Operations Assistant
Polehampton Church of England Junior School, Reading, Berkshire, RG10 9AX22 days remaining to apply
Start date details
03/09/2026 (or as soon as possible after this date)
Closing date
20 August 2026 at 11:59pm
Date listed
29 July 2026
Job details
Job role
- Administration, HR, data and finance
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Part time
Contract type
- Permanent
Full time equivalent salary
- £12,221.00 - £13,026.00 Annually (Actual) Pay range Grade 4 SCP 7-11
Operations Assistant job summary
Overview
Are you looking for an exciting opportunity to build a career in school operations within a growing and ambitious Multi Academy Trust?
The Keys Academy Trust is looking for an organised, proactive and customer-focused Operations Assistant to support the day-to-day operational functions of one of our schools. This varied role is ideal for someone who enjoys solving problems, working with people and ensuring that systems run smoothly behind the scenes so that pupils and staff can thrive.
Working closely with the Operations Manager, you will support a wide range of operational responsibilities including administration, finance, compliance, health and safety, admissions, premises and customer service. Every day is different, making this an ideal opportunity for someone who enjoys variety and wants to make a real difference to the success of a school.
Role overview
As an Operations Assistant, you will play a vital role in ensuring the school operates efficiently, safely and compliantly. You will work alongside colleagues across the school and Trust to provide high-quality operational support, helping to create an environment where teaching and learning can flourish.
This is a varied and rewarding role where you will develop expertise across multiple areas of school business management while working as part of a supportive and collaborative team. You will also benefit from ongoing professional development and opportunities to grow your career within The Keys Academy Trust.
Key responsibilities
Supporting the Operations Manager with the smooth day-to-day running of school operations.
Maintaining key administrative, admissions, attendance and operational systems.
Supporting the onboarding of new staff and maintaining training and compliance records.
Assisting with health and safety processes, including risk assessments, fire safety administration and compliance monitoring.
Coordinating operational administration including educational visits, transport and contractor management.
Supporting budget monitoring, procurement processes and supplier liaison.
Assisting with financial administration, including monitoring orders and supporting debt recovery processes.
Maintaining GDPR, statutory and operational records to ensure legal compliance.
Supporting premises management, planned maintenance programmes and capital projects.
Providing excellent customer service to parents, visitors, contractors and external agencies.
Working collaboratively with colleagues across the Trust to continually improve operational systems and processes.
Providing general office and administrative support to ensure the school runs efficiently.
About you
You're organised, approachable and enjoy making things happen. You take pride in keeping systems running efficiently, solving problems and delivering excellent customer service. You have strong organisational skills, excellent attention to detail and can confidently manage a varied workload in a busy environment.
You enjoy working with others and building positive relationships, but you're equally comfortable taking ownership of your own responsibilities and using your initiative when required. You remain calm under pressure, communicate professionally and understand the importance of confidentiality and accuracy.
Most importantly, you're committed to supporting schools so that children receive the very best education possible. You share our values, embrace continuous improvement and are excited by the opportunity to develop your career within a successful and growing Multi Academy Trust.
Requirements
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage competing priorities effectively (Essential)
Excellent organisational skills with strong attention to detail (Essential)
Excellent written and verbal communication skills (Essential)
Strong customer service and interpersonal skills (Essential)
Ability to use Microsoft Office and a range of digital systems confidently (Essential)
Ability to work independently whilst contributing positively to a team (Essential)
Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information professionally (Essential)
GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and Maths (Essential)
Previous experience in an administrative, operational or customer service environment (Desirable)
Experience within a school or education setting (Desirable)
Knowledge of finance, procurement, compliance or health and safety processes (Desirable)
What's in it for you?
Career development opportunities within a growing Multi Academy Trust.
High-quality professional development and training.
A supportive and collaborative team environment.
The opportunity to develop expertise across all aspects of school operations.
Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme.
The opportunity to make a genuine difference to the lives of children, families and colleagues every day.
Next steps
If this Operations Assistant opportunity sounds like the next step in your career, we'd love to hear from you.
Click Apply below to submit your application. A member of our recruitment team will be in touch to discuss the next stages of the recruitment process.
At The Keys Academy Trust, everything we do is underpinned by our Trust values and our commitment to the Seven Principles of Public Life (the Nolan Principles): selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all staff to share this commitment.
We are an Equal Opportunities employer and welcome applications without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other legally protected status.
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 Polehampton Church of England Junior School
- Organisation type
- Academy, Church of England, ages 7 to 11
- Education phase
- Primary school
- Size
- 232 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 7 to 11
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
We are dynamic, inspirational and over-subscribed Infant and Junior schools, ensuring the best possible learning experiences and outcomes for all our children.
Our core Christian values are at the heart of all we do and our Christian culture of compassion and consideration for each other touches every area of school life. The school community enjoys strong links with our local Church in a mutually supportive and beneficial partnership. We contribute to and are enriched through our involvement with the Church and the local community.
Our two schools work very closely together as the Polehampton Schools; two schools, one journey with a shared senior leadership team. This ensures a smooth transition and strong progress from the Foundation Stage through to the end of Year Six. Our children are well-equipped for secondary school and prepared to be compassionate, reflective and successful life-long learners in an ever-changing world.
Everyone is committed to excellence, improvement and the pursuit of high standards academically, physically, artistically, as well as spiritually, morally, socially and culturally. Our united, respectful and respected team of adults consistently applies best practice, modelling the school’s deeply embedded drivers of community, curiosity and cultural diversity.
Our amazingly supportive parental community help to enable the school to flourish and grow. We have a highly committed and proactive Governing body who work with the school team, appropriately supporting and challenging so that high standards are sustained in an encouraging and warm environment that values everyone.
School location
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