Office Administrator in Surrey

Location: Farnham, Surrey, GU9 8DY

Salary: Pay scale WA5-14 to WA5-20 (FTE: £27,224pa to £31,341pa) (Actual: £10,674pa – £12,289pa)

Vacancy Type: Part Time: 16 hours per week over 2-3 days, Term Time + 1 week (40 weeks) Flexible Hours (30 mins unpaid lunchbreak)

We are a special school for secondary pupils from Years 7 to 11 who have learning and additional needs. We are now looking for an experienced, confident, patient and efficient Office Administrator to join our warm and friendly team. Applicants will require a confident and friendly manner, be a team player, have the ability to work to deadlines and remain calm under pressure. Applicants must be able to work autonomously or as part of a team. Excellent IT skills and strong interpersonal skills are a must, as is a good sense of humour!

The successful candidate will enjoy working as part of this supportive team. They will be able to use their own initiative and work independently. Having experience in working within a school or busy office environment is advantageous.

Duties and responsibilities:

• Procurement of designated items such as furniture and equipment for the school. Administer the full purchasing cycle, including raising purchase orders, tracking deliveries, and resolving discrepancies.
• DSE (Display Screen Equipment) Assessor (training can be given) for the school, carrying out occasional DSE assessments and implementing corrective actions to promote safe and ergonomic working practices.
• Responsible for producing the fortnightly Eco Newsletter and for leading the Eco-committee, ensuring termly meetings are planned, recorded and actions completed.
• Oversee the school’s Eco‑Schools Green Flag process, ensuring all Green Flag criteria are met through effective action planning.
• Supporting the Operations Manager to co-ordinate fundraising, proactively communicate requests for funding to support the school’s development plan.
• Due diligence with safeguarding.
• Adhere to GDPR legislation in working practices.

Person Specification:

• Essential English and Maths at GCSE grade 4 or equivalent.
• Ability to use a range of IT applications; Microsoft Office – Word, Excel, Outlook, Google Documents, Publisher and Power Point.
• Adaptable to variation of tasks with moving priorities.
• Appropriate experience in administration.
• Eco-sustainability knowledge or enthusiastic to learn and help the students and school team make a difference.
• Proven track record of effective working within a team.
• Accurate written communication skills, including proof-reading.
• Handling sensitive and confidential information.
• Liaising with parents/carers with the ability to empathise and support.
• Ability to multi-task and prioritise workload.
• Excellent telephone manner.
• Communication skills to be excellent at all levels.
• Be able to manage own workload.
• Be able to work autonomously or as part of a team.
• Accurate data input.
• Work well under pressure.
• Proactive / ‘Can-Do’ approach.

Desirable:

• Schools systems e.g. Arbor, Inventry, Every (training can be given).
• Knowledge or enthusiasm to learn and use AI and keep up to date with innovative new approaches.
• Working in a school setting.
• Knowledge of HR.
• Knowledge of Special Educational Needs.
• Flare for design.
• Supportive.
• Used AI or willing to learn.
• Flexible working – Cover absences occasionally when needed.

To Apply: If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for The Abbey School, please click apply to be redirected to our website to complete your application.