Assistant to the Bursar & Clerk to the Governors
Sevenoaks School
Sevenoaks, Kent
- Expired
- Salary:
- Competitive Salary - plus benefits
- Job type:
- Full Time, Permanent
- Apply by:
- 22 May 2019
Job overview
The Role
This is an excellent opportunity for someone with previous PA or Executive Assistant experience at senior level, who is interested in being involved in a fast-paced and rapidly developing school community. The work will be varied, interesting and challenging and will require a high degree of professionalism and discretion given the sensitivity of many matters that will be dealt with by the Bursar and her assistant.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop a knowledge and awareness of the ethos and mission of the school, its activities and future plans, and the identities and various responsibilities of staff, particularly those in regular contact with the Bursar.
- Act as the first point of contact for staff, parents, and visitors to the Bursar, communicating effectively and promoting the reputation of the School at all times.
- Organise activities with and be responsible for communications between the School and its Governors and Trustees, and maintain the diary for the Chairman of Governors for matters relating to the school.
- Maintain the complex diary for the Bursar, ensuring that scheduling is aligned with working priorities and objectives, and makes the most effective use of available time.
- Deal with all incoming emails, post and phone calls; prioritising and either responding or forwarding to relevant colleagues, consulting with the Bursar or others as necessary. For complex or longer running queries/issues, it may be necessary to make further enquiries, prepare verbal or written briefings, and make recommendations for action.
- Organise internal and external meetings, book venues and meeting rooms, make arrangements for equipment and catering, ensure invitations, agendas and briefing papers are circulated in a timely manner and collate invitation responses.
- Assist in the preparation, collation and digital distribution of board papers or presentations, handling all sensitive or confidential matters with discretion.
- Attend meetings, take accurate notes, promptly prepare minutes, and then follow up any action points to ensure they have been completed by the nominated staff within agreed timescales.
- Assist the Bursar in organising her workload, keeping track of live issues, recommending priorities and time allocations, and ensuring that actions can be, and are, completed to agreed timescales.
- Prepare all paperwork and files relating to the daily schedule.
- Provide general secretarial and administrative support, including maintaining clear and effective digital and paper records, and maintaining office supplies and equipment.
- Prepare travel schedules, and make travel and accommodation arrangements.
- Provide welcoming care for visitors, including the provision of refreshments.
- Organise own workload and prioritise on a daily basis using own initiative and knowledge of the work, with minimum direct supervision.
Please see attached document for full Job Description & details on how to apply.
Attached documents
About Sevenoaks School
Founded in 1432, Sevenoaks enjoys a global reputation as a centre of academic excellence and a flagship school for the International Baccalaureate. A co-educational day and boarding school, it offers a stimulating, intellectually demanding and balanced education for over 1200 students from ages 11 to 18.
Sevenoaks is one of the world’s leading IB schools, having taught the International Baccalaureate for over 40 years. For nearly 20 years, all Sixth Form students have taken the full IB Diploma with consistently outstanding academic results which are testament to the school’s experience and commitment to the programme.
Sevenoaks is the top large-cohort IB school in the UK and among the top five globally. In recent years it has been the second highest achieving large-cohort IB school in the world. Sevenoaks is also the top fully co-ed all-IB boarding school in the UK, according to Best Schools (Education Advisers Ltd). The Sunday Times named Sevenoaks School Co-educational Independent Secondary School of the Year in 2023.
The school is one of the largest employers in the local area, employing staff in a wide variety of roles, and aiming to be an employer of choice for top staff from around the world. We offer our staff a competitive range of benefits and are in the process of developing a range of progressive employment policies and opportunities for personal and professional development. All Sevenoaks staff are encouraged to enjoy facilities such as our sports centre and pool, attend performances at our performing arts centre, and get involved in service activities within the local community. We strive to promote the positive mental and physical health of all staff, and are committed to ensuring that equality, diversity and inclusion are at the very heart of our culture and community. We believe every member of the school community should feel welcomed, included and valued.
Teaching at Sevenoaks:
Teaching here is immensely rewarding: we work in high-performing teams towards a shared endeavour. Everyone appointed to teach at Sevenoaks School is expected to engage actively in all aspects of our broad and well-rounded education.
We want all our pupils to enjoy their subjects, to be inspired by their teachers and to become independent, lifelong learners. Teachers are enthusiastic and well-qualified graduates. We have an exceptionally lively, talented and committed staff body. We welcome applications from experienced teachers and newly-qualified teachers, but can also provide training including PGCE for those joining the profession at whatever stage. All new staff undertake a comprehensive induction programme. Sevenoaks is committed to supporting its staff with training and professional development tailored to staff needs and interests.
All teachers are involved in proactive pastoral care. All teachers participate in the co-curriculum and, as our outreach activities expand, contribute to our work with local pupils and schools. Teachers at Sevenoaks are innovative and forward-thinking many are involved in the Institutes of Teaching and Learning, Higher Education and Professional Insight, and Service and Partnerships, shaping further development and initiatives for students and staff alike.
What people say about us:
‘Tough for any university not to be an anti-climax after Sevenoaks.’ Good Schools Guide.
The International Baccalaureate
All new staff undertake a comprehensive induction programme. No previous experience of teaching the International Baccalaureate, which we have taught since 1978, is necessary; gaining experience of teaching the IB, an internationally recognised qualification which we believe offers outstanding preparation for university and beyond, is stimulating and undoubtedly a valuable career asset. Information about the IB can be found on the website www.ibo.org.
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