English MartyrsCatholic Primary School

“A Learning Community in Christ”

School Business Manager Application Pack

English MartyrsCatholic Primary

School

Our Vision“A Learning Community in Christ”

School Mission StatementTo accept each Individual as they are and to enable them to develop their full potential

within a Christ–centred, worshipping community in a spirit of love, happiness and understanding.

School AimsWe want to help our children to reach a greater understanding of their Catholic faith.

Encourage respect, tolerance, understanding and courtesy towards others.

Let each child develop to their fullest potential spiritually, morally, academically, physically, creatively and socially in order that they make their own unique contribution to society.

Create a climate of excellence, through our happy and stimulating environment, where children are challenged within a balanced and enriched curriculum.

Offer and promote a learning community, where opportunities for all are equal, each child is valued and high expectations are made and celebrated.

Maintain a safe and nurturing culture in which each child grows in self–esteem, self-confidence and self-discipline.

Encourage an understanding of and respect for the environment and communities locally, nationally and globally.

2 | P a g e

The Setting and Context of English Martyrs Catholic Primary School

English Martyrs Catholic Primary School is situated in Worthing, which is one of the largest towns in West Sussex (population 104,000 and continuing to grow). It is a town set between the sea and the South Downs. English Martyrs is in the Durrington area of Worthing between the parishes of English Martyrs Catholic Church and St. Michael’s Catholic Church. This covers a wide area of Worthing from High Salvington on the foothills of the South Downs in the north, to Ferring in the east and to the coast in the south.

English Martyrs is a happy school where staff and children enjoy coming to school and where parents are proud to send their children. There is a real commitment to strengthening the school year by year and a genuine motivation to seek the best for our children. We revisit our School Mission Statement and School Aims regularly to ensure that we keep focus. Visitors, supply teachers and prospective parents often comment on the positive, calm and caring ethos of our school.

We try to live our Mission Statement through our inclusiveness. We have a wide mix of social backgrounds as our catchments cover a diverse range of electoral wards (13 wards in Worthing and Ferring). These range from affluent areas to areas of deprivation. We also have children who have English as an Additional Language and from ethnic backgrounds other than white European.

We admit pupils from non-Catholic backgrounds whose parents require a religious education and who promote an ethos in which spirituality is valued and promoted. At present 84% of our children are baptised Catholic children with 8.4% being children from other Christian faiths.

English Martyrs is a through primary school from reception to year six. Currently we have 203 children on roll within seven classes. At present we have 20% on our Special Educational Need’s register and of those 5 have a Statement of Educational Need or Educational Health Care Plan.

3 | P a g e

Parental support is very good. We have a large group of parent volunteers, ‘The Parent Army’, who have been trained to read with targeted children across the school. We also have parents who support in class with Maths and French. Many parents also volunteer to go on school trips and residential trips. The ‘Friends of School’ are well organised and very supportive. They run many events throughout the year to raise money for the benefit of the children. This is focused on improving the quality and enjoyment of the time they spend in school.

Community links are good with our two parishes of English Martyrs and St Michael’s. The parish priests visit weekly and come informally to see the children, to say Mass, take assemblies and contribute to areas of teaching in the RE syllabus. Members of the parish and local neighbours are invited to whole school productions and events such as the school fairs.

Our professional development record is excellent. We are proud that we promote professional development for all staff and are pleased with our recent record. Many former members of our leadership teams are now Headteachers across West and East Sussex.

We like to encourage our vision statement through our work with students from other educational establishments. We work with Chatsmore Catholic High School, other secondary schools and sixth form colleges in the area to provide placements for work experience students. We also provide placements for NVQ students from the Higher Education College and teaching students from Brighton, Chichester and other Universities.

The school has a strong team of Teaching Assistants, Learning Support Assistants, Learning Mentors, Lunchtime Supervisors, Office staff and Premises staff who are totally committed to the life and work of the school, as well as the education and personal development of the pupils.

4 | P a g e

Our Recent AchievementsThe school celebrated its Ruby Anniversary during 2014. During our 40 th year we took the opportunity to redevelop the school’s library and ICT facilities and were delighted to open a new Library and ICT area within the school. We also appointed a new Library Manager and Reading Mentor that has enabled us to make the most of these resources and help develop our children’s interest and desire in this area.

At our recent Ofsted inspection in September 2015 we achieved a ‘Good’ rating with our Personal Development, Behaviour and Welfare judged as being ‘Outstanding’.

We continue to excel in our sporting events and maintain an enthusiastic and inclusive approach. We have had successes at many of the recent inter-school competitions – our year 3 boys came first and second in the cross country, year 6 gymnastics team came fourth out of 64 teams, our school won the Knights of St Columba Netball tournament and our boys football team were runners up. Our tag rugby teams have enjoyed great success and we are pleased to participate in

most local community competitions.

Year 4 have won gymnastics competitions and were runners up in a recent Netball tournament. We hosted an Outdoor Athletics competition for Year 2 and organised the Sussex Catholic Schools Football tournament. Years 4 and 6 participated in the local Swimming Gala. We received the Sainsbury’s Gold Sports Award in the Summer 2015.

