Administrator (Payroll and Leadership Support)

Swanshurst is a large, outstanding school for girls aged 11-19 years. We offer excellent support and CPD for staff at all stages of their career. Ofsted (May 2024) described our school to be “an exceptional place for pupils to learn”. They described the curriculum as “exemplary” and one which "explodes into life in the classroom". In relation to staff wellbeing, they noted that “The school is conscious of staff workload and well-being and is committed to achieving excellence in a sustainable way.” We are exceptionally proud to have been judged ‘Outstanding’ in two consecutive inspections. Ofsted (2024) judged Swanshurst to be Outstanding for a second time. Our Ofsted report can be found here. The school is part of the newly formed West Midlands Academy Trust (WMAT) which opened in January 2025. As one of the three founding members, the school has been integral to forming the Trust’s mission: Relentless focus upon delivering an excellent Quality of Education, resulting in strong progress and attainment for all groups of pupils. Emphasis upon personal development and well-being for staff and pupils. Why Join Us? - Be part of a school that is committed to excellence and innovation. - Work in a supportive and inclusive environment that values diversity and promotes equality. - Benefit from opportunities for professional development and career progression. - Join our school as we embark on an exciting journey with our newly formed Multi Academy Trust - West Midlands Academy Trust. Swanshurst School is seeking to appoint a highly organised, reliable and professional Administrator (Payroll & Leadership Support) to join our dedicated support staff team. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced administrator to support the efficient operation of the school through payroll administration and high-quality administrative support to Associate Headteachers and the Senior Leadership Team. The successful candidate will assist with payroll administration processes, maintaining accurate and confidential records, preparing routine payroll information, communicating with payroll providers and ensuring records are maintained in accordance with school procedures and data protection requirements. The role also includes providing administrative support to Associate Headteachers and other designated staff, including arranging meetings, preparing documentation, managing correspondence, maintaining records and providing support for meetings where required. The successful applicant will possess excellent organisational and communication skills, strong attention to detail and the ability to work accurately within agreed procedures and deadlines. They will be confident using Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word, Excel, Outlook and Teams. Experience of payroll administration and school systems is desirable, and training will be provided where required. We offer excellent professional development opportunities, supportive leadership and the opportunity to work within a successful and inclusive school community. What you will need to succeed GCSE English and Mathematics (Grade 4/C or equivalent) or above. Experience of working in an administrative role within a busy office environment. Excellent organisational skills and the ability to prioritise competing demands. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to work accurately and maintain attention to detail. Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information appropriately. Competence in Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, Outlook and Teams. Ability to work independently whilst recognising when to seek advice and guidance. Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. What you will get in return Professional development opportunities and ongoing training. A competitive salary. Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme. Access to a range of employee benefits and wellbeing support. The opportunity to work within a successful, supportive and ambitious school community. WMAT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020 which means that when applying for certain jobs and activities certain spent convictions and cautions are ‘protected’ so they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. Safeguarding is our top priority. We encourage all applicants to review our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy which outlines our commitment to the safety and wellbeing of students. The successful applicant will be subject to all necessary pre-employment checks including enhanced DBS, Prohibition Check, qualifications (where applicable), medical fitness, identify and right to work. This post is covered by Part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016). Therefore, the ability to speak fluent and spoken English is an essential requirement for this role. To comply with Keeping Children Safe in Education, we will seek and scrutinise references prior to interviews. Referees will be contacted to provide further clarification if needed. All information provided by referees will be compared for consistency against the information disclosed in your application form, and you will be asked about any discrepancies at interview. Short listed candidates - an online search will also be carried out as part of due diligence on all short-listed candidates.