Personal Assistant to Headteacher

Required to start September 2026

Are you a highly organised professional who excels at communication? Do you have a flawless eye for detail and a passion for devising and managing efficient administrative systems?

If the answer is yes, then Sir John Heron Primary School wants you. We are looking to appoint a friendly, efficient, and highly professional Personal Assistant to join our school office and leadership team.

Sir John Heron is a successful, inclusive, and diverse two-form entry resourced Primary School with a morning and afternoon Nursery. As a resourced school, we are proud to host a specialist unit for children with profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD). We pride ourselves on our warm, community-driven atmosphere where every child is supported to thrive. As the first point of contact for parents, visitors, and pupils, you will play a key role in maintaining this welcoming and safe environment.

Key Responsibilities
In this vital role, you will work closely with school leadership to ensure operational excellence. Your main duties will include:

• Supporting the Headteacher in the smooth running of the school by managing the whole-school diary, coordinating parental communication, and providing minute-taking for key meetings.
• Preparing, in consultation with the headteacher, termly governor reports, school policies, and other public documents. You will also prepare and disseminate internal documents and policies.
• Setting up and maintaining highly confidential records and filing systems. You will manage GDPR policies, oversee Subject Access Requests (SARs), and support the leadership team with sickness and absence procedures.
• Managing school recruitment processes from end to end.
• Managing aspects of the school’s website as required by leadership, organising school events, and coordinating VIP or official visits.
• Managing catering supplies for school staff and for school events.
• Assisting in project work relating to the development of the school as may be required from time to time.
• Co-operating with the headteacher or their representatives on all issues to do with health, safety, welfare, and child protection.
• Performing such other duties, within the competence of the postholder, which may be required, reasonably, from time to time.
• Supporting in the office during peak times.

What We Are Looking For

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Exceptional organisational skills with the ability to prioritise a busy workload.
• Have outstanding communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Have a discreet, professional, and empathetic approach to handling confidential information.
• Have a welcoming presence who embodies the values of our diverse and inclusive community.
• Be competent in ICT programmes, such as Microsoft Office, Internet and Bromcom.
• Be willing to undertake training.

We do not accept CVs. If you would like to apply for the position, please apply online.

This position will be 5 days a week in term time only from 36 hours per week. 

Closing Date for applications is: Thursday 9th July 2026
Interviews will be held on: Thursday 16th July 2026. Interviews may be held sooner for a strong candidate.

For any queries or to arrange a visit to the school, please call the school directly on 0208 514 9860 or email info@sirjohnheron.newham.sch.uk.

An online search will be completed for all shortlisted candidates. The successful candidate will have to meet the requirements of the person specification in order to be offered the post and appointment will be conditional subject to clearance by the Disclosure and Barring Service. We welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, religion, disability or sexuality. Sir John Heron Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.