Office Manager / The Link Academy in Dudley

We are seeking an organised, proactive and personable Office Manager to join our academy as our long-standing postholder retires. While experience is preferred, the right attitude, flexibility and willingness to learn are equally important. This is a busy and reactive role, so we are looking for someone who can confidently support the day-to-day running of the academy. A full driving licence, access to a car and business insurance are essential.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading and supporting our admin, finance, site and health & safety teams
• Ensuring smooth daily operations across the academy
• Providing administrative support
• Delivering first aid cover (training for the required 3-day first aid qualification will be provided, with an additional payment made for this responsibility)

The Link Academy is in Netherton, Dudley, and draws pupils from across central and eastern Dudley as well as neighbouring Sandwell. There are currently some 1,000 learners on roll and the academy recruits at capacity. The principal, Emma Edwards-Morgan, is an ex-pupil of the school and shares the Trust's determination to restore the reputation for excellence that it once held.

The grades that learners achieve at GCSE have improved for four successive years, with a rise in the proportion of learners achieving Grade 5 or higher in both English and Mathematics from 23% to 41%. The progress that learners make while they are at school is now well above national average. An Ofsted report in 2022 raised The Link Academy by two grades to be 'Good' across the board, a result only achieved by twelve other schools in the previous ten years.

The Trust recognises that our staff are our most valued asset and investing in our people is a key strategic priority. An extensive programme of staff development is operated within school and across the Trust, and this is extended to senior and middle leaders, aspiring leaders, and teaching and associate staff. You will be joining The Link Academy at an exciting time as we continue our journey to provide first-class education for the young people of Dudley.

Dudley Academies Trust was formed in September 2017, uniting four secondary schools under the sponsorship of Dudley College of Technology, which is one of the UK's leading FE colleges and rated 'Excellent' by Ofsted. The schools are: Beacon Hill Academy, Pegasus Academy, St James Academy and The Link Academy. The Trust, when combined with the sponsor, annually supports 8,500 young people aged 11 to 19 years old and employs almost 1,300 staff.

The Trust has a strong emphasis on providing the very best educational experience for pupils so they can experience both academic and personal success. It has a strong central team that works across the schools to ensure that our aspirations for them are put into practice. We believe that our investment in people, technology and our estate makes the Trust an attractive employer for anyone who wishes to work in a progressive environment where achievement is valued.

Our Chief Executive, Jo Higgins, joined us after a career in school leadership in South Yorkshire, where she led Penistone Grammar School for ten years. She also contributed to the borough-wide school improvement system in Barnsley and she led the application process for a cross-phase MAT of eleven schools. As a school leader, Jo is motivated by the conviction that all young people should be able to access outstanding provision, irrespective of their starting point in life. As part of her previous work, she has driven rapid school improvement and brings this experience to help strengthen each school's performance.

The vision for Dudley Academies Trust is that our family of schools will be the first choice for young people and parents in north and central Dudley. We will achieve this through:

• Innovative teaching and learning supported by a team of expert practitioners who work across our schools
• Access to the latest available learning technologies
• A relentless focus on aspiration
• A rich, broad and varied curriculum, meeting the needs of learners of all abilities
• Providing clear pathways to educational advancement and employment
• Instilling positive values in our learners through a system of Values Driven Expectations that rewards achievement and good behaviour
• Developing a culture in which our staff can contribute, develop and thrive