School Secretary

About SOC Independent School

SOC Independent School provides a supportive and personalised learning environment for young people who require an alternative pathway to mainstream education.

We work closely with students, parents and carers, local authorities, commissioning schools and external professionals to help learners re-engage with education and achieve positive academic, personal and social outcomes.

About The Role

The School Secretary will provide the administrative coordination that keeps the school organised, responsive and compliant.

You will often be the first point of contact for students, parents, carers and external professionals. You will guide families through the admissions and induction process, maintain accurate student information and ensure that important communication reaches the right people.

The role will also coordinate the administration of internal and external examinations, working with teaching staff, awarding bodies, commissioning schools and invigilators to ensure that students are properly entered, supported and prepared.

This position requires more than general office administration. The successful candidate will need to understand that students joining the school may have experienced disruption to their education and that families may require clear, patient and sensitive support throughout their time with the school.

What You'll Be Doing

• Act as a professional and welcoming first point of contact for students, parents, carers, visitors and external professionals
• Coordinate student referrals and admissions, collecting the required educational, safeguarding, SEND, medical and contact information before a placement begins
• Arrange student induction meetings, assessments, start dates and introductory visits with families, school staff and referring organisations
• Ensure that student files are complete, accurate and securely maintained, including consent forms, emergency contacts, previous school information and relevant support documentation
• Maintain the school's management information system and update student enrolment, attendance, timetable and personal information
• Communicate regularly with parents and carers regarding inductions, attendance, meetings, examinations, school activities and general enquiries
• Liaise with local authorities, commissioning schools and other professionals regarding referrals, placements, student information and ongoing administrative requirements
• Provide administrative support for attendance monitoring, following up unexplained absence and escalating concerns in line with school procedures
• Coordinate meetings, prepare documentation, take minutes where required and ensure agreed actions are recorded and followed up
• Support the Headteacher and wider school team with correspondence, reports, calendars, filing, purchasing and day-to-day school administration
• Coordinate examination entries, registrations, timetables, candidate information and examination arrangements with awarding bodies and partner schools
• Ensure examinations are planned and administered in accordance with awarding body requirements and Joint Council for Qualifications regulations
• Arrange examination rooms, invigilators, access arrangements and the secure receipt, storage and dispatch of examination materials
• Communicate examination timetables, procedures, results and relevant deadlines clearly to students, parents, carers and staff
• Maintain accurate records relating to exam entries, attendance, access arrangements, incidents, special consideration and results
• Handle confidential student and family information appropriately and in accordance with data protection, safeguarding and school policies
• Identify and report safeguarding concerns promptly through the school's agreed procedures
  
  

Requirements

What we're looking for

Essential

• Experience working in school administration, admissions, examinations or a comparable education setting
• Strong administrative and organisational skills, with the ability to manage several priorities and deadlines accurately
• Experience maintaining confidential records and using management information systems, databases or similar administrative systems
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the confidence to communicate sensitively with students, parents and external professionals
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office, particularly Outlook, Word and Excel
• A clear understanding of safeguarding, confidentiality and professional boundaries when working with children and young people
  
  

Desirable

• Previous experience within alternative provision, SEND, SEMH, a specialist school or another setting supporting vulnerable young people
• Experience coordinating student admissions, referrals or induction processes
• Previous experience as an Exams Officer or supporting the administration of internal and external examinations
• Knowledge of JCQ regulations, awarding body systems and examination access arrangements
• Experience using a school management information system such as Arbor, SIMS or an equivalent platform
• Understanding of attendance administration, dual registration or working with commissioning schools and local authorities
• A relevant business administration, customer service or examinations qualification
  
  

Key relationships

• Headteacher and senior leadership team
• Teaching, pastoral and SEND staff
• Students, parents and carers
• Local authorities and commissioning schools
• Awarding bodies and examination invigilators
• Safeguarding and external support professionals
  
  

Why join us

• Take on a central role within a growing alternative education provision
• Help students and families experience a well-organised and supportive transition into the school
• Work within a small team where your contribution will be visible and valued
• Develop experience across school administration, admissions and examinations
• Access professional development and wider opportunities across School of Coding & AI
  
  

Safeguarding

SOC Independent School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The successful candidate will be required to complete appropriate pre-employment checks, including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Benefits

• Salary: from £25,000 to £32,000 per annum depending on experience
• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Pension scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• CPD and development opportunities
• Company and social events
• Retail discounts through Bright Exchange