Administrative Assistant

Part Time Fixed Term

Application Pack

Location: Silkmore AcademyExeter StreetStaffordST17 4EG

REAch2 Registered address:REAch2 Academy TrustHenhurst Ridge Primary AcademyHenhurst RidgeBranstonBurton-Upon-TrentDE13 9SZ

www.reach2.org

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Contents

- Letter from Sir Steve Lancashire, Chief Executive

- The application process

- Information about the role

- Background on REAch2

- Job Description

- Person Specification

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Letter from Sir Steve Lancashire, Chief Executive, REAch2 Academy TrustDear Candidate,

Thank you for your interest in this role within the REAch2 Academy Trust.

This is a hugely exciting time for our family of schools. The Trust has been recognised by the Department for Education as being well placed to raise standards and achieve excellence for pupils in a growing number of schools nationwide. We are presented with a rare opportunity to make a real difference to the lives and life chances of so many primary school children – many of whom haven’t previously received the educational opportunities they deserve.

The Trust has academies based all across England and includes schools at various stages of development, from those requiring significant improvement through to existing outstanding schools. As a Trust we are clear about the importance of achieving long term sustainability for our schools. Our vision is to enable individual academies to flourish with real autonomy, whilst also ensuring a strong ethos of support and collaboration across our schools.

Teachers within REAch2 belong to a national community of professionals, and benefit from a wide range of networks and development opportunities across the Trust. In time, our best teachers are able to work across schools, develop specialisms and step up to leadership roles within and beyond their own academy. The Trust provides a strong culture of collaboration and support, together with high expectations for staff and pupils alike.

Those we recruit are able to demonstrate that they share our values, are highly motivated to work with colleagues within and beyond their school to continuously develop their skills and pursue professional excellence, and are committed to providing the highest standards of teaching for all children. If that is you then we would be delighted to receive your application.

Sir Steve Lancashire

Chief Executive, REAch2 Academy Trust

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The application processYou are invited to submit an application form, which is available together with this document.

Closing date for applications: 26 March 2020

Interviews: Week Commencing 30 March 2020

REAch2 Academy Trust has an Equal Opportunities Policy for selection and recruitment. Applicants are requested to complete an online Equal Opportunities Monitoring form.

In accordance with our Safeguarding Policy the successful candidate will be required to have an enhanced DBS check.

To arrange an informal discussion or visit the school please contact: Becky Pendlebury, School Business Manager

Email address: becky.pendlebury@silkmoreacademy.co.uk

Telephone number: 01785 333930

Completed application forms should be sent to:

Silkmore AcademyExeter StreetStaffordST17 4GE

Email address: becky.pendlebury@silkmoreacademy.co.uk

Telephone number: 01785 333930

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About the roleSilkmore Primary Academy is an outstanding one-form entry school located in Stafford. We have 245 pupils on roll and cater for 2 -11 years children only. At Silkmore we believe that children should learn through discovery and be fully immersed in their learning. The office team pride themselves as a support function to the school and the community and are always looking for ways in which to improve the service we offer.

We are part of the REAch2 Academy Trust family and foster close links with other schools throughout the Trust aiming to share resources, facilities and expertise to ensure the best teaching and learning possible.

Potential candidates should have an NVQ Level 2 in Business Administration or relative experience within a business or school setting.

The successful candidate will: Be highly organised and efficient Be a good communicator and can adapt to different stakeholders Have a flexible approach to working Work well within a team Displays initiative and ability to work independently Be enthusiastic and dynamic Be reliable with a sense of commitment Have a calm and patient manner

We can offer you:

A strong, caring, friendly and enthusiastic staff team committed to achieving high standards

A strong emphasis on teamwork Opportunities to grow and develop as a professional The opportunity to make a positive difference to the lives and life-chances of pupils.

This is an exciting opportunity and we look forward to receiving your application.

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You will be joining the REAch2 Academy Trust, a national family of primary academies committed to raising standards and achieving excellence for all pupils, whatever their background or circumstance. The Trust provides a strong culture of collaboration and support, together with high expectations for staff and pupils alike.

Silkmore Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This position is subject to an enhanced DBS Check and satisfactory written references.

VISITS ARE ENCOURAGED AND WELCOME please contact the school for visits dates.

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Background on REAch2

Founded in 2012, REAch2 Academy Trust is the largest primary-only academy trust in the country. We are a growing charitable organisation currently supporting over 50 primary academies across England.

We are a family that delivers school to school improvement, going the extra mile for all our children. We are passionate about dispelling the myth that only certain children are able to achieve.

With extensive school reform and proven educational excellence in our core staff, REAch2 set a mission: to help struggling schools to improve their provision and to offer outstanding education to our pupils, from disadvantaged or deprived communities. The drive was not to grow an empire of schools, but rather the compulsion to share our proven approach to sustained school improvement for the benefit of children and their communities.

But REAch2 is about so much more, offering a richness of experience that gives real colour throughout the time our children spend with us.

Schools, staff and children within the Trust benefit from a strong ethos of support and collaboration across the REAch2 family. Teachers within REAch2 belong to a national community of professionals, and benefit from a wide range of networks and development opportunities.

Our Cornerstones and TouchstonesREAch2 is a cornerstone of every academy in the Trust: a strong, responsible foundation providing a solid base, from which every academy can build and grow. Defined by the values of excellence, quality, delivery and standards – these features give the Trust its enduring attributes and its inherent reliability.

What gives each REAch2 Academy its uniqueness are the touchstones of the Trust: seven principles which make our Academies distinctive. Just as 500 years ago touchstones were used to test the quality of the gold they marked, so too our touchstones find what is precious and set these things

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apart. They are used to express the values and ethos of the Trust and describe what the Trust wants to be known for and how it wishes to operate.

