Job Description

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Required November 2026

Office Manager & PA to the Head Teacher

8:00am-4:00pm (4 days per week), 8:00am-3:30pm (1 day per week)

37 hours per week, 41 weeks per year (2 weeks to be worked in August)

Essex Scale 6 (points 14 - 18), £29,540 - £31,537 (FTE - pay award pending)

Actual Salary £26,571 - £28,368

Generous Local Government Pension Scheme

Are you an organised, proactive and professional administrator who thrives in a fast-paced school environment? Do you have the skills and experience to lead our school offices and provide high-quality administrative and operational support across the schools?

The Writtle Schools are seeking an exceptional Office Manager & PA to the Headteacher. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key leadership role within our administrative team, supporting the smooth and efficient operation of our schools.

This is a pivotal role at the heart of our schools, combining office management, workforce administration, statutory compliance and confidential personal assistant support to the Headteacher.

The successful candidate will be a confident leader who can supervise, motivate and support administrative colleagues whilst maintaining excellent standards of customer service.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the day-to-day operation of the school office.
• Supervise and support administrative staff, ensuring high standards of service.
• Act as Personal Assistant to the Headteacher, managing correspondence, meetings and confidential matters.
• Maintain workforce records and support employee lifecycle processes including recruitment, induction, probation monitoring and absence reporting.
• Ensure workforce compliance documentation, including the Single Central Record, is accurate and maintained in line with statutory requirements.
• Coordinate workforce data returns, including the School Workforce Census.
• Liaise effectively with staff, parents, governors, local authority representatives and external agencies.
• Support the smooth running of school events and administrative functions.

We Are Looking for Someone Who:

• Has experience of working in a busy school office or similar administrative environment.
• Has experience handling workforce administration and confidential information.
• Has excellent organisational skills and meticulous attention to detail.
• Can prioritise competing demands and work effectively under pressure.
• Has strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Is confident using Microsoft Office/Google and school information systems.
• Can lead, motivate and support a team.
• Demonstrates a commitment to safeguarding, confidentiality and professional integrity.

We Can Offer:

• A welcoming and supportive school community.
• Friendly and collaborative working environment.
• Access to training and development.
• A varied and rewarding role where no two days are the same.
• The opportunity to play a key role in supporting the education and wellbeing of our pupils.
• Employee Assistance Programme and access to a generous Local Government Pension Scheme.

Location: Based at Writtle Schools

Closing Date: 13th October 2026

Interviews: Friday 23rd October 2026

Information about the Trust and our Schools:

The HIVE Family of Schools comprises four successful schools: Moulsham Junior School, Moulsham Infant School, Writtle Infant School and Writtle Junior School. Whilst each school is successful in its own right, all benefit from being part of the HIVE Family, which was officially formed in April 2025.

This collaborative relationship has helped improve outcomes for children, supported staff professional development and enabled leaders to share best practices. The HIVE Family of Schools is committed to providing inclusive, high-quality education and meeting the diverse needs of all pupils. Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is at the heart of everything we do, ensuring our pupils feel safe, happy and able to thrive.

As an equal opportunities' employer, HIVE family of schools is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age; disability; gender re-assignment; marriage and civil partnership; pregnancy and maternity; race (which includes ethnic origin, nationality and ethnic or national origins); religion or belief; sex; and sexual orientation. We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join HIVE family of schools.

HIVE family of schools is committed to safeguarding our pupils against radicalisation and extremism 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 an application form, CVs will not be accepted.  This appointment will be subject to pre-employment checks including an enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service and satisfactory references.

How to Apply: Please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification before applying.

Applications are to be made via the Essex Schools Jobs Website www.essexschoolsjobs.co.uk

We may decide to close the advertisement sooner in the event that suitable candidates are shortlisted before the closing date.

If you would like more information, please contact our Chief Finance & Operations Officer, Tara Barrett on 01245-352098 or email tbarrett@hivefamily.co.uk

Visits to the schools are warmly welcomed, please contact Tara or recruitment@hivefamily.co.uk to arrange a visit.