At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage school fees, billing, and pupil registration while ensuring smooth communication with parents.
- Company: Join Colfe's School, one of London's oldest and most inclusive educational institutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, term-time work, and a supportive community environment.
- Other info: Opportunity for professional growth in a welcoming and community-focused school.
- Why this job: Make a positive impact in education while developing your skills in a vibrant setting.
- Qualifications: Strong communication, organisational skills, and experience in administrative or finance roles.
Excellent fees and billing role within a leading School. Brilliant environment, development and learning on offer.
About Our Client
This organisation operates within the not-for-profit sector and is committed to making a positive impact in its field. Colfe's is one of London's oldest schools. It takes its name from Reverend Abraham Colfe, Vicar of Lewisham, who re-founded the school in 1652. In his will, he entrusted the care of the School to the Leathersellers' Livery Company, which governs the school to this day. A former grammar school, Colfe's is a fully co-educational day school with over 1300 pupils in all from ages 3 to 18. Colfe's is a welcoming environment with a deep feeling of community pride among its students, parents, staff and alumni. Academic standards are high: students perform well with many going on to top universities. Excellent pastoral care gives pupils the tools they need to learn and to live, supporting them at school and preparing them for life beyond. Colfe's is more inclusive than many independent schools, more than 10% of pupils in a typical Sixth Form year group come from socially disadvantaged backgrounds and the School is committed to widening access still further.
Job Description
Key Responsibilities
- Fees Billing & Parent Accounts
- Manage the termly billing cycle for tuition fees and extras (e.g. clubs, trips, transport)
- Produce and issue interim bills as required
- Maintain accurate billing data and ensure reconciliation and audit trail integrity
- Administer deposit payments and refunds
- Maintain and apply fee remissions, scholarships and bursaries accurately
- Act as the primary point of contact for parental fee queries, resolving issues promptly and professionally
- Work with the Bursar to review and improve billing processes and controls
- Management of the Pupil Register
- Maintain the school's official pupil register, ensuring accuracy at all times
- Process joiners and leavers, ensuring correct data entry and system updates
- Ensure compliance with Independent School Standards / safeguarding-related reporting obligations
- Liaise closely with Admissions, HR and Academic teams to ensure alignment of records
- Bursaries & Means-Tested Support
- Administer the annual review process for means-tested bursaries and scholarships
- Manage communication with families with professionalism, discretion and sensitivity
- Maintain accurate records of awards and supporting documentation
- Support assessment and re-assessment processes alongside the Bursar
- Systems & Process Improvement
- Maintain and develop the effective use of School MIS (e.g. SIMS / iSAMS) and Finance/billing systems
- Identify opportunities to:
- Improve efficiency
- Reduce manual processes
- Enhance reporting and data quality
- Support integration between admissions, finance and pupil systems
- Liaison for Home to School transport contract
- Support the School's transport provider to plan the day-to-day operation of the School's coach services, adapting to changes in pupil or school requirements
- Act as a point of liaison between parents and the transport provider, ensuring clear communication of arrangements and expectations
The Successful Applicant
Person Specification
Essential Experience & Skills
- Customer Service & Communication
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Confident and professional when dealing with parents
- Strong customer service mindset, including handling sensitive or complex queries
- Organisation & Attention to Detail
- Exceptional accuracy and attention to detail
- Ability to manage multiple deadlines and competing priorities
- Strong organisational and time management skills
- Process & Systems
- Experience of working in a process-driven administrative or finance environment
- Ability to manage and improve processes
- Strong IT skills, including Excel and Databases/ MIS systems
- Interest in systems development and efficiency improvements
- Problem Solving & Initiative
- Ability to identify issues and resolve them independently
- Proactive approach to improving ways of working
- Confidentiality & Professionalism
- High level of discretion, particularly in financial and pupil matters
- Ability to handle sensitive information appropriately
Desirable
- Experience in a school or education setting
- Familiarity with school MIS systems (e.g. SIMS, iSAMS)
- Experience of:
- Fees billing
- Admissions or registrar functions
- Bursary or financial support administration
What's on Offer
Term time salary (£40,000-£45,000). FTE of £45,400-£51,075
Location: Colfe's School, London, SE12
Hybrid: 5 days on site: 9am-5pm plus 6 weeks during the school holiday
School Fees Manager & Registrar employer: COLFE'S SCHOOL
Colfe's School is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment that prioritises professional development and community engagement. With a commitment to high academic standards and pastoral care, employees can expect meaningful contributions to the lives of students while enjoying competitive salaries and a strong sense of belonging within a historic institution in London.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land School Fees Manager & Registrar
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Colfe's School on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info and maybe even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the school's values and community initiatives. We want to show that we’re not just about the numbers but also care about making a positive impact.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice common interview questions related to customer service and problem-solving. We need to demonstrate our ability to handle sensitive queries with professionalism and discretion.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after the interview! A quick thank-you email can keep us fresh in their minds and show our enthusiasm for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace School Fees Manager & Registrar
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Education:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the education sector shine through. We want to see how you connect with our mission at Colfe's and how you can contribute to our community.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure to highlight your relevant experience and skills without unnecessary fluff. Remember, less is often more!
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application for the School Fees Manager & Registrar role. We’re looking for specific skills and experiences that match the job description, so don’t hesitate to showcase those!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure it gets to us quickly and securely, plus you’ll find all the details you need about the role there!
How to prepare for a job interview at COLFE'S SCHOOL
✨Know Your Numbers
As a School Fees Manager & Registrar, you'll be dealing with billing and financial data. Brush up on your numerical skills and be prepared to discuss how you've managed fees and billing processes in the past. Highlight any experience you have with systems like SIMS or iSAMS.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
This role requires excellent communication with parents and staff. Think of examples where you've handled sensitive queries or resolved issues professionally. Be ready to demonstrate your customer service mindset during the interview.
✨Demonstrate Attention to Detail
Accuracy is key in this position. Prepare to discuss how you've maintained precise records and managed multiple deadlines. Bring examples of how you've improved processes or ensured compliance in previous roles.
✨Be Proactive About Problem Solving
The interviewers will want to see your initiative. Think of times when you've identified issues and taken steps to resolve them independently. Share your ideas on how to improve efficiency in billing processes or data management.
