Operations Manager

What skills and experience we're looking for:

• Lead and line manage non-educational support staff, including recruitment, induction, appraisal, and performance management.
• Establish clear systems of accountability for support staff roles.
• Oversee the whole school’s administrative function and ensure efficient systems are in place to support teaching and learning.
• Maintain and develop administrative and financial ICT systems (e.g. MIS, asset management, data returns).
• Ensure statutory returns and information (e.g. DfE, LA, census) are completed accurately and on time.
• Coordinate the ‘moving up’ of classes and staff responsibilities annually on the MIS.
• Administer and manage all aspects of the employee lifecycle, including: Recruitment, onboarding, payroll, pensions, contracts, and leavers; DBS checks, medical clearances, and employment references; Review staff absences and follow up in line with policies.
• Ensure compliance with safer recruitment, equality, and safeguarding policies.
• Managing CPD bookings for all staff.
• Act as the school’s Health & Safety Coordinator.
• Implement and regularly review the school’s Health & Safety and Critical Incident Policies.
• Conduct regular risk assessments and ensure corrective actions are implemented.
• Ensure that all staff receive appropriate H&S training and guidance.
• Promote a culture of safety and wellbeing across the school.
• Administer and schedule school lettings.
• Promote use of the school’s facilities by the wider community.
• Monitor lettings contracts and ensure compliance with insurance and safeguarding requirements.
• Maximise revenue through effective management of community use.
• Attend Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and Governing Body/Sub-Committee meetings as requested, providing advice on personnel, premises, health & safety and operational matters.
• Support long-term planning of staffing, facilities, and resources to align with the School Improvement Plan.
• Assist the Headteacher in strategic decision-making through data analysis and reporting.
• Provide courteous reception and administrative support to the Headteacher, including: Handling calls, emails, and correspondence; Arranging hospitality for visitors; Filing and recordkeeping; Prioritising urgent matters.
• Work collaboratively with the administrative team to ensure smooth school operations.
• Support pupil data management (e.g., SIMS, filing paperwork).
• Provide high-quality reception service to parents and visitors.
• Respond to general enquiries by phone, email or in person.
• Maintain a tidy, efficient, and safe office environment.
• Support first aid/welfare procedures for unwell or injured children (as required).
• Follow all school safeguarding procedures, ensuring that all visitors are appropriately checked and recorded.
• Ensure the confidentiality and integrity of all school data.
• Administer DBS and pre-employment checks for new staff and volunteers.
• Assist with statutory and non-statutory returns and audits (e.g. Census, workforce return).

What the school offers its staff:

• A friendly, caring team who work collaboratively to support each other and our pupils.
• A strong commitment to staff wellbeing, including a positive work‑life balance and access to wellbeing support.
• High-quality professional development opportunities, including training, mentoring and career progression.
• Supportive leadership with an open‑door approach.
• Well‑resourced classrooms and a stimulating learning environment.
• Opportunities to contribute to whole‑school development and innovation.
• A culture of respect, inclusion and high expectations for all.

We are committed to investing in our staff and creating a workplace where everyone feels supported, motivated and proud to be part of our school community.

Commitment to safeguarding:

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): childcare disqualification, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), medical, online and social media prohibition from teaching, right to work, satisfactory references, suitability to work with children. You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.