Assistant Developer (maternity cover)

Assistant Developer (maternity cover)

Full-Time 31500 - 38500 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Assist in developing and maintaining the School's online systems and applications.
  • Company: Join a vibrant community at Westminster School, a leading independent school in London.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous pension scheme, and access to leisure facilities.
  • Other info: Dynamic workplace with excellent career growth opportunities and a strong sense of community.
  • Why this job: Gain hands-on experience in a supportive environment while making a real impact.
  • Qualifications: Experience in software development and a passion for collaboration.

The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.

Job Introduction

Required for: September 2026

Hours of work: 09:00 - 17:00, Monday to Friday with an hour unpaid lunchbreak

Contract: full-time, fixed-term until October 2027 to cover a maternity leave

Salary: £43,287.43 per annum

Benefits of working at Westminster School include:

  • Generous School pension scheme
  • Free access to the School's leisure facilities, including a fitness gym (restricted hours)
  • Cycle to Work Scheme and season ticket loans following completion of our standard probation period
  • Discretionary Christmas shutdown period
  • Private medical insurance (opt in)
  • Free school meals are also available when on-site during working hours for the role

For this role, there is no fixed closing date. Applications will be considered on receipt, and interviews may occur at any stage.

We are looking for an experienced and motivated Assistant Developer to assist in the maintenance and development of the School's online systems across Westminster School. This role will help the post holder to develop and build their existing skills in a supportive and collaborative environment.

Day-to-day

Supervised by the Senior Developer, you will:

  • Develop and maintain the School's Classic Management Information System
  • Work closely with the Helpdesk Manager to determine and respond to end-user requirements and devise and implement project plans
  • Develop and maintain internal systems (including Admissions, Visiting Music Teachers Billing System and Trip Management System)
  • Collate and maintain technical documentation as required

The role also works closely with the wider I.T. Department, Admissions Team and Music Department.

Further key responsibilities include:

Systems

  • Develop and maintain the School's core Management Information System (MIS)
  • Maintain an academic year planner, highlighting key dates related to our online systems (e.g. Admissions closure dates)
  • Maintain and enhance the Visiting Music Teachers (VMT's) Billing System and the Expeditions and Trip Management System
  • Collaborate in delivering end-user support for the School's MIS and related applications
  • Design and implement new applications integrated with the School's MIS to enhance usability

Helpdesk

  • Complete relevant tasks as appropriate or as directed by the Senior Database and Intranet Developer
  • Provide first-line and second-line user support
  • Respond to reported emergencies outside of office hours on a "best endeavour" basis (time off in lieu will be given)

Administration

  • Provide training and documentation to end-users as required
  • Maintain technical documentation relating to School Intranet and database systems
  • Provide administrative support to staff, such as data analysis, and other reports from school databases as required
  • Develop and maintain Admissions Systems for all entry points (11+, 13+ and 16+)
  • Maintain technical documentation related to the School intranet and database systems
  • Maintain code repositories in GitHub ensuring version control and compliance aligns with best practice
  • Provide administration support to staff such as data analysis, leavers/joiners data returns to the local authority and other reports from School databases as required

Miscellaneous

  • Advise the Software Engineering Lead regarding future technology options
  • Undertake other such duties as the Senior Database and Intranet Developer, Director of IT and/or Software Engineering Lead might reasonably require, including providing cover for other members of the IT Department

Equal Opportunities

We are an equal opportunities employer. We therefore encourage candidates to apply irrespective of age, disability, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion and belief, gender identity, sex or sexual orientation.

Safeguarding and Child Protection

Westminster School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Working at Westminster

Westminster School is a busy, purposeful and vibrant place to be and an excellent workplace. The community is made up of around 750 pupils, 120 teaching staff and 108 support staff. Our staff are friendly and welcoming, and all newcomers quickly become part of the rhythm of life here. There is a real sense of community here as, being a boarding school many members of staff and pupils live on site and the School's premises are very much treated as a home away from home. School life starts before breakfast and continues way beyond the working day; as a result, there is always a lively atmosphere in and around School and always someone to share a tea and biscuit with in the Common Room. Support staff as much as teaching staff are encouraged to embrace the School's day-to-day activities, whether that be attending an evening concert or a morning service in the Abbey. At Westminster we will always select the best candidate for every position. We do know, however, that we can only truly choose the best person on every occasion if a broad and diverse pool of candidates see the job advertised and are encouraged to apply. As such, we continue to work on how our job roles are encountered, and particularly welcome applications from groups who have traditionally been underrepresented here. Westminster School is for everyone, regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation or any other protected characteristic. We hope you are encouraged to apply.

The School

Westminster School is an independent day and boarding school for boys aged 13-18 and girls aged 16-18, with a long history, a distinctive ethos, and a unique sense of place in the very heart of London. Pupils achieve exceptional examination results and entrance to some of the top universities in the world. It is a busy, passionate and purposeful place where independent and deep thinking is enjoyed, encouraged and respected by all, and where holistic excellence is nurtured and valued. While the School is one of the foremost centres of academic excellence in the country, its commitment to academic life does not make it a hothouse for passing examinations. Pupils' success at examinations and entry to leading universities is instead a result of their enjoyment of academic enquiry, debate and search for explanation, well beyond published syllabuses. Pupils are intellectually, socially, ethically and politically engaged and our aim is to ensure that their enthusiasm for learning is developed further, allowing them to take full advantage of the opportunities presented to them in the future. At Westminster, pupils have the freedom to lead on projects outside of the classroom and embrace a whole range of extra-curricular activities and interests. A host of pupil-led societies take place every week at the School, often with expert guest speakers, and pupils can choose to study an additional language, play an instrument or two, volunteer in local primary schools, row along the Thames, take part in plays and musicals, and much more. The School's ethos resides in the enduring values of the liberal tradition reflected in the 1560 Charter of Westminster's Elizabethan foundation, where it is stated that: 'the youth which is growing to manhood, as tender shoots in the wood of our state, shall be liberally instructed in good books to the greater honour of the state'. Whilst academic and cultural attainments are highly prized at Westminster, the School is fully committed also to each pupil's spiritual, moral, emotional and physical development and wellbeing - with a particular emphasis on drawing out individual talent wherever it lies - and to prepare young people for fulfilled private and public lives.

Assistant Developer (maternity cover) employer: Westminster Opera Co.

Westminster Under School is an exceptional employer that prioritises the growth and well-being of its staff, offering a supportive work culture where collaboration with experienced professionals enhances your skills. Located in the vibrant city of London, this role provides unique opportunities for professional development, including training and safeguarding arrangements, ensuring you are well-equipped to make a meaningful impact on students' lives.

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Contact Details:

Westminster Opera Co. Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Assistant Developer (maternity cover)

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We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Developer (maternity cover)

Development of Management Information Systems (MIS)
Technical Documentation
User Support
Project Planning
Data Analysis
Collaboration
Version Control (GitHub)

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.

Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Westminster Opera Co..

Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Westminster Opera Co. and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!

Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!

How to prepare for a job interview at Westminster Opera Co.

Brush Up on Your Coding Skills

For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.

Know Your Tools and Frameworks

Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Westminster Opera Co. uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.

Showcase Your Projects

Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.

Prepare for Behavioural Questions

While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.