The touchstones are:

- Learning: children and adults will flourish in their learning and through learning discover a future that is worth pursuing;

- Leadership: we aspire to an unwavering emphasis on the highest quality of leadership at all levels. The Trust seeks out talent, develops potential and spots the “possible” in people as well as the “actual”.

- Enjoyment: children deserve enjoyment in their learning and the pleasure that comes from absorption in a task and achieving their goals. Providing contexts for learning which are relevant, motivating and engaging will release in children their natural curiosity, fun and determination.

- Inspiration: inspiration breathes energy and intent into our schools: through influential experiences of people and place, children are compelled to believe that no mountain is too high and that nothing is impossible.

- Inclusion: we celebrate the economic, social and religious differences that serving a range of communities across the country brings and we encourage diversity. Embracing inclusion, particularly those children with special education needs, ensures that the Trust serves all and believes everyone can and must succeed.

- Responsibility: we take accountability seriously and by being responsible for every child, we act judiciously with control and care. We don’t make excuses, but mindfully answer for actions and continually seek to make improvements.

- Integrity: we are a trust that has a strong moral purpose. As a Trust we recognise that we lead by example and if we want children to grow up behaving appropriately and with integrity then we must model this behaviour. We welcome the fact that all our decisions and actions are open to scrutiny.

You can learn more about the touchstones, and hear from staff and pupils across REAch2 schools, at our website: www.reach2.org

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Job DescriptionPost: Administrative Assistant Salary: SCP 4-5

Responsible to: School Business Manager

Statement of Purpose Under the guidance and direction of the Headteacher or member of the Senior Management Team, the administrative assistant shall be responsible for:

Assisting with all aspects of the development and effective operation of the administrative function within the school.

Assisting with the management of the school’s office and reception area, assisting during periods of staff absence as required.

Main duties and responsibilities are indicated below. Other duties of an appropriate level and nature may also be required, as directed by the School Business Manager and Head Teacher.

The postholder will also be the designated Lead responsible for either the Financial Management or the HR Management duties of the role. This will be decided and agreed with the postholder by their line manager upon appointment to the role.

Administrative Support Undertake reception duties, answer routine telephone and face to face enquires and sign in

visitors. Provide routine clerical support eg photocopying, filing, emailing and completing routine forms. Sort and distribute and record mail. Operate office equipment. Maintaining school databases. Assisting with corporate hospitality. Liaise between managers/ teaching staff and support staff. Manage manual and computerised record/information systems. Undertake typing, word-processing and complex IT based tasks.

HR Management Support Provide administrative support to the recruitment process including collating applications and

preparing shortlisting forms Completing all pre-employment checks and maintaining records of these.

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Maintaining personnel files/electronic databases and ensuring all are complete. Organising staff training opportunities. Collate the annual School Workforce Census. Maintaining annual leave, sickness and other absence calendars and informing payroll of all sick

leave and any other relevant leave. Maintaining business car user database and informing staff when updates of documents are

required. Orienting new staff by sending out welcome packs/handbooks/policies. Taking notes at disciplinaries, grievances, capability etc. meetings and hearings and providing

general administrative support for employee relations cases.

Financial Management Support Monitor and manage stock within an agreed budget. Maintain financial records for audit and prepare for audit visits. Undertake general financial responsibilities including processing invoices, processing and

distributing orders, receipt and recording of monies. Assist with the planning, monitoring and evaluation of budgets or the budget. Undertake the administration of payroll systems.

General Assist with marketing and promotion of the school. Manage administration of facilities including use of school premises. Manage the school website and social media platforms. Liaise with IT technicians to ensure systems are fully effective. Liaise and support the School Business Manager and Site Manager on issues relating to Health

and Safety management. Provide support to Governors.

Responsibilities Promote and safeguard the welfare of children and young persons you are responsible for or

come into contact with. Be aware of and comply with policies and procedures relating to child protection, health, safety

and security, confidentiality and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person.

Be aware of, support and ensure equal opportunities for all. Contribute to the overall ethos/work/aims of the school. Appreciate and support the role of other professionals. Attend and participate in relevant meetings as required. Participate in training and other learning activities and performance development as required. Assist with pupil needs as appropriate during the school day.

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Additional Information

REAch2 is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This position is subject to an enhanced DBS Check and satisfactory written references.

The duties outlined in the Job Description may be varied to meet the changing demands of the school at the reasonable direction of the Headteacher. This job description does not form part of the contract of employment. It describes the way the post holder is expected to perform and complete the particular duties as set out above.

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Person Specification

Attributes Essential Desirable IdentifiedQualifications NVQ 2 Business and

Administration, or equivalent qualification or experience in relevant discipline.

First Aid qualification

Safer recruitment training

Application Form

Experience Experience of development management and operation of administrative systems

Experience of an MIS system eg Arbor, SIMS

Experience of working with financial systems

Experience of working within a school setting

Previous experience of a School Workforce Census

Application Form

Interview selection process

Knowledge/Skills Very good numeracy/literacy skills.

Note taking skills Full working knowledge

of relevant policies/codes of practice and awareness of relevant legislation.

Very good ICT skills. Ability to work

constructively as part of a team, understanding school roles and responsibilities and your own position within

Application Form

References

Interview selection process

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these. Good interpersonal skills

and the ability to work with a range of stakeholders.

Ability to relate well to children and to adults.

Excellent communication skills

Good organisation skills. Ability to prioritise

effectively. To have excellent time

management skills A desire to improve own

practice Positive, can do attitude

Other Enhanced DBS Disclosure is required to do this job

An ability to safeguard and promote the welfare of children

Interview selection process

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