Support Manager & PA to Headteacher

Job Description

Support Manager & PA to the Headteacher

Salary: Essex Scale 8, Point 25 - 28

£31,940.47 - £34,390.27 actual salary per annum

(Plus Outer Fringe Allowance of £640.34 per annum)

37 hours per week

Monday - Thursday 8am to 4pm, Friday 8:00am to 3.30pm

(30-minute unpaid lunch break)

40 weeks of the year - term time, inset days, plus 10 additional days to be worked during school closure periods

We are looking for a highly organised Support Manager to act as the Headteacher's Personal Assistant while leading our administration and reception functions. This pivotal role places you at the heart of school operations - managing the Headteacher's diary, correspondence, and meetings, while ensuring the wider admin team delivers an exceptional service across the school.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide professional assistance to the Headteacher, including diary management, correspondence, and meeting support.
• Manage and develop the administration and reception team, ensuring high-quality support across the school.
• Oversee the organisation and security of confidential records and information systems.
• Design and implement effective administrative processes and procedures.
• Coordinate staff communications, including weekly bulletins and staff briefings.
• Support the planning and delivery of key school events such as open days, presentation evenings, and trips.
• Liaise with the chair of Governor's and clerk of the local advisory board in arranging meetings, including all related administrative/logistical tasks and refreshments.
• Manage and oversee the school's admissions processes.
• Coordinate and administer all suspension and permanent exclusion procedures.
• Act as the first point of contact for complex enquiries and visitors.

What We're Looking For

• Proven experience in administration and team leadership.
• Excellent organisational and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities with accuracy and discretion.
• A collaborative approach, with the confidence to work closely with senior leaders.
• Commitment to the Trust's values, including equality, diversity, and safeguarding.

Why Apply?

This role offers the chance to make a real impact on the day-to-day running of the school, supporting both staff and students. You'll be at the heart of school operations, working closely with the Headteacher and senior leadership team.

BCHS is a Co-operative Academy which is firmly rooted in serving our community. We are proud to be an inclusive co-educational comprehensive school where we recognise that success for young people is built on firm foundations of trust, respect, care and hard work. We measure our success by much more than exam results as we recognise that such data tells only a part of the story of each of our young people.

BCHS is already a great place to teach and learn, and we have many strengths including:  

• Motivated and polite pupils, who have a strong voice in the school with diversity champions and student parliament.  
• Staff are aided by extensive and wide-ranging in-house support and coaching, by dedicated and helpful colleagues.   
• Knowledgeable and dynamic Trust with supportive governors, with a robust understanding of education.

BCHS is located in the heart of Brentwood, near the town centre, a short distance from the train station, which is 25 minutes from Liverpool Street Station. The school also includes a large sixth form campus and achievements at KS5 have been a key strength at BCHS. Parking is available on-site and there are good transport links by both rail and bus. BCHS is just over two miles from the M25.  

BCHS is a member of Osborne Co-operative Academy Trust a Multi-Academy Trust, with twelve member schools within Essex. All schools in the Trust work in equal partnership and are members of the schools' Co-operative Society. Our Co-operative Values focus on enabling all students to achieve their potential both academically and as young people.   

In return for your hard work you will receive: 

• 2-week October half term holiday
• Relocation package of up to £8,000 (where applicable)for new employees rentingor buyinga property.
• Support from highly experienced SLT members, and the wider trust network and collaboration with our other schools 
• Support network for all staff including managing workloads and work-life balance  
• Career progression throughout the Trust, with the ability to progress in other schools 
• Recognition of continuous service  
• Excellent CPD opportunities through the school and the trust  
• Fully subsidised Employee Assistance Programme   
• Excellent behaviour management policy to support all staff 
• National Conditions of Service 
• Automatic enrolment into the Local Government Pension Scheme 
• Use of the school gym outside of working hours 

If you feel you could make a positive contribution to the school, and you have the passion, drive and commitment to work with us to make all aspects of our school outstanding, please apply now. For more information please contact Anna Brown at hr@osborne.coop

BCHS is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. In compliance with safer recruitment procedures and guidelines, all applications must be made on our formal application form, CVs will not be accepted. This appointment will be subject to pre-employment checks including an enhanced DBS disclosure and satisfactory references. Osborne Co-operative Academy Trust is an equal opportunities employer. As a Trust, we recognise the value of and seek to achieve a diverse workforce. We welcome applications from all backgrounds. Please refer to our recruitment & selection policy statement (www.osborne.coop/working-with-us) for more information.    

Closing date:Monday 31st August 2026 at midday

Interview Date:September 2026

Pleasenote:we may hold interviews as and when applications are received, and we reserve the right to offer to a candidate before the closing date. With this in mind, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.   

Information about the School

We are proud to stand at the heart diverse community which extends within and beyond our school. We see promoting diversity and value the contributions of all as being at the core of our mission. Everything that we do is done to ensure that our young people can exist in a safe environment in which they can succeed whilst feeling supported, challenged, and protected.