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- Tasks: Join our Junior School team to provide essential admin support and keep everything running smoothly.
- Company: George Watson’s College, a leading educational institution in Edinburgh.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, pension scheme, reduced school fees, and fitness club membership.
- Why this job: Make a difference in students' lives while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in administration and customer service, with strong Excel and iSAMS skills.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional growth and a vibrant school community.
The predicted salary is between 24460 - 27296 £ per year.
Location: George Watson’s College, Edinburgh
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £24,460 - £27,296 (based on 36.25 hours per week, 52 weeks per year)
Benefits: Automatic enrolment in the contributory support staff defined contribution pension scheme, reduced school fees at George Watson’s College for children of staff, Membership of the Galleon Club (the school’s fitness club).
The Role:
We are looking for a highly skilled and personable colleague to join our front-line administration team in the Junior School. The job holder will provide administration support, particularly to the Deputy Heads and staff of Lower Primary, with a focus on maintaining school data within several management information systems/databases. Candidates must be experienced iSAMS users who are highly skilled in the use of Excel and data maintenance and analysis work.
Hours of work will be 37 hours per week, Monday to Thursday, 8.00am to 4.00pm, Fridays 8.00am to 3.30pm, 46 weeks per year (36 weeks of term time plus professional learning days and a further two weeks during holiday periods). The annual leave entitlement is seven weeks per year making a total of 46 weeks.
Main Responsibilities:
- Administration Responsibilities: Provide administrative support to the Deputy Heads, Principal Teachers and Assistant Principal Teachers. Tasks may include diary management, arranging meetings, preparing timetables, processing assessment details, organising trips, events, and meetings, producing spreadsheets, reports, typing minutes, photocopying, filing, and producing printed materials.
- Daily, process pupil absence information, check registers, record known absences, identify potentially missing children, report to Deputy Head and phone parents as required.
- Prepare reports and send emails on behalf of Deputy Heads and other staff, preparing letters for parents.
- Assist with preparation for school trips, including booking venues/accommodation/transport, sending information to parents, collating permission slips, and ensuring risk assessment forms are completed.
- Negotiate pricing with external platform providers and make recommendations to JS management for agreement.
- Place orders for teaching materials or stationery and check order against delivery.
- Provide cover to other administrators across the whole school, as required.
- Ensure compliance with General Data Protection Regulations when handling personal data.
Reception Responsibilities: Provide a first-class Reception service, welcoming visitors and responding to telephone and email enquiries. Ensure the safety and security of the Junior School at all times.
Database Administration: Setting up all data structures needed for the school to operate effectively. Provides technical support and guidance on core data systems to Junior School colleagues.
Data Maintenance: Ensures the school management information systems are kept up to date with pupil information.
Testing: Work closely with Deputy Head to organise the testing programme, maintain stock control, and assist teachers with entering scores/grades.
Report Production: Creation of reports from the management information systems and interim and end of session reports for parents.
The Ideal Candidate: Demonstrable previous experience of working in a busy, customer-facing reception and administration focused role. Excellent telephone manner, strong interpersonal and written/oral communication skills. Experience of using iSAMS and excellent Excel skills. Good understanding of providing excellent customer service. Smart, professional appearance. Awareness of School policies and procedures, particularly in relation to child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection.
About the school/organisation: George Watson's College provides a world-class education for children and young people from Preschool to Senior 6. Our school encourages pupils to develop a love of learning through an inspiring curriculum and an extensive enrichment programme. We offer a wide range of extra-curricular programmes and opportunities for international travel, supported by digital technology that enhances learning.
Administrator (Junior School) employer: George Watson'S College
Contact Detail:
George Watson'S College Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Administrator (Junior School)
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the school! Research George Watson’s College and its values. When you walk into that interview, show us you understand our culture and what we stand for. It’ll make you stand out as a candidate who truly cares.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Prepare for common interview questions related to administration and customer service. We want to see how you handle pressure and your problem-solving skills, so think of examples from your past experiences.
✨Tip Number 3
Dress to impress! First impressions matter, especially in a school environment. Make sure you look smart and professional when you come in for your interview. It shows us you’re serious about the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows us you’re polite and genuinely interested in the position. Plus, it keeps you fresh in our minds as we make our decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Administrator (Junior School)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself: When writing your application letter, let your personality shine through! We want to know who you are beyond your qualifications. Share your experiences and what makes you a great fit for our Junior School team.
Tailor Your Letter: Make sure to customise your application letter for this role. Highlight your experience with iSAMS and Excel, and how these skills will help us maintain our school data effectively. Show us you understand the job!
Keep It Concise: Remember, you've got a limit of 800 words, so make every word count! Be clear and to the point while still providing enough detail about your skills and experiences that relate to the role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re tech-savvy, which is a bonus for this position!
How to prepare for a job interview at George Watson'S College
✨Know Your iSAMS Inside Out
Since this role requires experience with iSAMS, make sure you brush up on your knowledge of the system. Familiarise yourself with its features and functionalities, and be ready to discuss how you've used it in previous roles. If possible, prepare examples of how you've managed data or solved issues using iSAMS.
✨Excel Skills Are Key
Given the emphasis on Excel skills in the job description, practice creating spreadsheets, using formulas, and generating pivot tables. Bring along a few examples of reports or analyses you've done in the past to showcase your abilities. This will demonstrate your competence and confidence in handling data.
✨Showcase Your Customer Service Skills
As the first point of contact for the school, your ability to provide excellent customer service is crucial. Prepare to share specific examples of how you've handled challenging situations with parents or visitors in previous roles. Highlight your communication skills and friendly approach to ensure you leave a positive impression.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and how you handle pressure. Think about situations where you've had to juggle multiple tasks or deal with unexpected challenges. Practising your responses will help you articulate your thought process clearly during the interview.