5 | P a g e

Person Specification: Business MangerEssential Desirable To be evidenced by

QualificationsGood written English and Maths: GCSE or O Level pass or equivalent

X Job Application Form

Evidence of a commitment to further study in specific areas of the job description

X Job Application Form

Educated to degree, HNC, NVQ4 level X Job Application FormExperiencePrevious experience of working in an office environment(finance & personnel)

X Job Application Form

Previous experience motivating and leading staff

X Job Application Form & Reference

Previous experience of preparing budgets and monitoring costs / income

X Job Application Form

Competent on FMS and SIMS X Job Application FormExperience applying for grant funding X Job Application FormProfessional Knowledge and UnderstandingUnderstanding of accounting principles

X Job Application Form & Reference

Excellent ICT Skills, including proficiency in MS Word, Excel & Databases

X Job Application Form & Reference

Proficient in MS Excel spread sheets and computer based account packages

X Job Application Form & Reference

Knowledge of Health & Safety requirements

X Job Application Form & Reference

Understanding of personnel administration and related issues

X Job Application Form & Reference

An understanding of school management issues and the governing body

X Job Application Form & Interview

Skills and AbilitiesGood organisational skills X ReferenceAbility to learn new skills and processes quickly

X Reference

Able to use own initiative and be proactive

X Reference and Interview

Ability to work to high level of accuracy and presentation

X Application Form

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

X Application Form & Interview

Ability to relate well to children and adults

X Reference

6 | P a g e

Understand the need for confidentiality and discretion

X Reference

An ability to think strategically X Job Application Form & Interview

Has a high level of focus to cope in a busy environment

X

Personal QualitiesFriendly & approachable X InterviewBe flexible and open to new ideas and challenges

X Reference

Be a strong team player X ReferenceTo be confident, resilient, discreet and loyal

X Reference

Calm under pressure X ReferenceTo be supportive of our school’s Catholic ethos

X Interview

To have respect for children and their needs

X Interview

7 | P a g e

School Business Manager - Job Description

Post Title: School Business Manager

Grade: Grade 7 / 8

Hours of work: 25 hours per week term time

Leave to be taken during school holidays

Responsible To: Headteacher and Governing Body

Responsible For:

Administrative staff (3), Site and Premises staff/ Cleaners (3) ICT Staff (1)

Responsible for the school’s administrative systems & HR, finance procedures, school premises, Health & Safety and income generation.

Job Purpose:

To be part of the school senior leadership team, inspiring, motivating and leading by example. To make a significant contribution to the growth of the school by providing professional leadership and management of school support staff. Act as the school’s leading support staff professional at all times and assist the Headteacher in her duty to ensure that the school meets its educational aims. Promote the highest standards of business ethos within the administrative function of the school and strategically ensure the most effective use of resources in supporting the school objectives.

Strategic Leadership and Management

The School Business Manager is a full member of the school Leadership Team.

The purpose of the job is to:

Develop, lead and managing the business, premises and finance and administrative systems To ensure the efficient operation of the school’s budget To provide timely financial reports and strategic advice to the Governing Body, To ensure effective administrative systems and practices that comply with legal and

statutory requirements To undertake continual assessment of the support service to ensure that the needs of the

school are met in the face of government and legislative changes To actively seek maximisation of income for the school by strategic forward planning and

taking a commercial view on leading business potential and opportunities

8 | P a g e

To be a full member of the School Leadership Team providing advice and information to the school so that the school can make effective management decisions.

Give a strategic leadership and vision to all aspects of the budget, finance, premises, health & safety and school management information systems.

Ensure the school makes the best possible use of available resources. Ensure that the school is fully prepared to meet external auditing and SFVS. Liaise with the site supervisor to ensure that the learning environment is permanently safe,

secure, efficiency run and it consistently meeting its potential. To liaise with relevant members of the Local Authority. To function as line manager for all administration, finance and premises staff and for other

associate staff as and when appropriate. To attend finance governors’ meetings and other committees ( acting as clerk when

appropriate.) To develop and manage the marketing strategy for the school To promote the school to different audiences including the press and raise its profile within

the local community To act as a role model and lead by example, embracing change and constantly pursuing the

best for the school To ensure that the school consistently reviews its ICT strategy as part of the SLT to maximise

the potential for the school

Finance and Managing Resources

Preparation of school’s annual budget for approval by LA, Headteacher and Governors. To obtain agreement of budgets and to monitor against budgets – recommending budget

revisions to Headteacher and Governing Body. To prepare regular management accounts for budget holders and to report on the financial

state of the school to governors. To be responsible for the management of the school accounting function, ensuring its

efficient operation according to agreed procedures, and to maintain those procedures by conducting at least an annual review.

To act as authorised signatory as delegated by Headteacher. To ensure that Best Value Statement, and all financial returns for the DfE and LA and other

central and local government agencies are compiled and submitted within statutory deadlines

Responsible for ensuring maintenance of FMS finance system – ensuring the efficient ordering, processing and payment of all goods and services provided to the school.

