Job Description
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Support Services Leader at The Hawthorns School
(Administrative Lead)
Salary: LGPS Scale 8 points 25-28 (£30,095 to £32,798*) depending on experience
[*Amounts are subject to additional National Pay Award with effect from 1.4.22.]
Are you looking for a fresh and exciting new challenge?
Do you have the skills to support the Headteacher in planning and managing key administrative systems at the start-up of a brand new school?
Would you like to be part of a team of friendly, supportive colleagues based in the centre of Chelmsford?
An exceptionally rare and exciting opportunity has arisen to appoint a Support Services Leader, who will lead all aspects of Administration, Business and HR and support the Headteacher of The Hawthorns School in the creation of all related administrative procedures.
The Hawthorns School is a brand new provision, opening in Chelmsford, for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities. The Hawthorns will begin its journey with just 15 pupils and a small, skeleton staff in temporary accommodation in January 2023, whilst construction of the permanent site is completed.
The Support Services Leader will therefore be an extremely important, central role within the school. By working closely with the Headteacher and Senior Leadership Team, the successful candidate will shape and create efficient administrative support procedures, which sustain the smooth running of the school and facilitate the best outcomes for pupils.
Working at The Hawthorns School is destined to be highly rewarding and we can offer you:
· Up to 28 days* paid annual leave + 8 bank holidays (*from 25 to 28 days, depending on length of service)
· A range of high-quality professional development opportunities
· Support, training and encouragement from members of the SEAX Trust's Central Team
· A career pathway including internal career progression opportunities
· Local Government Pension Scheme facilities
· A varied and challenging role, rewarded by financial recognition of achievement
· A fair work-life balance, employee assistance programme and commitment to staff wellbeing
· A firm commitment to equality and diversity
· A strong sense of cohesion and belonging
· A role in which you will truly make a difference to the life chances of children and young people with special educational needs
We are not necessarily looking for someone who already has school-based administrative experience, because we will support your development, but we think it is important for you to be:
· Efficient and organised
· Motivated and willing to learn
· Able to multi-task and work under pressure at times
· A collaborative team-player
· An excellent communicator
· Welcoming, with a sense of humour
· Reflective and with a sense of perspective when things go wrong
If you think you are the right person to join us and wish to find out more, further information is available in the Candidate Information Pack on this page, or you can contact Mrs Kate Stannard, Director of HR & Assoc CIPD, SEAX Trust on 01245 963006, or by emailing: jobs@seaxtrust.com
If you would like to apply, please complete and return an Application Form before the closing date, which is also available on this page. Full details can also be found on the Essex Schools Jobs website atwww.essexschoolsjobs.co.uk
We look forward to hearing from you soon.
Information about the School
Established in 2015 The SEAX Trust is a multi academy trust of five academies, each with their unique style and specialism. Our schools span Essex: from Brentwood, to Chelmsford and on to Colchester. They serve over five hundred wonderful young people with a range of special educational needs: from moderate learning difficulties; speech language and communication needs; social, emotional and mental health needs as well as meeting the needs of a significant group of pupils in all of our schools with an autism diagnosis. Another aspect of our work is providing support to mainstream schools around meeting the needs of young people with autism and the Mid- Essex Autism Hub.
We are proud to be a Trust that is continually evolving to meet the changing needs of young people with special educational needs. The successful opening of The Hawthorns, our fifth school, has expanded our specialist provision for young people with autism, and in September 2026 the school further enhanced its offer with the launch of its EBSA provision, Hawthorns Connect. As a forward-thinking Trust, we remain committed to developing innovative services and expanding opportunities to ensure every young person receives the education and support they need to achieve their full potential.
SEAX Trust is a Disability Confident Employer.