At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a friendly office team and ensure smooth school operations.
- Company: Join Cordwalles Junior School, part of a supportive educational community.
- Benefits: Flexible working, generous holidays, and a competitive pension scheme.
- Other info: Opportunities for professional development across a cluster of schools.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a vibrant school environment while growing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in school administration and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 20910 - 20910 £ per year.
Cordwalles Junior School and Pine Ridge and Lorraine Federation are seeking a highly organised, proactive and personable Office Manager to their friendly and supportive team. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone with strong administrative experience and a passion for helping schools run smoothly. As the first point of contact for many of our parents, visitors and staff, you’ll play a vital role in ensuring the efficient day-to-day operation of the school office, while contributing to the warm and welcoming environment of our schools.
Your Opportunity
In this key role, you will lead and support a dedicated office team, ensuring the smooth and efficient running of all administrative functions across the schools. From overseeing daily operations and managing financial processes, to supporting the Leadership Teams and acting as the first point of contact for parents and visitors, this role offers variety, responsibility and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact. You will be at the heart of the school community, promoting a warm, professional environment while maintaining excellent communication and the highest standards of confidentiality.
What we are looking for:
- Proven experience working in a school office, ideally within an educational environment.
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and manage office staff effectively.
- Excellent planning, organisational, administrative and finance abilities with a keen eye for detail.
- Confident in using Microsoft Office (Excel, Word), with familiarity in school systems such as SIMS or Pupil Asset considered a bonus.
- Clear, professional communication skills and a friendly, welcoming manner.
- Highly reliable with excellent timekeeping, personal integrity, and a commitment to confidentiality.
- Able to prioritise workload, meet deadlines and remain calm and positive under pressure.
- A team player with a proactive, can-do attitude and an understanding of the importance of safeguarding in a school environment.
About Cordwalles Junior School
Our School sits within a newly established cluster of Primary schools, overseen by a Regional Director. Along with Cordwalles Junior School, our cluster includes the following other schools: Springfield Primary School, Lightwater Village School, Pine Ridge Infant School & Lorraine Infant School. This is an exciting opportunity to work collaboratively with colleagues across this cluster, to share expertise and experience, ensuring all children in our schools receive an excellent education and reach their potential. It also provides opportunities for career progression across the cluster and gives you the chance to further your professional development.
Join the GLF Schools Community
As a part of GLF Schools, you will join a community of staff dedicated to transforming education. With regular progression discussions, there will be a wealth of opportunities for you to grow your career, whether in one of our 43 academies or in our central team. Founded upon the values of Respect, Inclusivity, Integrity and Kindness, we work as a community whilst ensuring each school maintains its own unique identity, committed to ensuring all children and young people receive the best possible education.
GLF Schools Employment Offer
GLF Schools has a generous employment offer, which allows all our colleagues to Grow, Learn and Flourish:
- Access to our highly competitive Local Government Pension Scheme
- Flexible working options
- Generous holiday allowance
- Work life and family friendly policies
- Employee wellbeing initiatives
- Access to a staff benefits portal
- Community and collaboration working model
Please read the attached Join Our Community candidate pack for further information.
The Details:
- Start Date: September 2026
- Salary: GLF Associate 3.1 - £25,001 FTE
- Actual Salary: £20,910.76
- Hours of Work: 35 hours per week, Monday - Friday 8.15am - 3.45pm (39 weeks incl. INSET)
- Closing Date: Tuesday 16th June at 9.30am
- Interview Date: TBC
Office Manager employer: Cordwalles Junior School
Cordwalles Junior School and the Pine Ridge and Lorraine Federation offer a supportive and collaborative work environment, where you can make a meaningful impact on the school community. With a commitment to professional development and career progression across a cluster of schools, employees benefit from flexible working options, generous holiday allowances, and a strong focus on wellbeing. Join us in fostering a warm, inclusive atmosphere that prioritises the education and growth of every child.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Office Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector, attend local school events, and engage with online communities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the schools you're applying to, understand their values, and think about how your experience aligns with their needs. Practise common interview questions and be ready to showcase your leadership skills and proactive attitude.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your personality! When you get the chance to meet potential employers, let your friendly and welcoming nature shine through. Remember, they’re looking for someone who fits into their team culture, so be yourself and make a great impression.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the GLF Schools community. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Office Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Organisational Skills:As an Office Manager, being organised is key! Make sure your application reflects your strong planning and organisational abilities. Use examples from your past experiences to showcase how you’ve kept things running smoothly.
Be Personable and Professional:Since you'll be the first point of contact for parents and visitors, it’s important to come across as friendly and approachable. Use a warm tone in your application and highlight your communication skills to show that you can create a welcoming environment.
Highlight Relevant Experience:We want to see your experience in a school office or similar environment. Be specific about your previous roles and responsibilities, especially those that relate to managing teams and administrative functions. This will help us see how you fit into our friendly team.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this fantastic opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cordwalles Junior School
✨Know Your School's Values
Before the interview, take some time to research Cordwalles Junior School and its values. Understanding their commitment to respect, inclusivity, integrity, and kindness will help you align your answers with what they stand for, showing that you're a great fit for their team.
✨Showcase Your Organisational Skills
As an Office Manager, organisation is key. Prepare examples from your past experience where you've successfully managed multiple tasks or led a team. Be ready to discuss how you prioritise workload and maintain calm under pressure, as these are crucial skills for the role.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Relevant Software
Make sure you're comfortable with Microsoft Office, especially Excel and Word, as well as any school systems like SIMS or Pupil Asset. If you have experience with these tools, be prepared to discuss how you've used them in previous roles to enhance efficiency.
✨Practice Your Communication Skills
Since you'll be the first point of contact for parents and visitors, clear and professional communication is essential. Consider practising common interview questions with a friend, focusing on conveying your friendly and welcoming manner while also demonstrating your professionalism.
