At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the Head of School by managing a busy diary and coordinating key events.
- Company: Join the award-winning Oxford High School, a leader in girls' education.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, professional development, free lunches, and discounts for children’s fees.
- Other info: Term-time role with additional weeks during holidays; excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Be a vital part of a vibrant school community and make a real difference.
- Qualifications: Experience as an EA/PA or senior administrator in a busy environment is essential.
The predicted salary is between 39400 - 44800 £ per year.
Hours: Full-time, Term Time Only + 4 weeks in the holidays.
Salary: Pro rata salary £39,400 to £44,800 pa.
This is an exciting opportunity for a highly experienced EA, PA, Office Manager or senior Administrator who is confident operating in a busy, people-facing environment to play a key role supporting the Head of Oxford High School.
As Executive Assistant to the Head, you will play a central role in the smooth running of the Head’s office and the wider school. You will manage a busy and complex diary, coordinate meetings, correspondence, briefings, visits and follow-up actions, and act as a trusted first point of contact for pupils, parents, staff, governors, alumnae and external partners. Much of the role is about anticipating what is needed, protecting the Head’s time and ensuring that communication from the Head’s office is warm, professional, timely and well judged.
You will also take responsibility for key operational and governance processes that help the school run effectively. This will include leading the planning of the school calendar, coordinating major meetings and events, supporting admissions, HR, bursary and compliance administration, maintaining confidential records, and acting as Clerk to the Governors.
This is a term time only role, with 4 additional weeks to be worked during school holidays as required and especially at exam results times.
About you
You will be a highly organised and proactive EA/PA or senior administrator, with experience of supporting leaders in a busy, complex environment. Calm under pressure and confident managing competing priorities, you will bring excellent diary, calendar and administrative skills, strong communication, sound judgement and absolute respect for confidentiality.
You will be comfortable working with senior leaders, governors, staff, pupils, parents and external contacts, and ideally have experience in a busy school or similarly service-driven setting. With strong ICT skills, attention to detail and experience organising meetings and events, you will be motivated by playing a trusted, central role in the smooth running of school life.
About Oxford High School
Since its foundation 150 years ago in the heart of Oxford’s historic city centre, Oxford High School has been innovative and pioneering in its approach to girls’ education. Today, Oxford High School is a happy and vibrant place to work. As well as our commitment to girls’ education, we are committed to investing in our staff’s personal development through training and learning initiatives and via the Girls’ Day School Trust network. We are proud to have recently received the Independent Girls’ School of the Year Award for 2023 and have been shortlisted for the TES School Awards Prep School of the Year 2024.
As part of the Girls’ Day School Trust, the leading and largest group of independent girls’ schools in the UK, we offer a variety of benefits, which include:
- Competitive salaries and pay progression
- Access to extensive professional development opportunities
- Training grants for qualifications
- Free life assurance benefit
- Free school lunches
- A discount of up to 50% on fees for children at GDST schools
- Interest free loans for training, computer purchase loans and travel season ticket loans
- A Cycle to Work scheme
- Competitive terms and conditions of employment
For further details and to apply please click the apply button. The closing date for applications is 23.59 on Sunday 14 June 2026. Interviews will take place on 22 and 24 June 2026. We encourage early applications and reserve the right to interview candidates as applications are received; please note that the vacancy may close early if a suitable candidate is found.
Oxford High School and the GDST are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including online checks, checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Senior EA to Head of School (Term-Time) in Oxford employer: Oxford High School GDST
Oxford High School is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant and supportive work environment dedicated to the personal and professional development of its staff. With competitive salaries, extensive training opportunities, and a strong commitment to girls' education, employees can thrive in a dynamic setting while enjoying benefits such as free school lunches and discounts on fees for children at GDST schools. Located in the historic heart of Oxford, this role provides a unique chance to contribute to a pioneering institution recognised for its excellence in education.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior EA to Head of School (Term-Time) in Oxford
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the school! Research Oxford High School and its values. This will help you tailor your conversations 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 about the school culture and what the Head of School might be looking for in an EA.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Prepare a brief introduction about yourself that highlights your experience and skills relevant to the role. This will help you make a strong first impression when you meet the interviewers.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Oxford High School.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior EA to Head of School (Term-Time) in Oxford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Senior EA. Highlight your experience in managing busy diaries, coordinating meetings, and supporting senior leaders. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role at Oxford High School. Share specific examples of how you've successfully managed competing priorities and maintained confidentiality in previous roles.
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since you'll be the first point of contact for various stakeholders, it's crucial to demonstrate your strong communication skills. Make sure your application reflects your ability to communicate warmly and professionally, just like we do at StudySmarter.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smooth application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and keep track of everything. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Oxford High School GDST
✨Know the Role Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Senior EA to the Head of School. Familiarise yourself with managing complex diaries, coordinating meetings, and supporting various operational processes. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Organisational Skills
During the interview, be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully managed competing priorities in a busy environment. Highlight your experience in diary management and event coordination, as these are crucial for this position. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
✨Demonstrate Strong Communication Abilities
As the first point of contact for various stakeholders, effective communication is key. Prepare to discuss how you've maintained professionalism and warmth in your interactions. You might even want to role-play a scenario where you handle a tricky situation with a parent or staff member to showcase your skills.
✨Emphasise Confidentiality and Discretion
Given the nature of the role, it's essential to convey your respect for confidentiality. Be prepared to discuss situations where you've had to handle sensitive information and how you ensured it remained confidential. This will reassure the interviewers that you can be trusted with important matters.
