PA to Head of Prep School

Post

St Helen's Prep School is looking to appoint a permanent full time Personal Assistant (PA) to the Head of Prep School, starting September 2024. Core working hours will be 08:00am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday, during term time, although flexibility will be needed to meet the demands of the role.

Reporting directly to the Head of Prep School.

Purpose:

To provide comprehensive and pro-active secretarial and administrative support to the Head of Prep School. The responsibilities linked to this post are wide ranging and the list of main duties contained in the attached applicant pack is by no means exhaustive, and it will be necessary to perform other such duties commensurate with the post as may from time to time arise or be determined. Much of the work of the office is by its very nature confidential and it is essential that the Head of Prep can always depend upon the discretion of her PA.

Prep school details, a full list of responsibilities and person specification can be found on the attached ‘applicant information pack’. However, the successful applicant must have:

·        Previous high-level PA/Secretarial experience

·        Ability to build an instant rapport with young children.

·        Understanding and application of safeguarding procedures relevant to a school

environment.

·        High level of literacy skills (proof reading and letter drafting).

·        A highly organised individual with the ability to plan and organise work effectively.

·        Ability to think ahead to establish an efficient and appropriate course of action for

self and others.

·        A confident self-starter with a willingness to be accountable for actions.

·        Prioritise and plan assignments considering all the relevant issues and factors such

as deadlines.

·        An excellent communicator who can stay calm under pressure and ensure the

smooth running of diaries and completion of tasks/ issues.

·        Excellent IT skills with advanced Microsoft Office, Excel databases etc.

·        Ability to demonstrate tact and diplomacy.

·        A high degree of confidentiality and integrity.

·        A professional and credible manner.

·        Good literacy skills and articulate

·        Flexible with hours to support the needs of the role.

It is desirable for the successful candidate to have the following qualifications, experience, and personal attributes: 

•     Experience of working in an educational setting

•     Evidence of further professional development

APPLICATION PROCESS

Closing date: 8.00am Friday 14th June 2024

Please apply as soon as possible as shortlisting/interviews will progress up until the closing date. Should a suitable candidate be appointed, we reserve the right to close the advert early. 

Due to the high volume of applicants, we receive, if you do not hear from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume we will not be progressing your application further on this occasion. 

THE SELECTION PROCESS

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to the school where they will be interviewed by the Head of Prep and members of the Senior Leadership team, undergo a skills test, have a tour of the Prep school and meet other members of the wider team. 

St Helen’s school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, as detailed in Part 3 (Safer Recruitment) of the KCSIE 2023 guidance document. Applicants will be asked for proof of right to work in the UK and undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and the disclosure and barring service.

If you have any queries about this position, please contact the school at recruitment@sthelens.london