At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the School’s Leadership Team with essential administrative tasks and ensure smooth operations.
- Company: Join a vibrant school community dedicated to excellence in education.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, pension scheme, and fee remission for staff children.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and opportunities for professional development.
- Why this job: Be at the heart of school life, making a real difference every day.
- Qualifications: Experience in office administration and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 22985 - 28731 € per year.
Overview
Join to apply for the School Office Administrator role at Newton Prep. The School Office Administrator will provide comprehensive administrative and secretarial support to members of the School’s Leadership Team (SLT) and other staff with senior leadership responsibilities. They will report to the School Office Manager as part of the Administrative Support Team and work to ensure the smooth operation of the Main School Administrative team.
The successful candidate will join a high-performing team, possess a can-do attitude, be an excellent communicator with strong organisational skills, and be able to manage a range of tasks and competing priorities. Start date: January 2026 (or as soon thereafter).
Main Duties & Responsibilities
- Adapt and be flexible to the demands of the Main School Administrative Team; provide outstanding, efficient and helpful administrative support to senior staff.
- Work with other members of the School Office Team, led by the Office Manager, to support senior staff.
- Provide reception cover as required when the receptionist is unavailable.
- Provide clerical/administrative support to senior staff with management responsibilities.
- Take accurate minutes of meetings (e.g., Heads of Year meetings, whole school staff meetings, pastoral staff meetings).
- Maintain manual and computerised pastoral records (e.g., CPOMS, MIS Pastoral Records, rewards and sanctions databases).
- Attend School events and assist with preparations (Open Days, Senior Schools Fairs, Sports Days, Carol Concerts).
- Coordinate with stakeholders to ensure the termly calendar is produced in good time.
- Collate and format information for the Head’s termly report to the School Council.
- Route enquiries from parents, guardians or colleagues to the appropriate senior staff member.
- Proofread and send emails and texts to parents as directed by SLT.
- Prepare and record information for Lower and Upper School weekly absence reporting; prepare weekly cover spreadsheets for upcoming staff absences.
- Prepare and send safeguarding letters for pupils leaving/joining, and update central registers.
- Take initiative to perform ad hoc secretarial duties as required.
- Support Room and Parents’ Evening booking systems and Parents’ Evening setup; support Co-curricular activities (SOCS).
- Assist with organisation of school photographs and vaccinations; assist on the day as needed.
- Assist with revision and exam photocopying and standardised assessment administration.
- Provide additional administrative support to other departments during busy periods.
- Attend courses to develop professional skills; work safely and in accordance with school health and safety policies.
- Follow School staff policy documents and guidelines; foster professional relationships within the School team.
Person Specification
The School Office Administrator should have:
Knowledge & Experience
- Significant office administration experience, preferably in a school or educational setting.
- Experience in a busy, service-driven environment.
- Experience working with senior colleagues to create collaborative relationships.
- Competent user of Microsoft Teams and Google Apps (Docs, Sheets, Forms); working knowledge of MS Access, CPOMS, Microsoft 365 and Teams is desirable.
General Skills
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Strong IT skills (including Excel) and experience with Management Information Systems; training provided for the School’s MIS.
- Ability to build trusted relationships with senior colleagues and work both independently and as part of a team; proactive and planned approach to work.
- Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines; able to work under pressure and be flexible.
Summary of Terms & Conditions
- Period of employment: Permanent, Full-time (Term Time Only + 5 days). Precise timings of the 5 days during school holidays to be agreed with SLT.
- Salary: Pro-rated range £22,985 - £28,731 per annum (Full-time equivalent £28,000 - £35,000). Salaries paid by BACS on the last working day of each month in twelve equal payments.
- Working Hours: 37.5 hours/week. 8:30 am – 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday (Term Time Only) with a one-hour lunch break. Some evenings/weekends may be required for meetings/events.
- Probation: Six months, with potential extension at the School’s discretion.
- Notice: After probation, two months’ notice in years 1–4; after year 4, one additional week per year up to 12 weeks after 12 years.
- Pension: Group Personal Pension Scheme; auto-enrolment with employer contribution of 10% (subject to employee minimum 4.8%). Opt-out available.
- Fee remission: Up to 50% on Newton Prep school fees (subject to admission criteria; not contractual and subject to change).
- The full candidate brief is available on our website.
Application
The closing date for applications is 8am on Monday, 3 November 2025. Applications are by form only. Download the Application Form from our website and email to HR Assistant at hrassistant@newtonprep.co.uk or post to Newton Prep, 149 Battersea Park Road, London, SW8 4BX. For queries, contact the HR Department on 0207 720 4091 Ext 1255.
Formal interviews will be held in the week of 17 November 2025; the School reserves the right to interview/appoint earlier. Early submission is encouraged.
We are an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.
School Office Administrator employer: Newton Prep
Newton Prep is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment where the School Office Administrator will thrive at the heart of our vibrant community. With a strong focus on professional development, employees benefit from ongoing training opportunities and a generous pension scheme, alongside a fee remission for staff children attending the school. Our commitment to fostering a positive work culture ensures that every team member feels valued and empowered to contribute to the school's mission.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land School Office Administrator
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at the school, and ask them about their experiences. This can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the school’s values and recent achievements. Show us that you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team and how you can contribute to their mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! As a School Office Administrator, you'll need to be an excellent communicator. Try mock interviews with friends or family to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and show us that you’re keen on the role. Plus, it keeps you on their radar!
We think you need these skills to ace School Office Administrator
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role of School Office Administrator. We want to see how you can contribute to our team at Newton Prep!
Show Off Your Communication Skills:Since this role involves a lot of communication, be sure to showcase your verbal and written communication skills in your application. Use clear and concise language to demonstrate your ability to convey information effectively.
Highlight Your Organisational Skills:As an Office Administrator, you'll need to juggle multiple tasks. Share examples from your past experiences that show how you've successfully managed competing priorities and stayed organised under pressure.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. Make sure to submit your application before the deadline on 3 November 2025, as we review applications as they come in!
How to prepare for a job interview at Newton Prep
✨Know Your Role Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a School Office Administrator. Familiarise yourself with the key tasks mentioned in the job description, like managing registers and providing administrative support to senior staff. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Show Off Your Organisational Skills
Since this role requires excellent organisational skills, be prepared to discuss specific examples from your past experience where you've successfully managed multiple tasks or priorities. Think about times when you had to adapt quickly to changing demands and how you handled them.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
As an administrator, you'll need to communicate effectively with various stakeholders. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently during the interview. You might even want to prepare a few questions to ask the interviewers about their communication styles or team dynamics.
✨Demonstrate Your 'Can-Do' Attitude
The school is looking for someone with a positive, proactive approach. Be ready to share examples of how you've tackled challenges in the past and how you can contribute to creating a supportive environment. Highlight your willingness to take initiative and go the extra mile for the team.
