Headteacher's Personal Assistant (PA)
Ilkley Grammar School
Headteacher’s Personal Assistant (PA)
Scale Pay Point 20 (Range 20-24)
Actual Annual Salary: £22,157.58 - £24,608.70 (All Year-Round Equivalent: £26,037.11 - £28,285.86)
Pattern of hours will be 30.5 hours each week
Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 8.15am-2.30pm and Tuesdays, 9.15am-5.15pm
Term time only plus 2 days
Join a leading school which prides itself on the high quality of education, enrichment and care provided to all and is committed to the wellbeing of students and staff.
We are looking for an exceptional and highly organised PA to join our skilled and dedicated team of associate staff, providing professional and confidential support to the Headteacher and members of the Leadership Team. The position has arisen due to the imminent retirement of the current postholder and provides a fantastic opportunity to work in our “amazing” school, judged by Ofsted as Outstanding in all areas, and be part of the wider school community.
The Headteacher’s PA will provide high-level administrative and organisational support, managing the Headteacher’s diary, scheduling meetings, and ensuring timely preparation for all commitments. Acting as the first point of contact, the PA will handle confidential correspondence, screen and respond to enquiries with professionalism and discretion, and produce key school documents, reports, and communications.The role also includes coordinating and minuting meetings, designing and creating marketing materials, organising high-profile school events, and supporting the Leadership Team with administrative tasks. Additionally, the PA will coordinate and produce staff and parent/carer bulletins, proofread and refine documentation, maintain efficient filing systems, and liaise with key stakeholders to support the smooth operation of the school.
The successful candidate will have exceptional organisational, communication, and problem-solving skills, along with administrative efficiency and accuracy. They will possess excellent secretarial skills, a strong command of the English language (including accurate spelling, punctuation, and grammar), and expertise with the Microsoft suite of applications, including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Publisher.Substantial experience in a similar role and the ability to maintain very high professional standards, including confidentiality and discretion, are essential. Additionally, strong interpersonal skills, warmth, emotional intelligence, and the ability to remain calm, self-assured, and composed in all situations are crucial for success in this role.
If you have the experience, knowledge and skills to succeed, then we would like to hear from you.
Ilkley Grammar School is an outstanding, vibrant 11-18 comprehensive, with over a 400-year tradition of serving the local community. We are committed to Personal Best as reflected in our Vision and Values:
“Our vision at Ilkley Grammar School is to provide a world-class, inclusive education and exceptional opportunities which will enrich us both individually and collectively as a community. We will inspire, support and challenge each other to achieve our Personal Best so that we all grow in wisdom and stature.By modelling our Personal Best values and championing equality and diversity, we will make a positive difference to our own lives and the lives of others and will be empowered to lead and influence positive change on a local, regional, national and global scale.”
We are a fantastic learning community, set in one of Yorkshire’s most scenic areas, whose facilities will soon be transformed with a multi-million-pound capital investment from the DfE’s School Rebuilding Programme. Our graded Ofsted inspection of December 2024 once again confirmed us Outstanding in all areas of inspection with inspectors concluding that “Ilkley Grammar School is an amazing school,” where “every pupil gets a chance to shine” and is supported “to fulfil their potential”.Praised for the exceptional quality of education, “fully inclusive” ethos, and “rich curriculum” that ensures “excellent, sustained outcomes,” the school was also celebrated for its “shining” sixth form, “exemplary personal development,” and provision of a “calm environment” where students “flourish” through outstanding support, pastoral care, behaviour, and opportunities.
We are proud to be the founding school of Moorlands Learning Trust and a member of the Red Kite Teaching School Alliance with a firm commitment to school-to-school support and developing highly effective collaborative practices.
We are looking for:
- a professional with substantial experience in a similar higher-level administrative or secretarial role
- meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy in all aspects of work
- advanced IT proficiency, particularly in Microsoft Office applications
- strong creative and design skills to create visually engaging and professional materials e.g. bulletins, banners, prospectus, displays and marketing materials
- experience and expertise in planning and coordinating high-profile events
- the ability to handle sensitive information with absolute confidentiality and professionalism
- a proactive and adaptable approach, capable of managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
- excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a strong command of spelling, punctuation, and grammar
- strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build positive relationships and work effectively with a range of stakeholders
- a genuine commitment and passion for working in a school environment with secondary school learners
In return for your commitment, we can offer:
- “a culture where everyone feels valued and supported to develop” (Ofsted 2024)
- the opportunity to make a real difference
- students who “enjoy their lessons”, “behave exceptionally well” and “show respect for each other”
- personalised CPD with a strong commitment to professional growth
- an inspiring and enthusiastic team of colleagues across the teaching and associate staff
- a very calm and orderly school with high expectations and an ethos of trust and care
- a supportive leadership team who “provide strong personal and professional care”
- a location on the edge of Ilkley Moor in beautiful Wharfedale which was judged byhe Sunday Times as the best place to live in the country in 2022. Ilkley continues to be listed as one of the best places to live and was recently ranked in the top 5 of the prettiest towns in the country
- excellent transport links to Leeds and Bradford
Provisional interview date: Week commencing w/c 24th February 2025
Ilkley Grammar School is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to the protection and safeguarding of children and young people in our recruitment procedures and in all our work across and beyond school. The school adheres to statutory guidelines in respect to safe recruitment.All persons employed by the school, in any capacity, will undergo an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, and confirmation of employment is subject to a successful outcome. All teaching staff members recruited by the school have their eligibility to teach checked with the DfE.