Office Manager and Clerk to the Governors
The Whitstable School, Whitstable, Kent, CT5 1PXThis job expired on 18 July 2025 – see similar jobs
Start date details
July/August 2025
Closing date
18 July 2025 at 3pm
Date listed
29 June 2025
Job details
Job role
- Administration, HR, data and finance
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Full time: 37 hours per week; all year round
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- £31,040 - £32,849 FTE
What skills and experience we're looking for
- The Whitstable School
- £31,040 - £32,849 FTE – SAT E
- 37 hours per week; all year round
- Permanent
- July/August 2025 start
- Interviews: To be confirmed
Office Manager – Be at the Heart of Our School’s Success.
We are seeking a dedicated and skilled Office Manager to join our vibrant and growing school community. This is a rare and exciting opportunity to become a key figure in the operational running of a school that is ambitious, evolving, and committed to achieving excellence.
As Office Manager, you will be central to the smooth and effective functioning of the school’s day-to-day administration. Working in close partnership with the Headteacher, you will play a vital role in supporting the strategic and operational direction of the school. You will attend relevant leadership meetings to ensure clear communication and coordination of administrative priorities, acting as the crucial link between strategic planning and operational delivery.
This is more than a traditional administrative role – you will oversee systems and processes that are essential to the running of the school, from communications and compliance to scheduling and staff coordination. You’ll be working alongside a strong and enthusiastic admin team, with the responsibility to guide, delegate, and develop them to ensure the school’s administrative functions are efficient, responsive, and aligned with school priorities.
Key elements of the role include:
- Managing and developing the school’s administrative systems to support smooth day-to-day operations
- Supporting the Headteacher with diary management, communication, and implementation of strategic plans
- Attending leadership meetings to ensure administrative alignment with school priorities (without being part of the leadership team)
- Leading and developing an effective admin team to ensure workload is managed efficiently and deadlines are consistently met
- Acting as a key liaison between internal departments, staff, parents, and external stakeholders
- Ensuring compliance with statutory requirements and supporting the school’s safeguarding and data protection duties
We are looking for someone who:
- Has strong organisational and communication skills
- Can take initiative and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
- Enjoys working collaboratively but can also lead and make decisions
- Is confident in managing systems, processes, and people
- Wants to be part of a school that values dedication, teamwork, and the drive for improvement
This is an exceptional opportunity to make a real difference in a school that values professionalism, care, and progress. If you are excited by the idea of working in a role where no two days are the same, and where your work truly matters, we’d love to hear from you.
Full details of the requirements of the post can be found in the accompanying recruitment pack.
What the school offers its staff
This is an exciting opportunity to join our school. In return, we offer a stimulating, supporting, and rewarding working environment, where all staff are valued and where you will have the opportunity to access a range of excellent professional opportunities to support your progression.
We understand the importance of work-life balance and will give due consideration to requests for flexible working.
We are proud to be an inclusive employer and encourage applications from all qualified individuals.
Join us to benefit from:
- Local Government Pension Scheme – with a generous employer contribution
- Enhanced Maternity Pay
- Salary Sacrifice Shared Cost AVC (Additional Voluntary Contribution) Scheme
- Employee Referral Recruitment Incentive
- Access to training and development
- On-site Parking
- Discounts with local and national retailers, cinemas and restaurants
- Employee Assistance Programme – Wellbeing and advice
- Cycle to Work scheme
Further information about the job
Ready to join us?
If you are interested in this post and require further information or would like an informal discussion regarding the role, please contact Natasha Kingsford, Office Manager, via natasha.kingsford@swale.at or 01227 931300.
Applications should be made via Kent Teach or by submitting a SAT Application Form to natasha.kingsford@swale.at . Please note, we cannot accept CVs.
If you experience any difficulty in completing the application form, please contact recruitment@swale.at.
We are happy to discuss any support you may need during your application process as part of our reasonable adjustment approach.
In accordance with current GDPR compliance we will not keep any details / application forms on file once the position is filled.
Applications will be considered upon being received. Interviews may take place prior to the closing date.
Swale Academies Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is exempt from ROA and will require an enhanced DBS disclosure
Swale Academies Trust schools will conduct an online check of shortlisted candidates in line with the Keeping Children Safe In Education guidelines.
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.
Additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About The Whitstable School
- School type
- Academy, ages 11 to 18
- Education phase
- Secondary school
- School size
- 1109 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- The Whitstable School website
- Email address
- natasha.kingsford@swale.at
- Phone number
- 01227 931300
The Whitstable School, under the stewardship of its Headteacher Mr Alex Holmes, is charting an ambitious course towards excellence while ensuring inclusivity every step of the way. As a new era unfolds, the school stands ready to redefine its role in the community – not merely as an educational institution but as a hub of innovation, opportunity and personal growth.
Situated in the heart of Whitstable, Kent, the secondary school’s fresh vision aims to cater to the needs of its current students, as well as inspire future generations of prospective students.
At the heart of Mr Holmes’ vision is a commitment to provide a holistic educational experience – one that recognises the diverse talents and aspirations of every student. Central to this ethos is the belief that academic achievement should be complemented by a robust creative and vocational pathway. Thus, the school is expanding its GCSE offerings to include construction and bolstering its investment in science, technology, engineering and mathematics enrichment.
The Whitstable School is also broadening its A-level curriculum, introducing a suite of exciting new qualifications to accommodate the evolving needs of its student body, while a partnership agreement with Football Futures underscores the school’s dedication to nurturing regional football talent.
Acknowledging the impact of extracurricular activities, Mr Holmes has introduced new roles such as Enrichment Coordinator, aimed at diversifying the range of trips and rewards available to students. This commitment to broadening horizons and celebrating success extends to the very fabric of the school’s culture, with an emphasis on fostering a supportive environment where every student can thrive.
Through a redesigned curriculum model, The Whitstable School is prioritising the development of leadership skills, ensuring that students across all year groups have the opportunity to lead, inspire and make a tangible impact within their community.
Arranging a visit to The Whitstable School
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email natasha.kingsford@swale.at.
School location
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