At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage and supervise the library, promoting a love for reading among students.
- Company: Join Harris Clapham, a community-focused school dedicated to student success.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives by fostering their academic and recreational reading.
- Qualifications: GCSEs in English and Maths, library experience, and strong communication skills.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth and collaboration in a vibrant school community.
The predicted salary is between 16090 - 27200 £ per year.
About Us
Harris Clapham exists to serve the communities of South London, taking young people from being not much more than children at the end of Year 11 to being ready to face the adult world with the qualifications, skills and character needed to face those challenges successfully. The key role for staff in this, as well as teaching the academic and vocational subjects students will be examined in, is modelling and encouraging the Clapham Character as we develop young people with the Courage to take on new challenges and to do the right thing even when it’s the hard thing, the Commitment to persevere through hard times and to support friends and classmates loyally, and the Confidence to use their voices to create a community that is welcoming to all.
Our teachers are subject experts with a passion to share their knowledge and skills of communication; our support staff are flexible and enthusiastic with specific expertise in their areas of responsibility; and our leaders are here to enable staff to do their jobs well and students to make that great step into adulthood.
Summary
We are looking for a full-time or part‑time library assistant and administrator to join our team at Harris Clapham Sixth Form to cover maternity leave from May 2026. The library is a beautiful space at the heart of our school and we are driven to spark a love of reading for pleasure in our students, as well as the study, research and library skills they will need at university. You will be passionate about supporting students in their academic and recreational reading. You will have the confidence and interpersonal skills to manage students using the library as a focused study space during the day and you will know or be quick to learn library management under the training of the Librarian.
The actual salary for this role will be £16,090.59-£27,200.69 (39 weeks per year, 22.5-37.5 hours per week).
Main Areas of Responsibility
- Promote and maintain the library as a silent, focused study space for large numbers of students.
- Ensuring that all learning resources equipment is well maintained, reporting faults promptly.
- Maintaining a professional, stimulating and tidy learning environment, including celebrating student achievements.
- Liaising with staff, students and leaders as part of the process of ensuring the library is well stocked.
- Timetabling the use of the library, for group (for example by teachers or sixth‑form groups) or individual use, ensuring optimum use of facilities.
- Providing guidance to groups and individuals using the library.
- Keeping appropriate and effective records.
- Disseminating information on resources and access to staff and students.
- Monitoring and evaluating use of the library, including procedures for collecting data.
- Being a strong role model for high quality written and spoken English.
- Working alongside the literacy lead to promote reading across the academy.
- Creating the weekly academy newsletter and putting news on the academy website.
Qualifications & Experience
We would like to hear from you if you have:
- GCSE English and Mathematics at C or above (or equivalent).
- Relevant education to A level (or equivalent).
- Good numeracy/literacy skills.
- Recent and relevant experience of library related work.
- Understanding of the importance of confidentiality.
- Knowledge of safeguarding procedures for young people.
- Understanding of the importance of students achieving their full potential.
- Excellent ICT skills, specifically Word and Excel, and a willingness to undertake training when required.
- Good keyboard skills.
- Ability to relate well to children and adults.
- Work constructively as part of a team, understanding of school roles and responsibilities and your own position within these.
- The ability to take initiative, manage own workload and work independently; as well as the ability to work as part of a team.
- Good communication (oral and written), organisation and time‑keeping skills.
- Excellent organisational and administration skills, with attention to detail.
Rewards & Benefits
Our people are at the heart of our success. We have developed a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of top‑quality training programmes delivered at every level. In addition to the opportunities for career development and progression, we also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package which includes our Harris Allowance for teachers on MPS/UPS, a Performance and Loyalty Bonus, Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions, a Wellbeing Cash Plan and many other benefits.
Safeguarding Notice
The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, references, an online search, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed.
Equal Opportunities
The Harris Federation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates. We value the diversity of our staff and students, and everyone at the Harris Federation is equally valued and respected. We aim to be an inclusive employer that reflects the communities we serve. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment.
Next Steps
If you have any questions about this opportunity, please send us an email, or call to arrange a conversation. Before applying, please download the Job Pack for full details on the job responsibilities and person specification. This will be helpful for you when completing your application, and throughout the recruitment process. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible as we may interview and offer to a candidate before the closing date. Please note that we only accept applications submitted before the closing date via our careers website.
Librarian and Administrative Assistant in City of London employer: Harris Clapham Sixth Form
Contact Detail:
Harris Clapham Sixth Form Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Librarian and Administrative Assistant in City of London
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the school culture! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Harris Clapham. Understand their values and how they support students. This will help you connect with the interviewers and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their community.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your communication skills! Since the role involves liaising with students and staff, it’s crucial to demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively. Try role-playing common scenarios you might face in the library to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for reading! Be ready to discuss your favourite books or authors and how you can inspire students to develop a love for reading. This will highlight your enthusiasm for the role and align with the school's mission.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a nice touch that shows your professionalism and keeps you fresh in their minds.
We think you need these skills to ace Librarian and Administrative Assistant in City of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Pack Thoroughly: Before you start writing your application, make sure to download and read the Job Pack. It’s packed with details about the role and what we’re looking for, which will help you tailor your application to fit our needs.
Show Your Passion for Reading: Since this role is all about supporting students in their reading journey, don’t hold back on sharing your love for books! Mention any relevant experiences or initiatives you've been part of that promote reading and literacy.
Highlight Your Organisational Skills: We need someone who can keep the library running smoothly, so be sure to showcase your organisational skills. Talk about any previous roles where you managed resources, timetables, or events, and how you kept everything in order.
Keep It Professional Yet Personal: While we want to see your personality shine through, remember to maintain a professional tone in your application. Use clear, concise language and check for any spelling or grammar mistakes before hitting send!
How to prepare for a job interview at Harris Clapham Sixth Form
✨Know the Role Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the job description. Familiarise yourself with the responsibilities of a library assistant and administrator, especially how to manage and organise the library space. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Show Your Passion for Reading
Since the role involves promoting a love of reading, be prepared to discuss your favourite books or authors and how they’ve influenced you. Share any experiences where you've encouraged others to read or helped students with their reading choices. This will demonstrate your enthusiasm and commitment to fostering a reading culture.
✨Demonstrate Your Interpersonal Skills
As you'll be interacting with students and staff, it's crucial to showcase your communication skills during the interview. Practice answering questions clearly and concisely, and think of examples where you've successfully worked as part of a team or managed conflicts. This will highlight your ability to relate well to both children and adults.
✨Prepare Questions to Ask
Interviews are a two-way street, so come prepared with thoughtful questions about the school’s approach to literacy or how they support their staff. This not only shows your interest in the position but also gives you valuable insights into the school's culture and values, helping you determine if it’s the right fit for you.