We’re looking for a professional, organised, and friendly Administrative Assistant to join our team. This role requires a hands-on approach to administration, excellent organisational skills, and strong attention to detail. This is not a passive role; it requires someone who can anticipate needs, prepare in advance, and maintain meticulous records while ensuring clear and timely communication with staff, students, parents, and external partners.

What you’ll be doing:

• Maintaining and updating records and information systems in line with GDPR.
• Ensuring that attendance of pupils is recorded in line with school policy and procedures.
• Adhering to school absence procedures.
• Updating and maintaining the school calendar.
• Assisting with managing the school’s email inbox, ensuring the school meets its expected response times and that emails are forwarded to the relevant staff member as necessary.

• Acting as the first point of contact for parents, carers and visitors arriving at the school.
• Deal with telephone and face-to-face enquiries efficiently and in a professional, courteous, and supportive manner.
• Controlling access to the school in line with the school’s safeguarding procedures, including signing in visitors, checking identification as necessary, issuing passes and notifying them of safeguarding and safety procedures

What we’re looking for:

Essential

• GCSEs in English and Maths.
• Experience in an administrative role handing confidential information
• Strong ICT and communication skills.
• Organised, reliable, and a team player.
• Committed to safeguarding and confidentiality.

Desirable

• Experience in a school environment
• Familiarity with Arbor MIS and safeguarding procedures.

Why join us?

• Supportive and friendly school community
• Ongoing training and development opportunities
• A rewarding role where you’ll make a real impact!

We value your hard work and dedication, and we’re committed to ensuring you feel supported, both professionally and personally so that you are in the best position to make the most impact for the children in our care.

When you join Kedleston Group, you can be certain that your work will have purpose and meaning. You can also expect a supportive environment which enables you to excel in your role and grow in your career.

You will have access to an attractive benefits package including;

• Access to health and well-being programmes, including a free and confidential 24/7 helpline and counselling service
• Discounts on retail, travel, and leisure through our benefits platform
• Cycle to work scheme
• Generous life cover

Who are we?

Hawley Woods School provides a specialist environment and support primarily for autistic children and those needing a similarly adapted approach with small classes of 6-8 pupils within our calm, nurturing setting. Our school caters for children from the age of 7 up to 16 years (Key Stages 2, 3 and 4).

We help children with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) who may be struggling to keep up with the pace of work, may be losing confidence, or struggling with the overwhelming sensory environment of their mainstream school. We also help children who have been out of education for a period of time, to positively re-engage in an education which takes into account any negative experiences they may have had in schools so far.

Hawley Woods School is part of Kedleston Group. We specialise in providing specialist education for children aged 7-19 with a range of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). These include autistic spectrum condition (ASC), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and social emotional and mental health needs (SEMH).

We are committed to safeguarding and only recruit individuals suitable to work with children, subject to thorough vetting. As a Disability Confident and Equal Opportunities Employer, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

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