applicant pack - northowram...
TRANSCRIPT
Applicant Pack
for the two separate posts of
School Business Manager
and
School Administrator
both of which require to be filled as soon as possible
September 2017
Inspiring Success Beyond Expectation
Northowram Primary School
Address: Baxter Lane, Northowram, Halifax HX3 7EF
Telephone: 01422 202704 Website: http://northowram.calderdale.sch.uk
‘Northowram is led by an inspirational team comprising the
headteacher and deputy headteacher, who together provide a
‘tour de force’ in their drive to develop innovative teaching’
Post 1 – School Business Manager PO1 – 4 (£29,323 - £31,601) pro rata
17 hours a week over 2.5 days term time plus 5 days
Post 2 – School Administrator Scale 4 (£18,070 - £20,138) pro rata
22.5 hours per week term time plus 4 days
Both positions are permanent and require to be filled as soon as possible
Northowram Primary School is a family working together to develop and celebrate
children’s skills, knowledge, interests and talents so that every child achieves success
About us:
We are a successful and thriving larger than an average primary school with around 470 pupils on roll aged 3 – 11 years.
We are proud to have been recognised by Ofsted as ‘Outstanding’ in our last inspection in July 2016. Both governance
and leadership have been praised for their respective skills and knowledge in helping to secure the best outcomes for our
pupils.
The roles:
Due to staffing changes at the beginning of the academic year (September 2017) we are now recruiting two highly
motivated and proficient individuals to work part time to support the business and administration functions in our school.
Post 1 – School Business Manager – we are looking for a suitably experienced individual to join our management team
by job sharing with our current business manager who is reducing her commitment to part time. The successful applicant
will have sound financial acumen and effective management skills in other key areas of responsibility (as detailed in the
job description) within a busy and fast-paced working environment.
Post 2 – School Administrator – the postholder will provide an efficient and comprehensive service to the school in
terms of administrative and secretarial support. The role covers a full range of administrative functions to assist the
school business manager(s) in operating consistent and well organised procedures and processes.
For each of these posts the successful candidate must have:
• previous experience in a similar role (as detailed in the person specification)
• strong IT skills with the capacity to operate software packages effectively and efficiently
• excellent organisational and communication skills with a positive approach to teamwork
and once appointed will enjoy:
• working in an environment with a culture of positive employee engagement
• a collaborative team approach with every encouragement for professional development
• the positive support of an experienced and well informed governing body
If you would like to know more about either of these roles (and our school itself) please contact Karen O’Kane (business
manager) on 01422 202704 (ext 516) or email: [email protected]
Visits to the school are warmly welcomed and can be arranged either by telephoning school reception on 01422 202704
or by email to: [email protected]
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all staff and volunteers to share this
commitment. The successful applicant will be required to undertake pre-employment checks including references from
previous employers, confirmation of right to work in UK and a DBS check.
For further information, please download our application pack. This can be found on either the school website:
northowram.calderdale.sch.uk or on either: www.calderdale.gov.uk or www.educatehr.co.uk
Please return your application form via email (in Word format) to: [email protected]
Timeline: Application closing date: 26 September 2017 (noon) Assessment/Interviews: 9 October 2017
Introduction
These part time appointments offer excellent
opportunities to join a recently judged ‘outstanding’
school. We strive to enable our children to achieve the
highest levels of academic success as well as
preparing them to become responsible citizens.
We currently have two key positions available in our
support service functions relating to business
management and administration functions.
The role of School Business Manager is to support the
other members of the senior leadership team in
managing finances, human resources and all other
operational aspects of the school.
The role of School Administrator is to be responsible for
providing general administrative and secretarial support
service to senior leaders.
A key aspect of both roles is the requirement for
attention to detail as well as proficient use of software
packages.
We offer you a great working environment, a team of
enthusiastic staff, supportive governors and promotion
of opportunities for professional development.
The School
Northowram is a larger than average (2-form entry)
community primary school (age range 3 -11) with 470
pupils on roll.
We are a large community of children and adults, from
pupils to parents and carers, from staff to volunteers
and members of the Governing board and we all work
together to secure the best outcomes for the families
that we serve.
This is how Ofsted in 2016 described leadership and
management, and governance:
‘As a result of strong leadership at all levels, all staff are
guided by the school’s vision to ‘inspire success beyond
expectation’. Time in lessons is used exceptionally well
so that the focus on learning is relentless. Pupils’
understanding of what they are learning is very well
developed and pupils are motivated to continually
improve.’
‘Governors are robust and persistent in their challenge
to school leaders. They are fully focused on ensuring
that any changes will have a positive impact on pupils’
learning and earnest that pupils have opportunities to
develop a broad range of skills that will enrich and equip
them for life.’
As part of the application process visits to school are warmly welcomed.
If you wish to make an appointment please contact the school office on 01422 202704.
