General Assistant

Looking to take your first step in education? We are looking for a dedicated and detail-orientated individual to work as General Assistant across both our Academies (Harris Coleraine Park and Harris Philip Lane). Working under the instruction and guidance of senior staff to provide general administrative, organisational and financial support to both schools, you will either have experience in an administrative role or looking to take your first step in an administrative support role within an educational environment. 

About Us

Harris Primary Academy Coleraine Park is an Outstanding primary academy and we have high expectations and aspirations for your children. All our staff  aim to give every child an exceptional education providing support, care, enrichment and challenge as they come through our doors. We give them opportunities to enjoy their learning and prepare them for future academic success as well as happy lives.  We have a unique creative curriculum, a clear vision, high expectations, strong moral values and a love of learning. 

Main Areas of Responsibility

Organisation

• To represent the Academy in a professional and welcoming manner to all visitors, staff and students, including telephone callers
• Undertake reception duties, answering general telephone and face to face enquiries and signing in visitors
• Assist in arrangements for school trips, events etc.

Administration

• Provide general clerical/admin support e.g. photocopying, filing, faxing, e-mailing, completing standard forms, responding to routine correspondence
• Maintain manual and computerised records/management information systems
• Produce lists/information/data as required, e.g. pupils’ data
• Undertake typing, word processing and other IT based tasks
• Sort and distribute mail
• Ensure reprographics requests are fulfilled on time;
• Undertake general administrative procedures
• Maintain and collate pupil reports

Resources

• Operate relevant equipment/ ICT packages (e.g. word, excel, databases, spreadsheets, internet)
• Maintain stock and supplies, cataloguing and distributing as required
• Assist in ordering uniform
• Provide general advice and guidance to staff, pupils and others
• Undertake general financial administration, e.g. processing orders

Qualifications, Knowledge and Training

• NVQ2 or equivalent qualification or experience in relevant discipline
• Good numeracy/literacy skills
• Minimum of 2 years school office experience

Experience & Knowledge

• General clerical/administrative/financial work
• Knowledge of safeguarding procedures for young people
• Experience of Reception duties including dealing with visitors to the Academy

Skills & Abilities

• Appropriate knowledge of first aid
• Effective use of ICT packages
• Use of relevant equipment/resources
• Good keyboard skills
• Ability to relate well to children and adults
• Work constructively as part of a team, understanding of school roles and responsibilities and your own position within these
• The ability to take initiative and work independently
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Good communication skills
• Good organisational and time keeping skills
• Good interpersonal skills
• Able to work independently and manage own workload

Next Steps

If you have any questions about this opportunity, please contact us via e-mail, or call to arrange a conversation.

Before applying, please download the Job Pack for full details on the job responsibilities and person specification. You will need this when completing your application.

Please note: we may hold interviews as and when applications are received and we reserve the right to offer to a candidate prior to the closing date. We only accept applications submitted online via our careers website and which are completed before the closing deadline. With this in mind, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible and advise you check the job information as per the listing on our careers site.

Professional Development & Benefits

Our people are at the heart of our success. We have developed a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of top-quality training programmes delivered at every level to senior leadership.

We look for talented individuals who share our vision for creating exceptional places of learning, and are committed to ensuring that every child in London has access to the best possible education.

In addition to the opportunities for career progression, training and development, we also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package which includes our Harris Allowance, a Performance and Loyalty Bonus, Pension Scheme, a Wellbeing Cash Plan and many other benefits.

Safeguarding Notice

The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share in this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed for all applicants. Before applying, please review our Policy Statement on the Recruitment of Ex-Offenders.

Equal Opportunities

The Harris Federation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

As a provider of employment and education, we value the diversity of our staff and students, and all our staff are equally valued and respected. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment for our students and staff.