IT Assistant

Permanent contract
[NJC pt. 1-6, dependent upon experience/qualifications]
Full time – 37 hours per week all year round 

The William Henry Smith School is a non-maintained residential special school for boys aged 5-19 experiencing complex Social, Emotional, and Mental Health challenges (SEMH). Our students have a breadth of special educational needs, including learning difficulty and disability. We are a not for profit charitable organisation providing ‘Ofsted Outstanding’ education, therapy and care. Our vision is to ensure opportunities for success are provided through a diverse programme of bespoke individual learning pathways and life skills across the 24 hour curriculum which serve to develop resilience and skills for life-long learning, happiness and an improved quality of life. The school has a strong ethos and culture, built upon firm foundations that underpins all our work on improving quality of life outcomes for our students and their families, through our strong focus on key working, developing relationships with students and partnerships with parents and carers. 

Applications are invited for an experienced assistant for our ICT team who will make a significant contribution towards ensuring the ICT infrastructure, systems and support function within the school are efficient, effective, well maintained and managed. We are looking for a highly motivated person who can effectively work in a flexible and changing environment as part of a team and is able to assist in serving teaching, learning, care and administrative functions. There is a whole school expectation that all staff play an integral part in our keyworking structure which is embedded within our quality of life values and ethos. 

The successful candidate will assist in developing a strategic approach to the future of the ICT provision in school. You will be forward thinking, creative, able to work under pressure and to deadlines and provide support and advice to the whole school community. Excellent communication skills are essential to this role; you will work alongside the IT Manager and our external IT provider, and be responsible for liaising with external suppliers.  

The main duties of the role are to plan for and undertake IT upgrades and developments; lead and provide support on the school IT helpdesk; ensure the network servers, infrastructure, firewalls and domain are appropriately managed, monitored, supported and maintained by the external IT Provider; be responsible for ensuring the safety of the system in school and support the school implementing its ICT policies; to monitor the safety of the systems; manage the phone system; ensure IT, AV and reprographics endpoint equipment are maintained; be responsible for maintaining efficient records of hardware via the school inventory and efficient management and recording of software licensing agreements.

“There is a strong culture of aspiration and positivity that is embraced by all the staff” (Ofsted).

The school:

• Offers a full induction programme, including an outstanding network of support 

• Has a commitment to learning, development and CPD

• Has a strong focus on staff wellbeing including a weekly staff wellbeing programme

• Offers a competitive defined contribution pension scheme

• Offers an employee assistance healthcare cashback plan

• Access to Mind Space and Perks at Work App

• Will pay 50% towards the cost of branded workwear

• Assists with childcare savings and cycle to work scheme

The successful candidate will:

• Embrace and support the school’s Quality of Life and Positive Behaviour Support ethos 

• Have a positive attitude and mind-set, embracing the positive physical and mental health and wellbeing ethos. This includes role modelling self-care and reflection as part of our wider curriculum

• Have the ability to promote and celebrate diversity, collaboration, and equality in the school at all times

The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. The successful candidates will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service background check (you are applying for a position working in regulated activity). The school is also committed to promoting the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of both students and staff and reflects life in Modern Britain. 

To obtain an application pack please email the school at reception@whsschool.org.uk 

Closing date for applications:  12 noon, Monday, 26th April 2021

Candidates selected for interview will be contacted: Tuesday, 27th April 2021

(If you are not contacted from the school by 28 April you will not have been selected)

Proposed interview date: Thursday, 29th April 2021