PA to Principal

Do you have extensive administration and PA experience? We are currently looking to appoint a diligent and organised PA to support and oversee diary management for the Principal of Harris Academy Chobham.
About Us
Harris Academy Chobham is always on the lookout for inspirational and influential staff. Most of all, we are on the lookout for potential colleagues who like our students and want to help them succeed. We understand that if staff are to give their best to our students over a sustained period of time, then the school needs to provide them with the best deal possible. In order to help our staff have the best possible experience and achieve a proper work- life balance, we have put into place a range of measures to benefit both our teaching and students services colleagues. These include:
An extra week of holiday for all Harris Academy Chobham staff. This takes the form of a two-week half term in October. We work fewer days than most other schools.
Outstanding professional development both at Harris Academy Chobham and through the wider Harris Federation
Excellent promotion opportunities
A constant dialogue about workload and how to manage it most effectively. We have regular workload audits, and frequent campaigns to tackle unnecessary work and identify quick wins
Rapid and effective support with any student behavioural issues arising
A high-quality staff induction programme
Marking protocols devised by departments themselves
Clear communications and manageable deadlines. We only ask staff to do what is necessary and avoid complication and confusion.
Learning walks rather than formal lesson observations. These are not graded
Nursery on site
Flexible and part time working encouraged whenever possible
Additional time for leadership responsibilities
High levels of administrative support for all teachers
Other benefits of working at Harris Academy Chobham:

World-class facilities for learning, leisure and sport. A school which is genuinely at the heart of its local community
The advantages of working for the country’s most successful major Academy group. These include amazing consultant support and a range of high-quality central services.
Generous Harris rewards and benefits package, including £2000 annually for Mainscale/Upper teachers.
We regard staff wellness as being central to the school’s purpose and to its success.  We have several initiatives which we think give Harris Academy Chobham staff one of the best wellness packages to be found anywhere, including:
Access to the Calm mindfulness app
Staff fitness suite and multiple team sports opportunities
Staff social events
Staff discounts at shops and restaurants in the local area
Access to the Harris Federation’s staff counselling service , Dedicated Wellness Hub
Healix Healthcare package
The complete Wellness Strategy can be read on our website.
Main Areas of Responsibility
Your responsibilities will include:

Presenting the professional and welcoming face of the academy to all visitors, staff and students, including telephone callers, and organising refreshments as appropriate
Managing the Principal’s diary for all appointments and meetings
Being the first line of contact between the Principal and any phone calls, requests from staff or visitors, ensuring only appropriate contact is made
Managing communications from the Principal to employees, ensuring information is shared in a timely manner
Liaising with Federation admin teams and PAs across the Federation as appropriate.
Proofreading documentation on behalf of the Principal and making necessary amendments
Tracking delegated tasks where required and monitoring progress, chasing any documentation or responses not received and keeping the Principal informed as appropriate
Typing up, disseminating and filing all agendas and minutes for meetings involving the Principal
Maintaining the Principal’s filing systems
Liaising with Governors to ensure paperwork for meetings has been circulated, completing ad hoc reports for Governors’ meetings, dealing with Governors’ enquiries and collecting/forwarding relevant correspondence
Supporting staff on HR procedures and policies, arranging meetings and maintaining the necessary records
Completing the monthly payroll
Collating and filing performance appraisal documentation
Managing the recruitment and appointments process for new staff, including advertising for staff, processing job applications, requesting references, arranging interviews and initiating all necessary pre-employment checks
Completing documentation for contracts and bank details for payroll and HR
Maintaining accurate and up to date staff sickness records and preparing reports
Organising and maintaining confidential staff files
Taking responsibility for accuracy of the Academies Single Central Record
Supporting the Finance business manager in negotiating, managing and monitoring contracts and tenders
Managing and maintaining administrative systems and procedures to ensure that they operate efficiently
Overseeing and implementing financial processes
Work with the Principal and Harris Federation Financial team in the preparation, general supervision and maintenance of the academy budget
Supporting the finance officer with maintenance of the Academy Fund and all associated banking services
Qualifications & Experience
We would like to hear from you if you have:

Appropriate degree or equivalent level of education
Training in the use of a variety of ICT packages
Knowledge of personal assistant roles and responsibilities
Training in typing and formatting of a variety of documents including spreadsheets
At least two years’ experience working in school or other educational establishment
Experience work in an inner city school or with inner city students
Experience of managing staff in relation to the PA role
Some experience of human resources e.g. recruitment and/or monitoring attendance
Experience of working to targets and deadlines
Experience of managing meetings including preparation and circulation of papers, minutes and ensuring information is circulated as required
Experience of managing diaries at a high level, including communication with a range of audiences.
Experience of managing high profile events
Experience of developing policies, processes and procedures
For a full job description and person specification, please download the Job Pack.
Next Steps
If you have any questions about this opportunity, please send us an email, or call to arrange a conversation.

Before applying, please download the Job Pack for full details on the job responsibilities and person specification. This will be helpful for you when completing your application, and throughout the recruitment process.

We encourage you to apply as soon as possible as we may interview and offer to a candidate before the closing date. Please note that we only accept applications submitted before the closing date via our careers website.
Professional Development & Benefits
Our people are at the heart of our success. We have developed a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of top-quality training programmes delivered at every level.

In addition to the opportunities for career development and progression, we also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package which includes our Harris Allowance for teachers on MPS/UPS, a Performance and Loyalty Bonus, Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions, a Wellbeing Cash Plan and many other benefits. Learn more about our benefits on our website.
Safeguarding Notice
The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, references, an online search, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed.
Equal Opportunities
The Harris Federation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

We value the diversity of our staff and students, and everyone at the Harris Federation is equally valued and respected. We aim to be an inclusive employer that reflects the communities we serve. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment.