School Secretary

Hendon Preparatory School is a thriving co-educational Independent Day School in North London for children from 3 –11 years.  The School provides a warm and nurturing environment, commitment to teamwork and the professional development of staff.

We are seeking an experienced School Secretary to ensure the smooth day-to-day running of the School Office, providing high quality, effective and efficient administrative support.

The role is required to assist the Business Manager and the Headteacher in the successful communications strategy and service delivery to our parents and teachers.

1) To take responsibility for coordinating and delivering communications

2) To provide a welcoming and professional front office experience

3) To be the SCR and Cognita People Champion and to undertake all compliance and administration duties

Key Accountabilities

• To be responsible for ensuring timely and accurate communications shared with necessary stakeholders. Examples include: Publishing articles and notifications via our parent app 'Cognita Connect'; Making and receiving telephone calls; Handling face to face queries at reception; Communicating with parents and third parties via email; Communication between catering and facilities as required.
• Ensuring all policies around confidentiality and the safe processing of information in compliance with GDPR are upheld at all times
• Be the Single Central Register (SCR) champion ensuring that all new members of staff are recorded correctly on the SCR and all relevant checks are undertaken in line with NSPCC, ISI and Cognita policy.
• To maintain and update the staff training matrix as part of compliance
• Maintain and update personal records and parent contact details on the MIS database and in house systems such as My Cognita, which will include regular audit and update to ensure accuracy of records.
• Ensure all pupil attendance is recorded appropriately and managed effectively.
• To assist and support the school in the administration of events including, but not limited to clubs, open events, parents evenings, staff events which may include working outside the normal work pattern from time to time.
• To assist the school with first aid needs and ensure good record keeping on Medical Tracker.
• To undertake all reasonable duties commensurate with the level of the post reasonably requested by management.

Safeguarding Responsibilities

• To comply with safeguarding policies, procedures and code of conduct
• To demonstrate a personal commitment to safeguarding and student/colleague wellbeing
• To ensure that any safeguarding concerns or incidents are reported appropriately in line with policy
• To engage in safeguarding training when required

Skills & Experience

• Experience of communications platforms such as Parentmail/School Comms etc
• Knowledge and experience of compliance administration
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate with all stakeholders
• Ability to inspire, motivate and energise colleagues and others you may interact with
• Excellent organisation skills with extreme focus on accuracy and due diligence with attention to detail
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft packages which may include Office 365
• Working knowledge of databases
• Working knowledge of SIMS
• The ability to work effectively as part of a team and to assist others as and when required

Key Stakeholders:

Internal: Headteacher and Senior Leadership Team / Heads of Department / All Teaching Staff / Business/Administration staff / Facilities and Site Management Staff / School Support Centre Staff

External: Pupils / Parents / Visitors / External contractors

Benefits:

Contributory pension scheme

Free lunch (term time only)

Access to 200+ free training modules

Free & confidential access to advice, support and counselling on a wide range of topics via Care First

Access to savings on products and services via My Staff Shop

Cycle to work scheme

School fee discount

25 days holiday + bank holidays

Note:

This is a full time role, 52 weeks per year (minus holidays & bank holidays.

Immediate start required