Office Manager

The Arnewood School, New Milton, Hampshire, BH25 6RS

18 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  As soon as possible

• Closing date

  9 January 2026 at 11:59pm

• Date listed

  22 December 2025

Job details

• Job role:
  • Administration, HR, data and finance
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time: 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday
• Contract type: Permanent
• Pay scale: £28,712 - £31,473 actual (£33,178 - £36,369 FTE)

What skills and experience we're looking for

ROLE PURPOSE

To provide high-level administrative and organisational support to the Headteacher while overseeing the efficient operation of the school office. This role ensures strategic assistance to leadership and effective management of administrative functions.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Administrative Support:

• Provide a comprehensive and confidential administrative support to the Headteacher, handling all matters with discretion.
• Manage the Headteacher’s diary, appointments, meetings and correspondence.
• Prepare documentation, reports, and follow-up actions for senior leadership, governing body, and committee meetings, often to tight deadlines.
• Act as a key point of contact between the Headteacher and staff, governors, parents, external agencies, and stakeholders.
• Support compliance with statutory and governance requirements, including maintaining registers and policy oversight.
• Maintain secure and accurate records, including sensitive and confidential documentation.
• Support the organisation of school events, inspections, and external visits.
• Manage recruitment and selection processes, including advertising, shortlisting, interview coordination, pre-employment checks, and onboarding.
• Maintain the Single Central Record (SCR) and ensure all safeguarding checks are completed accurately and on time.
• Oversee staff contracts, pay progression, job descriptions, and personnel records.

Office Management

• Lead and manage the administrative team, including performance reviews and staff development.
• Ensure smooth and efficient running of all office and reception functions.
• Oversee and manage daily staff cover arrangements for planned and unplanned absences.
• Ensure the school website is kept up to date and compliant with statutory requirements
• Oversee pupil data management systems and ensure accurate recordkeeping.
• Provide administrative support to teachers and leadership as required.
• Maintain excellent front-line service, greeting visitors professionally and ensuring safeguarding protocols.
• Manage communication systems and IT platforms for effective information flow.
• Undertake general administrative tasks and any other duties as reasonably requested by senior leadership.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Exceptional organisational and time management skills.
• Strong interpersonal and communication abilities with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Experience in a role requiring a high level of confidentiality and discretion.
• Skilled in IT systems, including MS Office and school data platforms (e.g. Arbor).
• Ability to prioritise, plan, and work independently under pressure.
• Calm, approachable, and emotionally resilient.
• Experience in conflict resolution and mediation.
• Minimum 2 years of relevant administrative experience.
• Proven track record of professional development.
• Strong administrative and ICT skills.
• Experience managing staff and office operations.

DESIRABLE SKILLS:

• Previous PA experience at senior leadership level.
• Experience in an educational setting.

This is a full time permanent position for 37 hours per week, 39 weeks per year (term time plus two weeks). CV's will NOT be accepted without a completed support staff application form which can be found at www.arnewood.hants.sch.uk or alternatively contact Lindsey Harper, School Business Manager on 01425 625400.

Bourne Education Trust follows best practice in recruiting staff in relation to safeguarding and is an equal opportunities employer.

What the school offers its staff

• Generous Workplace Pension
• Condensed School Year
• CPD and Recognition Policies
• Work-Life Balance
• Health and Wellbeing Support
• Staff Benefits Platform
• Free Parking

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

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

Apply for the job by following the link below.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

Upload additional documents

If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.

Arnewood School - Office Manager.pdf - 5.49 MB (opens in new tab)

About The Arnewood School

• School type: Academy, ages 11 to 18
• Education phase: Secondary school
• School size: 900 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 18
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: The Arnewood School website
• Email address: l.harper@arnewood.hants.sch.uk
• Phone number: 01425 625400
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/the-arnewood-school

The Arnewood School offers a welcoming, professional, and supportive atmosphere for new colleagues.
Our academic record over a long period of time shows us to be a consistently high performing school, with impressive examination results at all key stages, including our vibrant sixth form.
We aim to meet individual students' needs and help every child fulfill their potential placing great emphasis on a healthy balance between academic work and all-round social development. The school is ideally situated in New Milton at the gateway to The New Forest National Park with easy access to recreational activities by the sea and in the forest.

Arranging a visit to The Arnewood School

To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email l.harper@arnewood.hants.sch.uk.

School location

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