Preparation of invoices and collection of fees and monies due to the school. To act as budget holder for: building/site maintenance; administrative supplies; furniture;

cleaning/caretaking etc To prepare all financial returns for DfE and LA within statutory deadlines. Responsible for ensuring that the school’s voluntary funds are administered efficiently, are

reviewed and monitored and are externally audited annually, and that accounts are remitted to the Local Authority within deadlines.

Ensure the school’s Equipment (Asset) Register is maintained and a rolling replacement programme is in place.

Maximise income generation – preparation of bids/sponsorship for external funding and management of all external funding.

To negotiate, manage and monitor contracts, tenders and agreements for the provision of support services.

9 | P a g e

To use financial information to identify areas of spending, to assess trends and to advise the head teacher and governors accordingly

Ensure that all cash received in school e.g. trip donations are processed as per financial procedures and banked appropriately.

To ensure that the principles and procedures detailed in the Schools Financial Value Standard (SFVS) are adhered to.

Human Resources

To be responsible for the school’s general HR function for new staff and to ensure that contracts of employment are issued.

Responsibility for ensuring efficient maintaining of staff records on SIMS and ensuring accurate recording of information for School Workforce Reform.

To be responsible for providing advice on recruitment procedures, induction and training. Advice on the process of selection of staff, both supply and contracted teaching and support staff, advertising vacancies, arranging interviews, following up references in conjunction with the Headteacher and the Governors.

To provide high quality advice/information for Headteacher and Governing Body on assessment of salaries, expenses, sickness and maternity procedures, redundancy and other HR matters.

To advise Governing Body on the policies needed to comply with legislation concerning employment protection, equal pay etc. and the implementation of these policies in the school.

To deliver induction programme to new members of non-classroom based staff To provide leadership and guidance for associate staff, including direct line management

where appropriate. To maintain confidential staff records and to ensure that staff records held in school by

others are kept confidential. Ensure salary and expenses claim forms are authorised and remitted to LA on a monthly

basis. Manage and maintain the school’s Single Central Record for safeguarding purposes. To ensure that there is adequate staff cover to meet the school’s needs at all times.

Estate Management

Co-ordinate with site manager re security, safety of premises, work to be carried out etc. To liaise with Buildings/Electrical/Mechanical Inspectors regarding proposals/costings of

work to be carried out on the premises. Manage all projects on premises and site and liaise with contractors/LA as required Liaise with receptionist re provision of appropriate level of hospitality for visitors/meetings Ensure the supervision of relevant planning and construction processes is undertaken in line

with contractual obligations Ensure the safe maintenance and security operation of all school premises 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 Follow sound practices in estate management and grounds maintenance Monitor, assess and review contractual obligations for outsourced school services Ensure a safe environment for the stakeholders of the school to provide a secure

environment in which due learning processes can be provided

10 | P a g e

Ensure ancillary services e.g. catering, cleaning, etc., are monitored and managed effectively Manage the letting of school premises to external organisations, for the development of the

extended services and local community requirements. Seek professional advice on insurance and advise the SLT on appropriate insurances for the

school and implement and manage such schemes accordingly.

Health & Safety Act as the school’s Health & Safety Co-ordinator and Fire Officer. Plan, instigate and maintain records of fire practices and alarm tests. Ensure the school’s written health & safety policy statement is clearly communicated and

available to all people Ensure the health & safety policy is implemented at all times, put into practice and is subject

to review and assessment at regular intervals or as situations change Enable regular consultation with people on health and safety issues Ensure systems are in place to enable the identification of hazards and risk assessments Ensure systems are in place for effective monitoring, measuring and reporting of health and

safety issues to the Senior Team, Governors and where appropriate the Health & Safety Executive

Ensure the maximum level of security consistent with the ethos of the school Oversee statutory obligations are being met for pupils with special educational needs,

ensuring that financial and supporting agency services are adequate for their diverse needs

Whole School Administration

To manage the administrative function including the administrative ICT facilities, school reception, records and telephones

To be responsible for the system and general management of the school’s administrative and financial computer network

Responsibility for management of all the school’s administration policies, procedures and data management systems.

Ensure highest degree of welcome for school users visiting or telephoning. To ensure that all pupil related returns e.g. absence, School Census are generated and

submitted to the relevant agencies correctly and in a timely manner. There is an expectation that all members of staff will participate in INSET and training

activities to continue their own professional development and to enhance their role within school.

General

To contribute to a positive school ethos and to always present a polite, calm, professional and positive face of the school to a wide range of people who work in, visit or contact the school.

To cover reception duties of office staff as required, to ensure the office has adequate cover at all times.

To attend and participate in meetings as required.

11 | P a g e

These duties and responsibilities should be regarded as neither exclusive nor exhaustive as the post holder may be required to undertake other reasonably determined duties and responsibilities, commensurate with the grading of the post, without changing the general character of the post.

12 | P a g e