Applicant Information Pack
School Secretary - Berkhamsted Prep
A Foreword from our Principal and Chief People Officer About Berkhamsted Prep
Berkhamsted Prep School is part of a supportive, family community which fosters a strong sense of belonging. Each pupil is treated as an individual and our child-centred approach to education ensures they develop a natural curiosity and thirst for learning. Pupils benefit immensely from being part of a school that is recognised as providing a high quality educational experience for its pupils; where they achieve their best because of their extremely positive and ‘ can do’ attitude to school.
Highly skilled and passionate teachers inspire our pupils through a rich and varied curriculum and an array of extra-curricular activities
There are currently 338 pupils at Berkhamsted Prep School (aged 7-11)
Part of the Berkhamsted Schools Group
Berkhamsted Prep School is one of six schools that make up Berkhamsted Schools Group Berkhamsted School is one of the country’s leading independent schools. It has a structure that provides the best in both co-educational and single-sex education, offering small class sizes and appropriate teaching environments for each age group, from age 3 to 18.
The School’s ‘diamond’ structure allows boys and girls to be taught together until the age of 11 (at Berkhamsted Pre-Prep and at Berkhamsted Prep), separately from 11-16 (Berkhamsted Boys and Berkhamsted Girls), before coming back together again in a joint Sixth Form (Berkhamsted Sixth)
Berkhamsted Prep pupils are provided with the opportunity of progressing to the Girls and Boys Senior Schools by sitting the Berkhamsted entrance exam a week prior to the external applicants.
Job Description
Hours of Work:
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Full-time, term time only
Reporting to:
Headteacher, Berkhamsted Prep School
Purpose:
To be responsible for the provision of an efficient administrative and secretarial support function for the school and maintain systems to facilitate effective school management.
The School Office is the focal point for dealing with the great variety of day-to-day administrative and clerical matters that are necessary for the effective and efficient running of the School. It is required to deal with teachers, pupils, parents, prospective parents, suppliers, contractors and visitors of all sorts. It is the first point of contact that outsiders will have with the school. It is therefore important that the support staff who operate this busy and important office work closely together as a team and that each is flexible, co-operative and prepared to help with the duties of the other when necessary and ensure that the School’s good reputation is maintained at all times.
Job Description
Administrative:
To manage and oversee the Prep School diary in liaison with SMT and the Prep School Administrative team.
Hoursofwork:830am-5pmMondaytoFriday,allyearround
To manage financial administration for the Prep School to include but not exclusive to; invoicing relevant parties, pupil charging sheets for clubs, events, pupil resources such as backpacks and swimbags.
To liaise with the Finance Department as needed regards Prep School finances.
To coordinate and manage BlueRunners for Prep School events.
To coordinate and manage the administration of the extra-curricular clubs, to include but not exclusive to; liaising with staff including external providers, coordination of the allocation of clubs, room bookings, creating and managing registers.
To coordinate and manage school transport for all Prep School trips, including the management of trip information.
To undertake other administrative duties where necessary in order to facilitate the smooth running of the Prep School, such as Parents’ Learning Review Meetings.
To ensure that all school information data is current and up to date, such as; Staff lists, pupil lists, registers.
Communication:
To write and coordinate written communication and information to parents.
To act as a point of contact for parents.
To undertake reception duties and deal with general enquiries from visitors, parents and staff dealing with all their enquiries/needs in a timely professional manner.
Make sure to use Gills Sans FontJob Description
General:
To provide administrative and secretarial support to the Headteacher, Deputy heads and Prep Staff when needed.
Hoursofwork:830am-5pmMondaytoFriday,allyearround
To have an up to date and knowledgeable understanding of all BSG management information systems.
To manage and lead on any reasonable request where required, to assist with the smooth running of the office and/or Prep School.
To meet and understand the confidential nature of the school as set out in BSG policies and uphold confidentiality at all times.
To actively participate in professional development to maintain up to date knowledge and understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the job.
Person specification:
Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate confidently with parents, pupils and colleagues
Team player, with a desire and aptitude to produce work to a high standard
Excellent IT skills
Flexible and pro-active approach. Willing to attend school events outside normal school hours
Friendly and efficient telephone manner
Strong attention to detail
Excellent time management and an ability to work under pressure and to deadlines
Make sure to use Gills Sans FontBenefits
Benefits
We boast a competitive salary structure, alongside other benefits, which includes access to a comprehensive pension scheme.
The wellbeing of our staff is a priority. We have a developed programme for staff with initiatives and support in the areas of Economic, Physical, Emotional and Social wellbeing.
Free classes and advisory services. memberships and discounted rates in local establishments, together with cycle to work scheme, free on-site parking, free daily lunch, and fee reduction for staff's children are examples of some of the non-contractual benefits on offer in this programme.
Watch our video
Safeguarding and Child Protection
Watch our video and hear from our colleagues why they enjoy working at the Berkhamsted Schools Group Find out more about what it is really like to be a member of the community
Benefits
Safeguarding and Protection
Berkhamsted is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and visitors to adopt a child centred and coordinated approach to child protection and safeguarding.
A copy of the School’s Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy can be found HERE
The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and visitors to adopt a child centred and coordinated approach to child protection and safeguarding. Berkhamsted Schools Group is a registered charity dedicated to education: 310630.
Safeguarding and Child Protection
Application and Next Steps
The closing date for applications is 27 October 2023
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It is an offence to apply for this role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children; applicants must be willing to undertake a number of safeguarding checks including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring (DBS) This post is also subject to receipt of written references which must be satisfactory to Berkhamsted Schools Group along with documentary evidence of qualifications.
Successful applicants will need to provide confirmation of permission to work in the UK Please note that under the Immigration Asylum and Nationality Act 2006, the school has an obligation to ensure applicants have the right to work in the UK prior to commencement of employment. (If it is found that those documents do not meet the legal requirement, an offer of employment will be withdrawn).
Where the successful candidate has worked or been a resident overseas in the previous five years, such checks and confirmations as the school may require in accordance with statutory guidance.
We aim to be an equal opportunities employer and we are determined to ensure that no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of gender, age, disability, religion, belief, sexual orientation, marital status, or race.
Candidates with a disability who are invited to interview should inform the School of any necessary reasonable adjustments or arrangements to assist them in attending the interview.
If you have any questions relating to this role please contact the HR department at recruitment@berkhamsted.com
Early applications are encouraged, and interviews may take place on a rolling basis. We reserve the right to extend or close the deadline.
