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- Tasks: Support the Senior Deputy Head with administrative tasks and event coordination.
- Company: Join Portsmouth Grammar School, a leading co-educational institution in historic Portsmouth.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, term-time work, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Enjoy working with young people and contribute to a vibrant school community.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in a dynamic school environment while supporting senior leadership.
- Qualifications: Experience in a similar role, strong communication skills, and a proactive attitude.
Location: Portsmouth
Salary: £22,709 (pro-rated salary based on FTE salary of £28,386 per annum)
Job type: Permanent, Full Time, Term Time plus one week
Closing Date: Midday on 1st June
The Portsmouth Grammar School is a leading co-educational school located in the heart of historic Portsmouth. We are seeking a proactive, experienced PA to support our Senior Deputy Head.
The Role
Our PA to the Senior Deputy Head is responsible for providing proactive, comprehensive and confidential administrative and organisational support to our Senior Deputy Head. The successful candidate will have experience of a similar role within a professional environment supporting at a senior level. This is a full time, term time role plus one week during school holidays. The hours of work are 37.5 per week, Monday to Friday, and the standard work pattern is 8am to 4pm with an unpaid 30 minutes for lunch. This is a busy and varied role, and a flexible approach is essential to be able to support a dynamic workload with an occasional requirement to work outside of normal hours, during busy times or for occasional meetings or events.
Main Responsibilities
- To provide strategic and administrative support to ensure the smooth and efficient running of the Senior Deputy Head’s Office
- To administer detentions and academic supervisions on behalf of the Senior Deputy Head
- To manage incoming and outgoing correspondence and maintain accurate records
- To implement effective information management processes
- To prepare documents, reports, newsletters and presentation materials, as required, within agreed timescales
- Event coordination to include monitoring and oversight for school event planning, approvals and assist in organising events such as parent talks, information evenings
- To work in accordance with GDPR legislation and the School’s Data Protection Policy
- To maintain confidentiality and work with sensitivity in all aspects of work
- To work collaboratively with other members of the School Office Team
- To undertake all necessary training required by the school, to include safeguarding and manual handling
- To ensure the safeguarding of pupils
The Ideal Candidate
- A good standard of education with excellent spoken and written English
- Experience of a similar role within a professional environment supporting at senior level
- Positive, solutions focused attitude and a commitment to delivering work to a high standard
- A proactive and organised approach to work, with strong planning skills and the ability to prioritise tasks independently
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a diplomatic, discreet and professional manner
- Flexibility, adaptability and calmness under pressure, with the ability to respond effectively to changing priorities and the unpredictable nature of school life
- Capacity to maintain a high workload, balancing multiple tasks and competing deadlines effectively
- Strong IT proficiency, including confident use of Microsoft Office, desktop publishing software, databases and management information systems
- A sound understanding of data protection requirements, including UK GDPR
- A willingness to ‘pitch in’ when needed, demonstrating a professional, unflappable and approachable demeanour
- Good numerical skills to be able to work confidently with statistical data
- An enjoyment of working with children and young people, and a willingness to participate fully in school life
- High levels of personal integrity, honesty, enthusiasm and resilience together with a commitment to maintaining confidentiality
- Willingness to undertake all necessary safeguarding and other staff training
To Apply
If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for Portsmouth Grammar School, please click apply to be redirected to our website to complete your application. The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
PA to the Senior Deputy Head in Portsmouth employer: The Portsmouth Grammar school
Contact Detail:
The Portsmouth Grammar school Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land PA to the Senior Deputy Head in Portsmouth
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in education or admin roles. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the school and its values. Show us you’re genuinely interested in supporting the Senior Deputy Head and the school community.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions. We want to see how you handle pressure and prioritise tasks, so be ready to share examples from your past experience.
✨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 you’re keen on the role.
We think you need these skills to ace PA to the Senior Deputy Head in Portsmouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of PA to the Senior Deputy Head. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Show Off Your Skills: Don’t hold back on showcasing your organisational and communication skills. We want to see how you can manage a busy workload and support our Senior Deputy Head effectively, so give us examples of when you've done this before!
Be Professional and Personable: Remember, this role is all about supporting others while maintaining confidentiality. Strike a balance in your application between professionalism and a friendly tone to reflect the kind of person we want on our team.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently, so don’t miss out on this opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Portsmouth Grammar school
✨Know Your Role Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a PA to the Senior Deputy Head. Familiarise yourself with the job description and think about how your previous experience aligns with the tasks mentioned, like managing correspondence and event coordination.
✨Showcase Your Organisational Skills
During the interview, be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully managed multiple tasks or projects in the past. Highlight your planning skills and how you prioritise effectively, especially in a busy environment like a school.
✨Demonstrate Discretion and Professionalism
Since confidentiality is key in this role, prepare to talk about situations where you've had to handle sensitive information. Emphasise your understanding of GDPR and data protection, showing that you can maintain professionalism in all aspects of your work.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your ability to adapt to changing priorities. Think of examples where you've had to remain calm under pressure or respond to unexpected challenges, as this will demonstrate your flexibility and problem-solving skills.