The following dates are available: Monday 18 September at 1 pm
Wednesday 20 September at 11 am
Thursday 21 September at 4 pm
Our Results
Our pupils make good progress and attainment is very high. Children reach standards that are above the national average. Ofsted’s School Data Dashboard shows the most recent summaries of our end of Key Stage 1 and end of Key Stage 2 data. High expectations and great enthusiasm for learning is reflected in our extremely high results. Department for Education Performance Tables provide detailed analysis of Northowram’s performance against a variety of measures.
Our Vision Northowram Primary School is a family working together to develop and celebrate children’s skills, knowledge, interest and talents so that every child achieves success. We value the uniqueness of every child and encourage each one to take pride in the personal success they experience whilst at our school. We enable children to think for themselves and expect that their actions reflect their belief in love, respect, truth and honesty. Together we share responsibility for all that affects those within our family. In our school, we live positively and work happily together to achieve the highest levels of academic success as well as preparing our children to become responsible citizens.
Subject Specialisms
In order to teach the skills and knowledge of the National Curriculum in the best way possible we now operate
a system in Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6 where the children are taught the foundation subjects by a subject
specialist
The Text Based Unit
All of our English work is based around class texts and books. Depending on the needs of the children and
the objectives that need to be covered, teachers select high quality books around which they base reading
and writing experiences. This enables children to become immersed in the book and allows deeper learning
and better outcomes
The Curriculum
At Northowram we continually work on curriculum development in order to ensure that it is of the highest
quality and meets the needs of all learners. In order to achieve this, we have two distinctive features of
provision which operate effectively: these are ‘Subject Specialisms’ and ‘The Text Based Unit’
Phonics
At Northowram Primary School, we have a
structured programme to teach children to read
and write the sounds and letters in the English
language. Every day in Foundation Stage and
KS1, children have an opportunity to build up
their phonic knowledge.
Safer recruitment practice aims to minimise the risk of appointing an individual who is unsuitable to work in a post
where they will be in contact with children or vulnerable adults and could cause them harm. Northowram Primary
School is fully committed to the principles of safer recruitment.
Our selection processes observe best practice in selecting the appropriate candidate by ensuring equality of
opportunity for all applicants whilst excluding any who may be unsuitable to work with our children. All candidates
are expected to understand their own duties and responsibilities in regard to child protection and safeguarding
with due relevance to the specific post advertised.
The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) helps employers to make safer recruitment decisions and to prevent
unsuitable people from working with vulnerable groups, including children. It is a criminal offence to offer to a
barred individual (or indeed for such a person to apply for, or to accept an offer of) employment in certain
designated posts (those which involve working with children in what is defined as regulated activity).
Accordingly, some or all (depending on the precise role) of the following steps will be taken as part of the
recruitment processes:
• Confirmation of identity by sight of original official documents (Birth Certificate, Passport etc)
• Confirmation of professional qualifications (those required to fulfil the post) by sight of original
documentation
• Full scrutiny of employment history with clarification to be sought (from candidate or referees as
appropriate) in the event of identified gaps or discrepancies
• Satisfactory references - a minimum of two written references (one of which must be from most recent
employer) will be taken up prior to interview
• The identity of all referees must be open to verification
• Undertake the relevant checks required of the Disqualification (including Disqualification by Association)
requirements relating to childcare under the ‘Childcare (Disqualification) Regulations 2009’.
In accordance with DBS regulations all candidates for relevant posts are required to provide details of any
relevant unspent convictions. Additionally, for those posts involving “regulated activity”, all 'spent' convictions
must be disclosed under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
A DBS check will be requested for appointments to all relevant posts and for those involved in ‘regulated activity’’
this will include an additional check of the Children’s Barred List.
Any conditional offer of appointment will be made subject to receipt of all required documentation (as specified)
and satisfactory verification of all checks as above.
Safer Recruitment
School Business Manager (shared role)
Job Description
Prime Objectives of the Post
The School Business Manager assists the Headteacher in his duty to ensure the school meets its educational
aims including responsibility for financial resource management/administration /office management information
and ICT/human resource management.
