Administrative Assistant
Orchard Head Junior and Infant and Nursery School, Pontefract, West Yorkshire, WF8 2NJ21 days remaining to apply
Job start date
5 January 2026
Closing date
14 November 2025 at 10am
Date listed
22 October 2025
Job details
Job role
- Administration, HR, data and finance
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- £22,030.00 - £22,378.00 pro rata (£25,584.00 - £25,989.00 FTE) per annum
Administrative Assistant job summary
‘Are you a detail-oriented professional seeking a rewarding support staff position where your organisational skills can make a real impact on educational successes?’
About the role
We are looking to appoint a motivated, professional and committed Administrative Assistant to join our friendly and dynamic administrative team at Orchard Head Junior, Infant & Nursery School.
This is a key role within the school, supporting the smooth running of day-to-day operations and contributing to the wider school community. The successful candidate will provide a high-quality administrative service to pupils, staff, parents, visitors and external stakeholders, ensuring that all interactions are handled with efficiency, professionalism and care.
Key Responsibilities Include:
- Acting as the first point of contact at reception, welcoming visitors and managing enquiries both in person and by telephone.
- Supporting pupil welfare, including administering basic first aid and liaising with parents and staff.
- Maintaining and updating pupil records and school databases in line with Trust policies.
- Assisting with the organisation and administration of school activities, events, educational visits and clubs.
- Providing general office support including photocopying, filing, mail distribution and document handling.
- Supporting financial administration tasks such as recording transactions, handling cash, and ensuring compliance with Trust financial procedures.
- Contributing to the preparation and support of meetings and school events.
- Communicating effectively with parents, staff and external agencies, including passing on messages and arranging appointments.
We’re Looking For Someone Who:
- Has experience in front-of-house/reception duties and delivering excellent customer service.
- Is confident using IT systems including Microsoft Office and school databases.
- Can work effectively as part of a team and follow instructions with initiative and reliability.
- Has strong organisational skills and can manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
- Demonstrates high standards of professionalism, confidentiality and integrity.
- Is flexible, proactive and committed to supporting the school’s values and safeguarding responsibilities.
Contract Details:
- Working Hours: 37 hours per week
- Monday to Thursday: 8:00am – 4:00pm
- Friday: 8:00am – 3:30pm
- Working Pattern: Term time only, plus five additional days (totalling 195 working days per year)
- Contract Type: Permanent
About Orchard Head Junior, Infant & Nursery School
At Orchard Head, success begins with strong foundations. Our dedicated staff are committed to nurturing a lifelong love for learning in every child, empowering them to become confident, independent, and successful individuals. We take pride in our above-national Key Stage 2 attainment and progress outcomes, reflecting our unwavering focus on academic excellence. Beyond academics, our personalised development opportunities enrich the curriculum, providing pupils with memorable experiences that shape their holistic growth. Together as a school community, we celebrate our achievements and eagerly anticipate continued growth, flourishing, and success at Orchard Head.
About Pontefract Academies Trust
Pontefract Academies Trust is a cross-phase Multi-Academy Trust comprising of nine schools: seven primary and two secondary schools. Our mission is to run high-quality, high-achieving schools that give our children and young people the chances in life they deserve.
We are proud of the exceptional progress our schools are making. At Key Stage 2, our primary outcomes are 24% above the national average, with five of our seven primaries ranked in the top 5% nationally for combined outcomes. In the last 12 months alone, three of our primary schools – Carleton Park, Larks Hill, and Halfpenny Lane – were rated Outstanding in all areas by Ofsted. Our secondary schools also continue to deliver strong outcomes. Key Stage 4 results in English, Maths and Science are consistently well above the national average, and both schools received successful Ofsted visits in 2022 and 2024.
We take pride in our workplace culture and the strength of our team. In our 2025 Staff Survey with Edurio, we received outstanding feedback, earning three awards based on national data from the 2024/25 academic year:
- National: Trust Value Award – Excellence
- Regional: Staff Choice Award (Larks Hill Junior & Infant School)
- Regional: Trust Benefit School Award (De Lacy Primary School)
These awards reflect the culture we’ve built – one where staff feel valued, listened to, and part of something meaningful.
Looking ahead, we’ve recently announced an exciting development, a proposed merger with Ark Schools, planned for September 2026. This step reflects our ambition to grow, never settle, and to do what’s right for our pupils, staff, and community. This change will bring even stronger support, greater collaboration, and more opportunities. We’re excited for what’s ahead and we hope that you’ll consider joining us as we continue to grow.
What can we offer you?
We’re passionate about employee benefits at Pontefract Academies Trust, offering the following as standard to all:
- For the 2025/26 academic year, we will be providing staff with three Everyday Development (EDD) days. These development days will offer you self-directed time away from the workplace to recharge and reflect on your personal and career goals.
- Everyday Development (EDD) Framework: A simple, personal and flexible goal-based approach to continuous learning, career growth and wellbeing.
- Exciting career and leadership pathways supported by outstanding CPD opportunities
- Generous employer pension (West Yorkshire Pension Fund - LGPS)
- Generous annual leave entitlements paid as part of your annual salary (26 - 33 days based on service and grade) + 8 statutory bank holidays,
- Fantastic family friendly policies with a focus on employee work/life balance
- Cycle to work scheme, Blue Light card, discounted gym membership
- Free eyecare via Specsavers, childcare vouchers
- Employee wellbeing programme (including physiotherapy, personal or professional concerns on legal, health, finance, wellbeing, and other matters)
- Discounts at numerous retailers including O2
- Free flu vaccinations.
Important Links
Pontefract Academies Trust Website
Trust Strategic Plan for 2025 to 2028
Orchard Head J,I&N School Website
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 10:00am, Friday 14th November 2025
- Interviews to be held: w/c 17/11/25
- Start date: Monday 5th January 2025
Application Process
- Complete an application form via our website
Further Information
- Contact: 01977 723495 or recruitment@orchardhead.patrust.org.uk
We are an equal opportunities employer, welcoming applications from everyone.
The Pontefract Academies Trust is wholly committed to the safeguarding of all children and young people whilst promoting their welfare.
Any offer of employment will be subject to receipt of a satisfactory DBS Enhanced Disclosure and pre-employment checks (including online checks). Shortlisted applicants will also be asked to provide a self-declaration form.
Further information about the job
Commitment to safeguarding
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.
Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.
Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children
You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.
Applying for the job
This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
View advert on external website (opens in new tab)About Orchard Head Junior and Infant and Nursery School
- School type
- Academy, ages 3 to 11
- Education phase
- Primary
- School size
- 358 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 3 to 11
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
At Orchard Head J, I & N School, we aspire to be a happy, vibrant and successful school. We believe in laying the foundations on which children can build their futures. Our staff work hard to instill an early love for learning; they aim to capture and nurture it, enabling our children to grow into confident, independent and successful individuals.
School location
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