Personal Assistant to the Headteacher

Newton Abbot College, Newton Abbot, Devon, TQ12 2NF

14 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  1st September 2026

• Closing date

  2 July 2026 at 9am

• Date listed

  18 June 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: £30,518.00 - £33,699.00 Annually (FTE) Mon - Thurs 8am – 4pm, Fri 8am – 3:30pm (including a 30 min unpaid break)

Personal Assistant to the Headteacher job summary

As Personal Assistant to the Headteacher, you will provide high‑level, confidential and proactive administrative and organisational support. Acting as a key point of contact, you will manage the Headteacher’s diary, coordinate meetings and communications, and ensure the smooth running of their day‑to‑day responsibilities.

Working closely with the wider leadership and business support teams, you will play a vital role in maintaining effective systems, supporting school operations, and upholding the highest standards of communication with staff, governors, parents and external stakeholders.

You will bring strong organisational skills, attention to detail and the ability to manage competing priorities with professionalism and discretion. In this busy and varied role, your work will directly support the leadership of the school, helping to ensure that all students—regardless of background or ability—benefit from a well‑led, efficient and supportive environment in which to learn and succeed.

What makes us special

Our staff team believe passionately in the power of education to transform lives. We are committed to providing the best possible educational experience that we can; an experience that supports, challenges and inspires our students to achieve their potential and develop into well rounded, kind, resilient and responsible young people, who have a deep love of learning and a curiosity about the world in which they live.

We’re looking for someone who:

• Has proven experience providing high‑level administrative or PA support
• Demonstrates exceptional organisational skills and attention to detail
• Can manage competing priorities, work under pressure and meet tight deadlines
• Communicates confidently and professionally with a wide range of stakeholders
• Is flexible and adaptable as no two days are the same
• Shows discretion and integrity when handling confidential information
• Is proactive, resourceful and able to anticipate needs and solve problems
• Builds strong relationships quickly and works effectively as part of a team
• Is highly competent in Microsoft Office and digital systems
• Shares a commitment to supporting students to achieve their very best
• Embodies the school’s values and contributes positively to the wider community

In this role you will:

• Provide confidential and proactive support to the Headteacher
• Manage a complex diary, ensuring priorities and commitments are effectively organised
• Coordinate meetings, prepare agendas, take minutes and follow up on actions
• Act as a first point of contact for staff, parents, governors and external partners
• Draft, proofread and manage high‑quality correspondence and communications
• Support key school processes including recruitment, events and governance
• Maintain accurate records, systems and documentation
• Monitor and respond to enquiries, ensuring timely and professional communication
• Work closely with senior leaders and support teams to ensure smooth operations
• Contribute to the effective running of the school through flexible, collaborative working

We offer:

• A role where your work really matters
• A rewarding role in a positive environment
• Competitive package with generous career average pension scheme with employer contributions of c 17%*
• A part-time, term time only contract working 39 weeks per year
• Ongoing professional development

*employer contribution rates set by the Local Government Pension Scheme

How to apply

Please do take the opportunity to learn more about the role by viewing the detailed job description included on the following pages. To apply please complete our application form and take the opportunity to share with us how your skills and experience meet the person specification in the job description. To learn more about the school please visit our website by clicking here.

Alternatively, if you would like to discuss the role further or arrange for a tour of the school, please contact Emily Cutts on ecutts@nacollege.devon.sch.uk

The closing date for applications is Thursday 2nd July at 9.00am. Interviews will be held week commencing 6th July 2026. We reserve the right to interview before the closing date, so please get your application in early.

If you have any questions about this opportunity, please contact us via my new term or at recruitment@ivyeducationtrust.co.uk

We’re totally committed to the safeguarding and welfare of all our pupils, and we expect you to be too. We follow safer recruitment statutory guidance (Keeping Children Safe in Education). If you’re successful, you’ll be required to complete thorough pre-employment checks, including an Enhanced DBS check and references that are satisfactory to our Trust. All posts in our Trust are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974.

Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy

Data Protection Policy

Recruitment of Ex-offenders Policy

Recruitment Selection Disclosure Policy

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

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.

About Newton Abbot College

• School type: Academy, ages 11 to 18
• Education phase: Secondary school
• School size: 1212 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 18
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Newton Abbot College website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/newton-abbot-college-newton-abbot

Newton Abbot College is an 11-18 college in Newton Abbot, Devon, with approximately 1400 students on roll, including around 150 in the Sixth Form. We are a fully comprehensive college and committed to providing the best possible educational experience we can for all our students across all three key stages.

Newton Abbot College is part of the Ivy Education Trust that was formed in June 2022. Being part of this successful family of schools allows us to share good practice and provides exceptional opportunities to learn from each other.

School location

Get a job alert when similar jobs are listed

Find more school jobs in Devon, Plymouth and Torbay