recruiting a Support Officer to its administrative team on fixed-term maternity cover, running from January 2027 to January 2028. The post links the school office with the Trust's HR and finance teams, covering absence records, payroll inputs, cash systems, trip finance and ordering. It is term-time only, 37 hours a week across Monday to Friday. Visa sponsorship is not available.

What the job involves

• Manage staff absence administration, keeping accurate HR records and supporting absence management processes
• Prepare and collate payroll information, including overtime and expense claims, to meet deadlines
• Provide administrative support for recruitment and HR processes with the Trust HR team
• Maintain the school's electronic cash handling systems and financial records
• Act as finance lead for educational visits and school trips
• Coordinate the ordering of goods and services, ensuring value for money and timely delivery
• Act as first point of contact for parents, staff and visitors on finance queries
• Provide high-quality administrative support to the wider school community and the smooth running of the school office

What’s required

Experience

• Experience working in a school environment

Skills & knowledge

• Excellent organisational and administrative skills
• Prioritising a varied workload and working accurately under pressure
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Excellent attention to detail
• Commitment to confidentiality
• Working as part of a team and independently when required

Checks & eligibility

• Enhanced DBS disclosure
• Satisfactory references

Other

• Commitment to supporting children, families and staff
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people

Nice to have

• Previous HR or finance experience
• Interest in developing HR and finance skills

What’s offered

• Recognition of continuous service
• Two-week October half term
• Automatic enrolment into the Local Government Pension Scheme
• CPD opportunities and career progression across the Trust
• National Conditions of Service
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Wider support for workloads and work-life balance
• Behaviour management policy to support staff