The postholder is responsible for providing professional leadership and management of office staff to enhance
their effectiveness in order to achieve improved standards of learning and achievement in the school and
ensuring the effective use of resources in support of the school’s learning objectives.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Leadership and Strategy
Attend Senior Management and appropriate Governors’ sub-committee meetings
Plan and manage change in accordance with the school development plan
Lead and manage school office staff
Financial Resource Management
Evaluate information and consult with the Senior Team and Governors to prepare a realistic and balanced
budget for school activity
Submit the proposed budget to the Headteacher and Governors for approval and assist in the overall financial
planning process
Discuss, negotiate and agree the final budget
Use the agreed budget to actively monitor and control performance to achieve value for money
Identify and inform the Headteacher and Governors of the causes of any significant variance and take prompt
corrective action
Propose revisions to the budget if necessary, in response to significant or unforeseen development
Provide ongoing budgetary information to relevant people
Advise the Headteacher and Governors if fraudulent activities are suspected or uncovered
Maintain a strategic financial plan that will indicate the trends and requirements of the school development plan
and will forecast future year budgets
Seek and make use of specialist financial expertise
Maximise income through lettings
Select types of investment which are appropriate for the school, taking due account of risks and views of
stakeholders, and identify possible and suitable providers in order to maximise return
Present timely and fully costed proposals and recommendations
Put formal finance agreements in place with suitable providers for agreed amounts at agreed times and ensure
that all costs and repayment schedules remain fit for purpose
Monitor the effectiveness and implementation of agreements
Administration Management
Manage the whole school administrative function and lead office staff
Design and maintain administrative systems that deliver outcomes based on the school ’s aims and goals
Manage systems and link processes that interact across the school to form complete systems
Define responsibilities, information and support for staff and other stakeholders
Develop process measures that are affordable and that will enable value for money decisions for those managing resources
Establish and use effective methods to review and improve administrative systems
Use data analysis, evaluation and reporting systems to maximum effect by ensuring systems are streamlined to maximise
efficiency and avoid duplication
Benchmark systems and information to assess trends and make appropriate recommendations
Prepare information for publications and returns for the DfES, LEA and other agencies and stakeholders within statutory
guidelines
Office Administration & ICT Management
Consider approaches for existing use and future plans to introduce or discard technology in the school
Consult with relevant parties to introduce new technology or improve existing technology for different purposes
Ensure that the school has a strategy for using technology aligned to the overall vision and plans for the school ensuring
value for money
Communicate relevant strategy and policies, including Data Protection, for use of technology across the school
Establish systems to monitor and report on the performance of technology within the school
Ensure resources, support and training are provided to enable work colleagues to make the best use of ICT
Ensure contingency plans are in place in the case of technology failure
Ensure data collection systems providing information to stakeholders are streamlined to maximise efficiency of data supplied
Facility and Property Management Manage, with the Buildings Manager, the letting of school premises to external organisations for the development of extended
services and local community requirements
Seek professional advice on insurance and advise the Headteacher on appropriate insurances for the school and implement
and manage such schemes accordingly
Human Resource Management
Undertake administration duties for all staff in connection with personnel changes/amendments (including payroll)
Maintain and monitor staff sickness and absence records for all staff
Manage recruitment, performance management, appraisal and development records for office staff
Create, maintain and update confidential HR records for all staff
Complete return to work meetings for staff throughout school
Arrange for attendance management meetings when required (and take notes at such meetings)
Seek and make use of specialist expertise in relation to HR issues
Support school leaders with disciplinary/managing allegations etc
Provide help and advice to staff and external parties, as and when required, in relation to personnel matters
Organise recruitment processes, from review to appointment, for staff vacancies in line with recruitment and safeguarding
procedures
Ensure the school’s HR policies are clearly communicated to all staff in school
Ensure that staff have a clear understanding of the policies and procedures and the importance of putting them into practice
Monitor the way policies and procedures are actioned and provide support where necessary
Identify the skills, knowledge, understanding and experience required to undertake existing and future planned activities
School Business Manager (shared role)
Job Description (continued)
School Administrator
Job Description
Prime objectives of the post Under the direction of the school business manager the post holder will be responsible for the general administrative and secretarial service in providing an efficient and organised support function to the school
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Administration
To provide an efficient and effective general administrative support and secretarial service to the school, including administering school clubs and trips
To input menus onto school ‘Parentmail’ system and collate data responses from parents
To collate attendance and school meal registers and undertake liaison with colleagues (kitchen and teaching staff) to ensure a seamless service
To undertake IT based tasks as required, using Microsoft Word, Excel and Publisher
To cover reception duties as appropriate, ensuring visitors are dealt with in a courteous and professional manner
