At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the school office, managing administration, finance, HR, and compliance.
- Company: Join Oakfield Lodge School, a supportive and inclusive educational environment.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days leave, health support, and a generous pension scheme.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team committed to continuous improvement and student success.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in education while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Organised, experienced in finance, and confident with ICT systems.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
About Us
Oakfield Lodge School is a 60-place secondary pupil referral unit providing short stay education for children aged 11-16 years. The school caters for students who are outside of mainstream education as a result of a permanent exclusion. Students are referred by the local authority education access officer from Cheshire East. We are a part of Manor Hall Academy Trust, which is an expanding Multi-Academy Trust, uniquely founded by a collaboration of special schools, united by a shared ethos, values, and collective aspirations. Guided by our commitment that Everyone Belongs, Learns and Grows, it truly is a special place to work. At the heart of our approach is mutual respect, where the exchange of best practice, expertise, support, and challenge thrives. We maintain high expectations across all aspects of our work, ensuring continuous growth and improvement.
Why Join Us
Joining Oakfield Lodge offers you the opportunity to be part of a forward-thinking and inclusive environment. Our collaborative and supportive culture, combined with a commitment to professional development, creates excellent opportunities for growth, learning, and making a meaningful contribution to the success of our school community.
About the Opportunity
We are seeking a highly organised, proactive, and experienced School Office Manager to play a pivotal role in the smooth and effective running of our school. This is a key leadership position within the support staff team, offering the opportunity to make a real impact across all non-teaching functions, including administration, finance, HR, compliance, and estates management. As School Office Manager, you will lead and develop a dedicated team of support staff, ensuring high-quality service delivery across the school. You will work closely with senior leaders and the governing body, providing essential administrative, organisational, and strategic support. Your role will be instrumental in shaping and improving systems, processes, and policies to enhance efficiency and compliance. This varied and rewarding position also includes responsibility for overseeing financial operations, managing budgets, ensuring HR compliance (including safeguarding and safer recruitment requirements), and maintaining key records such as the Single Central Record. You will play a central role in ensuring the school operates in line with statutory requirements while continuously seeking opportunities to improve and innovate. Alongside your operational responsibilities, you will contribute to the wider life and ethos of the school by supporting staff, engaging with stakeholders, and promoting a culture of collaboration, professionalism, and continuous improvement. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is passionate about supporting education through strong organisational leadership.
We are looking for someone who is:
- Organised, methodical and attentive to detail
- Experienced in finance and administrative processes
- Confident with ICT systems
- Proactive and able to take responsibility
- Skilled in managing confidential information
- A supportive team member
- Customer-focused, with a friendly, professional and respectful approach when dealing with staff, pupils, families and external stakeholders
- Adaptable and open to change
- An effective communicator, able to provide clear information, guidance and support to others
- Committed to high standards, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and consistent quality across all administrative, finance and HR tasks
- Motivated to work in a school environment
We can offer:
- 25 days annual leave plus 2 additional Trust Discretionary days, plus bank holidays (pro-rata), increasing with service
- Excellent working environment
- Generous local government pension scheme
- Tech & Cycle to Work Schemes
- Health and wellbeing support including 'Think Well', fast track counselling service & Physiotherapy
- Eye-sight testing
- Retail discounts in supermarkets, high street shops, restaurants and days out
Guaranteed Interview Scheme
As a ‘Disability Confident’ employer, we are committed to ensuring disabled candidates are included in our recruitment process. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria of the role, we will invite you to interview. Please let us know if you are eligible for this scheme at the application stage.
Safeguarding and Child Welfare
Manor Hall Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment. Child safety recruitment procedures operate, and appointment is subject to satisfactory references, enhanced DBS, qualifications check and all other relevant employment checks. Please also note that if you are shortlisted for the role, we may conduct an online search as part of our due diligence on shortlisted candidates.
School Office Manager in Crewe employer: Oakfield Lodge School
Oakfield Lodge School is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive environment where every team member can thrive. With a strong commitment to professional development, generous benefits including a local government pension scheme, and a focus on employee wellbeing, we empower our staff to make a meaningful impact in the lives of our students. Join us in fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement, where your contributions are valued and celebrated.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land School Office Manager in Crewe
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the school! Research Oakfield Lodge and its values. Understanding their ethos will help you connect during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their community.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former staff members on LinkedIn. They can provide insider tips and might even put in a good word for you, which could give you an edge in the hiring process.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to school administration and finance. Think about how your experience aligns with their needs, and be ready to share specific examples of your past successes.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email reiterating your enthusiasm for the role can leave a lasting impression and shows that you’re proactive and professional.
We think you need these skills to ace School Office Manager in Crewe
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Organisational Skills:As a School Office Manager, being organised is key! Make sure your application highlights your ability to manage multiple tasks and keep everything running smoothly. Use examples from your past experiences to showcase how you've kept things in order.
Be Proactive in Your Approach:We love candidates who take initiative! In your written application, mention times when you’ve gone above and beyond to solve problems or improve processes. This will show us that you're ready to take responsibility and make a real impact.
Communicate Clearly:Effective communication is crucial in this role. Ensure your application is clear and concise, and don’t hesitate to demonstrate your ability to provide guidance and support. A well-structured application reflects your communication skills!
Tailor Your Application:Make your application stand out by tailoring it to our school’s ethos and values. Show us how your experience aligns with our commitment to inclusivity and continuous improvement. Remember, we want to see how you can contribute to our community!
How to prepare for a job interview at Oakfield Lodge School
✨Know the School's Ethos
Before your interview, take some time to understand Oakfield Lodge School's ethos and values. Familiarise yourself with their commitment to inclusivity and mutual respect. This will help you align your answers with their mission and demonstrate that you're a good fit for their culture.
✨Showcase Your Organisational Skills
As a School Office Manager, being organised is key. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully managed multiple tasks or projects. Highlight how your methodical approach has led to improved efficiency or compliance in previous roles.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle confidential information. Think of specific situations where you've had to make tough decisions or manage sensitive data, and be ready to discuss how you approached these challenges.
✨Engage with the Interviewers
During the interview, don't just answer questions—engage with your interviewers. Ask insightful questions about the school's operations, team dynamics, and future goals. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you gauge if the school is the right fit for you.
