Location: Expanse Learning Wigan School, Tyrer Avenue, Wigan, WN3 5XE.
Responsible for: General Management of Expanse Wigan School
Closing Date: 2nd November 2026
Role Purpose
The School Business Manager will play a key strategic and operational role in the effective management and smooth running of Expanse School. Working closely with the Senior Leadership Team, the postholder will oversee a broad range of business, financial, HR, health and safety, compliance, student data and administrative functions.
The role will provide professional leadership and support across the school, ensuring that robust systems, processes and procedures are in place and maintained to support the delivery of high-quality education and a safe, effective and well-managed school environment.
The School Business Manager will have responsibility for managing staff and supporting the school’s people functions, including recruitment, safer recruitment, employee relations, attendance, professional development, staff wellbeing and maintaining accurate personnel records.
The postholder will also oversee financial and administrative processes, including purchasing, invoices, funding information, petty cash and school monies, ensuring that appropriate controls and records are maintained.
The School Business Manager will oversee the accurate management and reporting of student and attendance data, ensuring the school’s MIS is maintained effectively and kept up to date. The postholder will produce regular reports and provide accurate data to support school leaders, governors and external reporting requirements, while identifying trends and ensuring data quality and compliance across the school.
Another aspect of the role is health, safety and facilities compliance, including tracking school staff training, emergency procedures, risk management, statutory checks, contractor compliance and maintaining appropriate records.
The successful candidate will be highly organised, proactive and professional, with excellent communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to manage competing priorities in a busy specialist school environment.
Job Description Statement
This job description provides an outline of the duties and responsibilities of the role, and the necessary skills and knowledge required to perform them as at the date it was created. By applying for this role, the candidate accepts that over time this job description may be subject to change as the candidate's duties and job evolves or as any changes to the school arise, this will be in consultation and discussion with the candidate. It will periodically be reviewed as part of ongoing continuing professional and school development. In addition, it may be amended at any time after consultation with you.
Safeguarding Statement
Expanse Learning is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All post holders are subject to satisfactory disclosure and clearance prior to employment.
It is unlawful for Expanse Learning to employ anyone who is barred from working with children. It is a criminal offence for any person who is barred from working with children to apply for a position at Expanse Learning. All applicants will be made aware that providing false information is an offence and could result in the application being rejected, or summary dismissal if the applicant has been selected, and referral to the police and/or the DBS.
Equality Statement
We are committed to achieving equal opportunities in the way we deliver services to the community and in our employment arrangements. We expect all employees to understand and promote this policy in their work.
Employees will be recruited based on their qualifications and experience to do the work to be performed, regardless of sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, race, colour, ethnic or national origin, nationality, religion or belief, political opinion, age, pregnancy & maternity, disability or trade union membership status.
Health and Safety
All employees have a responsibility for their own health and safety and that of others when carrying out their duties, and must support the school’s health and safety policies.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership and Management
- Provide effective operational and business management across the school.
- Line manage the Business Administration, School Chef and Welfare Assistant functions.
- Attend Senior Leadership Team meetings and contribute to strategic discussions and decision-making.
- Support the school as a member of the Senior Leadership Team during Ofsted inspections and other external reviews.
- Provide appropriate training and support to governors.
Finance and Business Administration
- Oversee the school’s purchasing and financial administration processes.
- Manage purchase orders and invoices, including those relating to cleaning, facilities, classroom resources, consultants and furniture.
- Prepare and maintain annual funding summaries.
- Manage student funding correspondence and documentation.
- Oversee petty cash processes and maintain appropriate records.
- Manage and account for school trip and charity monies.
- Review and verify monthly payroll reports to ensure accuracy.
Human Resources and People Management
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date employee records on PeopleHR.
- Support safer recruitment processes.
- Support with safer recruitment checks for new employees.
- Manage employee absence processes, including accurate recording, attendance monitoring, reviews, correspondence and meeting records.
- Coordinate and deliver new employee inductions.
- Arrange, monitor and maintain records of staff training and professional development.
- Support the review and implementation of school and group HR policies.
- Support new starter processes, including IT account creation, equipment, identification badges and relevant employee documentation.
- Coordinate employee IT equipment and system access in liaison with the IT Manager.
- Support recruitment interviews, including preparation of interview documentation.
- Manage DBS information for contractors, regular visitors and relevant external service providers.
Health, Safety and Facilities
- Coordinate placement assessments for alternative education placements and maintain H&S/Safeguarding documentation on our central system.
- Monitor and arrange mandatory health and safety training, including fire safety and first aid.
- Deliver health and safety inductions for new employees.
- Coordinate regular fire safety testing and emergency procedures.
- Arrange and record weekly fire alarm testing.
- Coordinate termly fire evacuation drills.
- Complete termly first aid kit checks, including monitoring allergy medication stock.
- Support the ordering of Science chemicals and provide required documentation to suppliers.
- Complete and record monthly defibrillator checks.
- Maintain Databridge records relating to health and safety events and compliance.
- Coordinate the issuing, cutting and signing-in/out of staff keys.
- Ensure staff complete required driver declarations and Expanse minibus training.
- Communicate relevant access and gate code changes to waste collection providers.
- Maintain food hygiene documentation and reports.
- Maintain pest control documentation and reports.
- Oversee asbestos management processes, including contractor sign-off and register requirements.