To keep abreast of technological developments that impact on the operation of the administrative service within their remit
To liaise with the website administrator to ensure information on the school website is accurate and up to date
To co-ordinate the content for school newsletters, reports, questionnaires etc and ensure their distribution
To monitor and prepare orders for stationery/resources ensuring appropriate stock control
To deal with telephone queries and general enquiries
Data Management
To ensure the maintenance and updating of SIMS.net and inputting of accurate data on the system, to promote reports, certificates, letters etc
To maintain manual and computerised records/management information systems including SIMS system, Abacus, Pupil Tracker, e-mail and reprographics
To ensure the updating and maintenance of the ‘Parentmail’ system
To be responsible for the completion of accurate statistical returns eg DfE and LA
To compile data as appropriate to support staff in discharging their duties
To be responsible for preparing and maintaining the manual and computerised pupil data records relating to pupil transfers, admissions and leavers and the school waiting list
General
To comply with all relevant health and safety, operational, personnel, child protection, data protection, and other relevant policies and procedures
To attend and participate in meetings as required
To contribute to the overall work/ethos and aims of the school
To engage in any CPD activities appropriate to the role
To undertake any other professional duties as required by their line manager
To establish their fitness to carry out the duties of the role(s) being advertised, candidates must be able to provide evidence of a range of relevant competencies. Candidates for each position must address the criteria outlined in the person specification relating to the particular role for which they are applying, giving examples where appropriate. Legend: E - Essential D - Desirable I - How identified Identification: A - Application Form I - Interview E - Exercise R - Reference
Completing the Application
KS2 Teacher
Person Specification
School Business Manager (shared role)
Person Specification
Qualifications and training E D I
School Business Management qualifications (CSBM, DSBM) ✓ A
Professional development activities undertaken within last 2 years ✓ A
Vocational/NVQ qualification at level 4 or equivalent ✓ A
Degree level qualification in a related subject or equivalent eg accountancy ✓ A
Experience E D I
Proven track record in developing and maintaining financial systems and procedures ✓ A/I/R
Experience in analysing data and preparing reports for senior management ✓ A/I/R
Experience of risk assessments, health and safety and traded services ✓ A/I/R
Experience of successful budget management (including tracking performance) ✓ A/I/R
Experience of managing the performance of staff ✓ A/I/R
Knowledge and skills E D I
Excellent oral, interpersonal, organisational, communication and problem solving skills ✓ A/I/E
Ability to effectively use a range of Microsoft IT packages eg word, excel, access, publisher etc ✓ A/I/E
A solid knowledge of legal requirements eg finance, health and safety etc ✓ A/I/E
Ability to negotiate and monitor contracts ✓ A/I/E
Ability to develop and maintain professional relationships with individuals (internal/external) ✓ A/I/R
An understanding of school sector finances, resources and management information systems
(eg SIMS)
✓ A/I/R
Initiative/circumstances E D I
Ability to self-motivate and understand the importance of confidentiality ✓ A/I/R
Proven effectiveness in decision-making and ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines ✓ A/I/R
Ability to work flexibly ✓ A/I/R
Willingness to constructively challenge the work of self and others to continually improve own and team performance ✓ A/I/R
Awareness and commitment to the principles of safeguarding children in school ✓ A/i/R
School Administrator
Person Specification
Qualifications and training E D I
GCSE English and Maths or equivalent Grade A to C or equivalent ✓ A
OCR/RSA Minimum level 2/3 in text or word processing or equivalent ✓ A
Relevant minimum NVQ 2 eg in Business Administration ✓ A
Experience E D I
2 years’ experience of working in an administration/secretarial function in a school environment ✓ A/I/R
Experience of managing own resources ✓ A/I/R
Experience of using ICT effectively within the work place ✓ A/I/R
Experience of effectively using management information systems ✓ A/I/R
Experience of using SIMS ✓ A/I/R
Experience of working on a school electronic communications system such as Parentmail (e.g. e-mail/text to parents) ✓ A/I/R
Experience of successfully working in a team ✓ A/I/R
Experience of working and having direct involvement with pupils and parents in an educational institution
✓ A/I/R
Knowledge and skills E D I
Excellent oral and interpersonal, organisational and communication skills ✓ A/I/E
Advanced skills in using Microsoft applications ie word, excel and publisher ✓ A/I/E
Ability to maintain a well organised working environment ✓ A/I/R
Ability to develop and maintain professional relationships with individuals (internal/external) ✓ A/I/R
Successful development and monitoring of administrative procedures and processes and data management ✓ A/I/R
Able to work under pressure ✓ A/I/R
Awareness and commitment to the principles of safeguarding children in school ✓ A/I/R
Initiative E D I
Ability to self-motivate and understand the importance of confidentiality ✓ A/I/R
Ability to prioritise workload ✓ A/I/R
Circumstances E D I
Ability to work flexibly ✓ A/I/R
Commitment to training as required ✓ A/I/R
Time Line
Completed application forms should be returned no later than:
26 September 2017 at 12 noon
Interviews/Assessments to be held on:
9 October 2017
Post 1 School Business Manager (SBM)
Post 2 School Administrator (SA)
How to Apply
Please complete the application form provided for each post, ensuring that the ‘POST REF’ is clearly marked either SBM or SA dependent upon which post is being applied for
Your supporting statement should be no longer than 2 sides of A4 and minimum font size Arial 11 (or equivalent) and should address the selection criteria detailed in the person specification for that post
Please note that covering letters and other extraneous material will not be accepted as part of the application
Please return your completed application (in Word) via email to: [email protected] (for the attention of Gill Meeson)