Personal Assistant to the Headteacher XS7.4a
The Thomas Hardye School, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 2ET25 days remaining to apply
Start date details
To be confirmed
Closing date
4 January 2026 at 12pm (midday)
Date listed
2 December 2025
Job details
Job role
- Administration, HR, data and finance
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Part time: 37 hours per week, term time, plus all inset days and five days over summer holiday
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- £32061
Actual salary
- £28919
Pay scale
- Grade 9
What skills and experience we're looking for
The Headteacher is seeking to appoint a new Personal Assistant. The successful applicant will also line-manage other admin staff and be the senior member of the front office/reception team. Duties and responsibilities will be varied, and will include administrating the recruitment of new staff, general office duties and organising the headteacher’s diary and correspondence. You will hold an important staff management position and be responsible for ensuring that school administration is handled efficiently, and that data and files are properly maintained.
This position includes the role of Clerk to the Thomas Hardye Foundation – an independent charitable trust, established to support The Thomas Hardye School. You will be responsible for organising payments, administrative support to the Trustees, and convening, minuting and administering evening meetings, of which there are at least two per year.
We require someone:
- Who is a team player, willing to help with a wide range of duties and activities that fall under the job description.
- Who is a professional communicator, confident in different styles of written and verbal communication with colleagues, students and external professionals.
- With experience in effective staff management.
- With knowledge and experience using a range of ICT software including Microsoft Office, and a positive approach to advances in technology.
Experience applying such skills in a school environment would be an advantage.
What the school offers its staff
We require someone:
- Who is a team player, willing to help with a wide range of duties and activities that fall under the job description.
- Who is a professional communicator, confident in different styles of written and verbal communication with colleagues, students and external professionals.
- With experience in effective staff management.
- With knowledge and experience using a range of ICT software including Microsoft Office, and a positive approach to advances in technology.
Experience applying such skills in a school environment would be an advantage.
We can offer:
- A friendly and supportive working environment, with supervision and training.
- The opportunity to build on existing skills and knowledge through continuous professional development.
- A generous pension scheme, on-site nursery, and discounted local gym membership.
- Time off throughout the majority of school holidays.
Further information about the job
If you have any queries about the post please contact: Nick Rutherford, Headteacher, by emailing nrutherford@ths.wessex.ac
Please send a letter of application together with a completed application form to Mrs Anita Pullen, Headteacher’s PA (apullen@ths.wessex.ac) by the deadline, Sunday 4th January.
You will be contacted only if you are shortlisted for interview.
Wessex MAT will conduct online searches of shortlisted candidates. In line with KCSIE guidance, this will be part of safer recruitment checks, and the search will purely be based on whether an individual is suitable to work with children. As care must be taken to avoid unconscious bias and any risk of discrimination, a person who will not be on the appointment panel will conduct the searches and will only share information if and when findings are relevant and of concern.
Wessex MAT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The post is subject to safeguarding checks, including an enhanced DBS check and Children’s Barred List check. The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.
Wessex MAT recognises the benefit of having a diverse workforce and is committed to building a workforce which reflects diversity from the communities it serves. The Trust values the contributions from all staff from a wide range of different backgrounds and actively seeks to promote an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment. The Trust supports fair promotion and cultural acceptance. Under the provision of the Equality Act 2010 Wessex MAT welcomes applications from everyone and operates a recruitment process which is fair and does not discriminate against or disadvantage anyone because of their age, disability, gender reassignment status, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race or nationality, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.
This role is UK- based and your right to work will need to be established as part of the appointment process.
The pro rata salary shown is based on the number of hours and weeks worked and includes appropriate paid annual leave and bank holiday entitlements. The salary quoted is the annual salary for the position at the time of advert. The salary will be paid in equal monthly instalments and will be adjusted at the start of employment and again if leaving part way through the school year to ensure the correct salary is received for the work completed in an academic year.
Commitment to safeguarding
The Thomas Hardye School is committed to Equal Opportunities and to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check.
Applying for the job
Apply for the job by following the link below.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
View advert on school website (opens in new tab)About The Thomas Hardye School
- School type
- Academy, ages 13 to 18
- Education phase
- Secondary
- School size
- 2051 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 13 to 18
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- The Thomas Hardye School website
- Email address
- apullen@ths.wessex.ac
- Phone number
- 01305 266064
We require an outstanding Special Educational Needs & Disabilities Co-ordinator to join a large team working to support students with additional needs at the Thomas Hardye School.
We can offer excellent working conditions, a supportive environment and plenty of opportunity for further development at one of the most successful comprehensive schools in the country. The superb facilities include an on-site nursery, a sports complex with company membership for staff.
Arranging a visit to The Thomas Hardye School
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email apullen@ths.wessex.ac.
School location
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