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School finance manager and administrator

St Botolph's Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School, Nr Diss, Suffolk, IP22 1DW

43 days remaining to apply

• Earliest start date

  17 August 2026

• Latest start date

  20 August 2026

• Closing date

  9 June 2026 at 12pm (midday)

• Date listed

  27 April 2026

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Job details

• Job role:
  • Administration, HR, data and finance
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Part time: 32 hours per week (4 days a week- 40 weeks per year) Probable working days- Mon, Tues, Thurs and Fri
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: Starting from £29,456

What skills and experience we're looking for

You will:

• have a commitment to maintaining confidentiality and data protection
• have an understanding of the importance of safeguarding and child protection in a school setting
• lead on financial planning, budgeting, and reporting to ensure best value
• have excellent organisational and time-management skills
• have strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively with a range of stakeholders
• be proficient in the use of IT systems and software, including Microsoft Office and school-specific administrative systems– Arbor Finance and Arbor MIS.
• have great attention to detail and accuracy in record-keeping and data entry
• have the ability to work collaboratively as part of a team and independently as required
• have flexibility and adaptability to respond to the changing needs of the school.

Training on school-based systems and processes will be provided as required.

What the school offers its staff

Access to further professional training and development

Access to experience based pay increments

A positive working environment

Supportive leadership team and governors

A capable and efficient admin assistant to work in collaboration with

An opportunity to be part of a supportive and hardworking team

A job in a supportive community

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.

Person Specification – School Finance Manager

Essential Criteria

Qualifications & Experience

• Relevant qualification in business management, finance, or equivalent experience.
• Proven experience in financial management, budgeting, and reporting in a school.
• Experience in HR processes.
• Knowledge of premises management and health & safety compliance.
• Experience of working in a school or similar environment.

Skills & Abilities

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work strategically and contribute to school improvement planning via financial role.
• High level of IT proficiency, including financial system Arbor and Microsoft Office.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines under pressure.

Personal Qualities

• Highly organised with attention to detail.
• Discreet and able to maintain confidentiality.
• Flexible and adaptable approach to work.
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.
• Positive attitude and ability to work collaboratively as part of a team.

Desirable Criteria

• Knowledge of school funding and education sector regulations.
• Familiarity with ARBOR management system and itrent.

SPECIFIC DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership & Strategy

• Manage the finance and information management systems within the school
• To maintain an up to date knowledge of statutory requirements for school finance

Financial Resource Management

The school uses Arbor Finance system

• Evaluate information and work with the School Leadership Team and Governors to prepare a realistic and balanced budget for school activity, ensuring the School’s educational aims and targets are directly linked;
• Submit the proposed budget in collaboration with the Headteacher and Finance Governors for approval and assist the overall financial planning process;
• Use the agreed budget to actively monitor and control performance to achieve value for money;
• Identify and inform the Headteacher and Governors of the causes of significant variance.
• Propose revisions to the budget if necessary, in response to significant or unforeseen developments;
• Provide ongoing budgetary information to relevant people (SLT and Finance Committee) on a monthly basis;
• Advise the Headteacher and Governors if fraudulent activities are suspected or uncovered
• Seek and make use of specialist financial expertise
• Put formal finance agreements in place with suitable providers for agreed amounts, at agreed times and appropriate agreed costs and repayment schedule in collaboration with the headteacher
• Process administrative and financial returns as may be required to Suffolk County Council to ensure the efficient operation of the School;
• Lead and manage effective and robust systems of financial management, benchmarking and monitoring of income and expenditure;
• Work proactively with the Headteacher in the management of all capital projects, including liaison with the construction teams throughout building phases.

Administration Management

• Manage the whole school administrative function and lead allocated admin staff
• Maintain administrative systems that deliver outcomes based on the school’s aims and goals;
• Establish and use effective methods to review and improve administrative systems in collaboration with admin staff and Headteacher

Management Information Systems (ARBOR)

• Use Arbor MIS effectively, making sure it is up to date and an effective tool for school staff and communications with parents and carers

Human Resource Management

• Monitor the payroll services for all school staff
• Use of itrent for setting up staff contracts, recording staff absence, making amendments to staff contracts and processing contracts when staff leave the school.
• Seek and make use of specialist expertise in relation to HR issues;

Training will be available in this area

Facility & Property Management

• In collaboration with the Headteacher, ensure the supervision of relevant planning and construction processes is undertaken in line with contractual obligations
• In collaboration with the Headteacher, ensure the safe maintenance and security operation of all school premises
• In collaboration with the Headteacher, manage the maintenance of the school site including the purchase and repair of all furniture and fittings
• Ensure the continuing availability of utilities, site services and equipment
• Monitor, assess and review contractual obligations for outsourced school services
• In collaboration with the Headteacher, ensure ancillary services e.g. catering, cleaning, etc., are monitored and managed effectively

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

Please complete the online application.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About St Botolph's Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School

• School type: Local authority maintained school, Church of England, ages 4 to 11
• Education phase: Primary school
• School size: 181 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 4 to 11
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: St Botolph's Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School website
• Email address: mark.cobbold@st-botolphs.suffolk.sch.uk
• Phone number: 01379 890181
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/st-botolph-s-church-of-england-voluntary-controlled-primary-school

St Botolphs CEVCP is a small rural primary school on the Suffolk and Norfolk border.  The school has one form entry and approx 180 children on role.

Arranging a visit to St Botolph's Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School

To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email mark.cobbold@st-botolphs.suffolk.sch.uk.

School location

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