Job Description

Cover & Communications Administrator

Required for April 2026

Closing date: Midday Thursday 2nd April 2026

30 hours per week

Monday - Friday 7:30am - 2:00pm

Term time including 5 INSET days, plus one week (5 days during school holidays, the last week of August)

Starting Salary Scale 5 point 10 - 13 (actual salary per annum £19,724 - £20,700)

We are seeking an enthusiastic and highly organised Cover & Communications Administrator to join our team. This is an exciting and varied role at the heart of school operations, contributing to both the smooth running of the school day and the promotion of our vibrant school community.

The successful candidate will bring strong administrative skills, the confidence to work independently, and a positive, proactive approach. Excellent communication, strong attention to detail, and the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment are essential.

Experience in a school environment, including the use of SIMS (School Information Management System) or a similar MIS (Management Information System), would be an advantage but is not essential.

The successful candidate will be required to:

• organise the daily teaching cover arrangements, ensuring lessons are supervised and disruption to learning is minimised.
• monitor staff attendance and communicate potential concerns to senior staff and the HR Manager where appropriate.
• work closely with Independent Learning Supervisors (ILSs), supporting their deployment, induction and training, and maintaining an up‑to‑date register of supply/ILS staff.
• coordinate re-rooming for events, examinations and internal activities, ensuring information is shared promptly with staff and students.
• ensure cover work is distributed effectively, liaising with departments where needed.
• contribute to the school's communications, including managing front-line communication and helping to promote the school's work and student achievements through social media.
• update the school website, ensuring statutory and key information remains accurate and current.
• support the Data & Systems Manager with timetable, systems and admissions administration, including assistance during GCSE Results Day and Sixth Form enrolment.
• provide general administrative support in line with school needs.

The successful candidate will:

• Be a friendly, confident communicator who can build positive working relationships.
• Be someone who enjoys working as part of a team but is equally comfortable using their own initiative.
• Have strong organisational ability, accuracy, and the resilience to work to tight deadlines.
• Have good ICT skills, especially Microsoft 365 (or similar); experience with SIMS is desirable but not essential.

We can offer you:

• Training on Schools Information Management Systems (SIMS) and other systems as required.
• Training on the management of social media assets and website administration.
• A strong, highly qualified staff team and an ethos of tolerance and respect with a family community spirit.
• A commitment to ongoing professional development and staff wellbeing.
• Access to external CPD.
• An environment which promotes innovation.

Working Pattern:

• 5 days per week, 30 hours per week

• Monday-Friday: 7:30am-2:00pm

• 30-minute unpaid lunch break

• Term time including 5 INSET days, plus one week (5 days during school holidays, the last week of August).

This is an on-site role.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all staff to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check.

Please note: We do not accept applications via agencies.

If you have any questions about the role, please email HR@shsg.org.

Application forms must be completed in full online on My New Term and must include a supporting statement explaining how your skills and experience meet the requirements of the role, with particular reference to the Person Specification and Job Description. CVs will not be accepted.

Completed applications should be submitted by Thursday 2nd April 2026 at midday.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications.

As we may interview suitable candidates as applications are received, applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Information about the School

“Pupils flourish and excel at Southend High School for Girls.”

– Ofsted, July 2024

Southend High School for Girls (SHSG) is an outstanding grammar school with academy status, proudly educating generations of students for over a century. We blend tradition with innovation, creating a dynamic learning environment where students are safe, happy, and successful.

Our school is a family-orientated community where pupils thrive. Students achieve exceptionally high outcomes and benefit from an ambitious curriculum and an exemplary careers education programme. As one pupil told Ofsted, “The school will literally help you do anything you want to do.”

We offer a vast range of clubs, trips, productions, and leadership opportunities, including the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme and World Challenge. Students are encouraged to lead and contribute, with many acting as ambassadors and house captains.

SHSG is proud to be a member of NACE (National Association for Able Children in Education), reflecting our commitment to stretching and challenging all learners. Our curriculum goes far beyond the National Curriculum, with students in Key Stage 3 studying three separate sciences and two languages, and engaging in ‘super-curricular’ tasks that promote independent research and critical thinking.

Staff are passionate, well-supported, and receive high-quality professional development. Our shared ethos of high expectations, mutual respect, and continuous improvement makes SHSG a truly special place to work.

If you are enthusiastic about education and excited to join a high-performing, caring school community, we warmly invite you to explore our current vacancies and consider becoming part of the SHSG family.