- Ensure visitor and speaker documentation is completed and appropriately recorded.
- Arrange and monitor cleaning audits with external providers.
Student and School Administration
- Coordinate student vaccination days and associated communications.
- Ensure accurate student information on Databridge, including emergency contacts and EHC documentation.
- Maintain and oversee the school admissions register.
- Coordinate student visits, school tours and initial visits for prospective students and families.
- Ensure administrative systems relating to students are maintained accurately and effectively.
- Produce and provide accurate student, attendance and school data reports to support school leaders, governors and external reporting requirements.
- Monitor data quality and identify trends or discrepancies, providing relevant information to support effective decision-making and school improvement.
NOTE TO APPLICANTS If you require any aids or adaptations to either our workplace or policies and practices that may assist or enable you to successfully carry out this role, please inform us. This job description is subject to annual review in accordance with the changing nature of students and institutional need.
The Personal Specification
Criteria
Essential/ Desirable
Source
Qualifications
Relevant professional qualification in business management, finance, HR, education administration or a related discipline.
Application
School Business Management Qualification
Application/Interview
GCSE Grade C/5 or above in English & Maths.
Application
Relevant safeguarding and safer recruitment training, or willingness to undertake this.
Application/Interview
Full UK Driving License
Application
Knowledge
Sound knowledge of school business management and the operational requirements of a school environment.
Interview
Knowledge of HR processes, including recruitment, safer recruitment, employee relations, absence management, performance management and staff wellbeing.
Interview
Knowledge of financial administration, purchasing, invoicing, budgeting and financial controls.
Interview
Understanding of health and safety responsibilities and compliance within a school environment.
Interview
Understanding of attendance monitoring and the importance of accurate student records and data.
Interview
Knowledge and understanding of data protection, confidentiality and the secure management of personal information.
Interview
Understanding of the importance of accurate record keeping, reporting and compliance.
Interview
Knowledge of MIS systems and their application in managing student and school data.
Interview
Awareness of the requirements associated with Ofsted inspections and external scrutiny.
Interview
Skills
Excellent organisational and administrative skills, with strong attention to detail.
Interview
Ability to manage a varied workload and prioritise effectively.
Interview
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Interview
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build positive working relationships with staff, students, families and external stakeholders.
Interview
Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and professionalism.
Interview
Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills
Interview
Ability to interpret data, identify trends and produce clear and accurate reports.
Interview
High level of accuracy when maintaining records and completing administrative processes.
Interview
Confident and competent IT skills, including the ability to use MIS, HR and other school management systems.
Interview
Ability to develop, implement and maintain effective systems and procedures.
Interview
Ability to work independently and use initiative while also contributing effectively as part of a Senior Leadership Team.
Interview
Ability to remain calm, organised and professional when working under pressure.
Interview
Strong commitment to safeguarding, equality, inclusion and the wellbeing of staff and students.
Interview
Flexible and proactive approach, with a willingness to respond to the changing needs of the school.
Interview
Ability to demonstrate professionalism, integrity and sound judgement at all times.
Interview
Experience
Experience of working in a business management, school administration, or similar operational management role.
Interview
Experience of managing and supporting staff, including line management responsibilities.
Interview
Experience of managing recruitment and safer recruitment processes.
Interview
Experience of maintaining accurate personnel records and confidential information.
Interview
Experience of financial administration, including purchase orders, invoices, budgets and financial reporting.
Interview
Experience of managing health and safety processes and compliance requirements.
Interview
Experience of monitoring and reporting attendance and student data.
Interview
Experience of using an MIS or similar database system to maintain accurate records and produce reports.
Interview
Experience of working with senior leaders, governors, external professionals, contractors and other stakeholders.
Interview
Experience of managing competing priorities and working effectively in a busy environment.
Interview
Experience of supporting inspections, audits or external reviews would be desirable.
Interview
Experience of working within a specialist education/SEND environment would be desirable.
Interview
Safer Recruitment
All successful candidates are subject to the following security checks.
o Verification of the applicant's identity (where that has not previously been verified)
o The receipt of two references (one of which must be from the applicant's most recent employer) which Expanse considers being satisfactory.
o Where the position amounts to "regulated activity” the receipt of an enhanced disclosure from the DBS which Expanse considers to be satisfactory.
o Where the position amounts to "regulated activity" confirmation that the applicant is not named on the Children's Barred List/Vulnerable Adult Barred List.
o Verification of the applicant's medical fitness for the role.
o Verification of the applicant's right to work in the UK.
o Prohibition from teaching checks
o Section 128 provisions check (prohibited from managing)
o Any further checks which are necessary as a result of the applicant having lived or worked outside of the UK; and
o Verification of professional qualifications which Expanse Group deems a requirement for the post, or which the applicant otherwise cites in support of their application (where they have not been previously verified).
o An online search will be completed as part of Expanse Learnings pre‑employment checks.
Checks
Note to Applicants :
Applicants must try to show in their application evidence of their ability to meet the requirement of the person specification. If you require any aids or adaptations ...
Expanse Learning Wigan School, Tyrer Avenue, Worsley Mesnes, Wigan, WN3 5XE
Department
Wigan School (ELWS)
Job Title
School Business Manager
Experience
Experience of working in a business management, school administration, or similar operational management role.
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