At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead daily admin processes and support senior leaders in a busy school environment.
- Company: A high-performing secondary academy in Manchester with a strong pastoral structure.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, supportive leadership, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Join a collaborative team in a modern office with over 1,200 students.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a thriving school community while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in school administration and strong organisational skills required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
A well-established and high-performing secondary academy in Manchester is seeking a highly organised and professional Senior School Administrator to join its central office team. This is a key role within a busy 11–18 setting serving a diverse urban community, where the administrative function underpins the smooth running of the entire school. The school is known for its strong pastoral structure, improving outcomes and calm, purposeful learning environment. Behind that success sits a capable and efficient operations team — and this role is central to it.
The Role
As Senior School Administrator, you will act as a lead point of contact within the main office, overseeing daily administrative processes and supporting senior leaders, pastoral teams and teaching staff. Your responsibilities will include:
- Coordinating front-of-house operations and managing visitor protocols
- Supervising administrative assistants and allocating daily workloads
- Managing pupil records using MIS systems (SIMS or Arbor)
- Overseeing attendance reporting and supporting safeguarding documentation
- Preparing documentation for Ofsted, audits and governance meetings
- Liaising with parents regarding admissions, transfers and general enquiries
- Supporting SLT with calendar coordination and whole-school communications
You will be trusted to maintain confidentiality, handle sensitive information and ensure compliance with school policies and statutory requirements.
The School Environment
This large secondary academy serves over 1,200 students and benefits from modern facilities, structured pastoral systems and a clear leadership vision. The administrative team works collaboratively within a professional, fast-paced environment where efficiency and accuracy are highly valued. The school invests in training and development for support staff and offers a stable, supportive culture with strong leadership presence.
About You
- Previous experience in a school administrative role
- Confident user of school MIS systems
- Strong organisational and multitasking skills
- Professional communication skills with staff, parents and external agencies
- Ability to work calmly under pressure in a busy office setting
Experience in attendance, safeguarding documentation or admissions processes would be advantageous.
What’s on Offer
- Competitive salary aligned to experience
- Supportive leadership and structured CPD
- Modern office environment within a well-managed academy
- Opportunity to contribute meaningfully to a thriving school community
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced school administrator ready to take on additional responsibility in a respected Manchester secondary setting.
Senior School Administrator – Large Secondary Academy – Manchester employer: Marchant Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Marchant Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior School Administrator – Large Secondary Academy – Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former staff at the academy on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info about the school culture and maybe even a referral!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the school's values and recent achievements. We want to show that we’re not just interested in the role, but also in contributing to their mission and community.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice common interview questions related to school administration. Think about how our experience with MIS systems and multitasking can shine through in our answers.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after the interview with a thank-you email. It’s a great way to reiterate our enthusiasm for the role and keep us fresh in their minds!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior School Administrator – Large Secondary Academy – Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Senior School Administrator role. Highlight your previous school administrative experience and any relevant MIS systems you've used, like SIMS or Arbor.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for our academy. Mention your organisational skills and how you can contribute to our supportive culture and efficient operations team.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since you'll be liaising with parents and staff, it's crucial to demonstrate your professional communication skills. Use clear and concise language in your application to show us you can handle sensitive information with care.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates about the process!
How to prepare for a job interview at Marchant Recruitment
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re familiar with the school’s ethos and values. Research their recent achievements and challenges, especially in areas like attendance and safeguarding. This will show that you’re genuinely interested in the role and understand the environment you'll be working in.
✨Showcase Your Skills
Prepare specific examples from your previous experience that highlight your organisational and multitasking skills. Think about times when you’ve successfully managed multiple tasks or improved administrative processes. This will help demonstrate your capability to handle the busy office setting.
✨Practice Professional Communication
Since you’ll be liaising with parents and staff, practice clear and professional communication. You might want to role-play common scenarios, such as handling enquiries or discussing sensitive information, to ensure you come across as confident and approachable.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions to ask at the end of your interview. Inquire about the school’s approach to supporting its administrative team or how they handle challenges in the office. This shows your enthusiasm for the role and helps you gauge if it’s the right fit for you.