School Business Manager

West Denton Primary School, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE5 1DN

2 days remaining to apply

• Job start date

  1 September 2026

• Closing date

  8 July 2026 at 12pm (midday)

• Date listed

  6 July 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Administration, HR, data and finance
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time: 37 hours per week during term time plus 5 additional days.
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: FTE per annum £32,597 - £35,412, per annum, pro rata actual £27,990 - £30,407

What skills and experience we're looking for

Join our dynamic team as a School Business Manager.

Are you a highly motivated professional looking for an exciting new challenge? ONE (Owl North East) Trust, a vibrant multi-academy trust, are looking for a School Business Manager to join our friendly team, based at one of our primary schools – West Denton Primary. This is a full-time position.

West Denton Primary School is looking to appoint a School Business Manager who is enthusiastic, organised, friendly and wants to be part of our welcoming and supportive school. We are passionate about ensuring our school meets its potential and you would be part of making that happen.

This is your chance to make a significant impact within one of the schools within our trust. We are seeking individuals who are ready to bring their energy and expertise to our innovative educational environment.

The successful candidate will have the following skills:

• Strategic Planning: Strong analytical and planning skills.
• Finance: Expertise in financial management, budgeting and reporting.
• Human Resources: Proficiency in Human Resource management and staff coordination.
• Estate Management: Ability to manage facilities, building projects and resolve issues.
• Administration: Excellent organisational and administrative skills.
• Marketing and Liaison: Effective communication and networking abilities.
• General: Commitment to equality, safeguarding and maintaining a safe environment.

We would like to hear from those candidates who feel that they can demonstrate the characteristics and skills we are looking for and hold the relevant experience/qualifications to meet the demands of this post.

Job Description

1. Strategic Planning

• To ensure the school makes the best possible use of resources through effective strategic planning.

2. Finance

• To ensure compliance with the Academy Trust Handbook in schools.
• To prepare budgets, prepare reports for local governing bodies, as well as track performance to budget during trust monthly business reviews.
• Prepare appraisals for delegated projects and to plan for the future development of the school in line with the school development plan, ensuring best value at all times.
• Bid for sponsorship funding by developing contacts and raising the school profile.
• Plan and maintain budgets and oversee spend and hold budget holders to account.

3. Human Resources

• To manage some support staff where applicable and liaise with Human Resources when queries arise.
• To arrange cover for teaching staff during planned/unplanned absences.
• To develop and maintain an accurate Single Central Record.

4. Estate Management

• Respond to security alerts along with the Head Teacher and Deputy Head Teacher.
• To manage facilities services such as the meal service, cleaning and caretaking.
• Take an active role in liaising with architects and contractors during any building projects to ensure that the project runs to plan and making sure that contract files are maintained.
• Ensure any snagging problems are followed up to the school’s satisfaction.
• Manage any lettings of the school premises to outside agencies.

5. Whole School Administration

• To manage the administrative function including the admin and ICT facilities, school reception, reprographics, records and telephones.
• Marketing and communication responsibilities
• To help promote the school to parents, partners and the local community.
• To liaise with local businesses for fundraising, arranging vocational experience and joint projects.

6. General

• To promote and implement the School’s Equality Policy in all aspects of employment and service delivery.
• Promote and safeguard the welfare of children and young people s/he is responsible for or comes into contact with
• To assist in maintaining a healthy, safe and secure environment and to act in accordance with the school’s policies and procedures

Person Specification -Ideal Candidate Skills:

• Resilient Attitude: Bring your expertise in Finance, Procurement, Estates Management, or Human Resources to the forefront, showcasing your robust and adaptable mindset.
• Leadership and Collaboration: Shine in a flexible, agile work environment with strong decision-making skills and a collaborative ethos that drives success.
• Tech-Savvy: Utilise your Microsoft Office skills, especially Excel, to streamline and enhance our administrative processes.
• Educational Experience: While previous experience in an educational environment is preferred, it's not essential—your ability to adapt and thrive is what counts.
• Qualified Professional: Preferably, to hold a relevant business qualification and be able to demonstrate your commitment to continuous professional development.
• Financial Software Expertise: Experience with IRIS financial software is a plus, highlighting your capability to manage complex financial systems.
• Managing Innovative Projects: Engage in groundbreaking projects that shape the future of our schools, contributing to your professional growth and making a real impact.
• Networking: Build valuable connections with educational professionals and local businesses, expanding your professional network and opening doors to new opportunities.

You will be based at West Denton Primary School, your employer will be the ONE Trust. At the request of ONE Trust, you may be required to conduct your duties elsewhere to facilitate learning or social activities off the school premises. The Trust reserves the right to change your area of work, temporarily or otherwise, as may be required, subject to reasonable notice and prior consultation with you.

West Denton Primary School is strongly committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The successful applicant will be required to obtain an Enhanced Certificate of Disclosure from the DBS and a range of other recruitment checks. You will be responsible for the safety and welfare of the children in your care in line with KCSIE 2025.

Further information about the ONE Trust is available from our website: www.onetrustacademies.org.uk

Application Details:

All applications must be sent by email to gavin.johnston@westdenton.newcastle.sch.uk.

Closing Date: Wednesday 8th July 2026

Shortlisting: Thursday 9th July 2026. We will email those candidates who are successful to invite them for interview.

Interested candidates are warmly invited to visit our school and have an informal chat about the role. Please contact the school to book a visit or find out further information about the post.

What the school offers its staff

Why Join Us?

• Be Part of Something New: Help shape the future of our school and multi-academy trust from the ground up.
• Dynamic Work Environment: Thrive in a role that offers variety and the opportunity to work with a passionate team.
• Start: Position is available from Tuesday 1st September 2026.

If you're ready to take your career to the next level and make a real difference in the education sector, we want to hear from you!

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.

About West Denton Primary School

• School type: Academy, ages 3 to 11
• Education phase: Primary school
• School size: 316 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 3 to 11
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: West Denton Primary School website
• Email address: admin@westdenton.newcastle.sch.uk
• Phone number: 0191 267 4211
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/west-denton-primary-school-newcastle-upon-tyne

West Denton Primary is a larger than average primary school with 335 pupils, based in the Outer West of Newcastle. The school has been part of the ONE (Owl North East) Trust since January 2024.

At West Denton, children are at the heart of all we do. Dedicated, highly-skilled and professional staff work together to create a family atmosphere where children can grow, flourish and make progress. This prepares them for the next steps of education and for their future.

We encourage children to respect themselves, each other and the environment. We also promote perseverance so children have the skills to keep going!

We have a number of unique features and opportunities at our school. These include:

- A dedicated bushcraft area for learning and enquiry outdoors
- Two minibuses for access to visits
- An edible garden for growing and learning about produce
- A set of bikes for cycling
- A bespoke cycle-track

We pride ourselves on being responsive to the community we serve, and the school staff strive to make West Denton Primary School a happy and successful learning environment for all children who attend the school.

School location

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