Ipswich School
Suffolk
£31,049.72 per year
Job type:
Part Time, Permanent
Start date:
01 November 2025
Apply by:
12 September 2025
Job overview
Permanent, full time during term time and for up to 25 days in the School holidays
Required as soon as possible
Founded during the fourteenth century, Ipswich School is one of the foremost independent schools in East Anglia. It has circa 1,000 pupils aged between 3 months and 19 and is co-educational throughout. The most recent Inspection of the Senior School rated it as Excellent in all categories, a judgement of which we are very proud. The School operates a 5-day week, with representative sports played during the week and on Saturdays. This post is based in the Senior School.
THE POST
The School seeks a highly professional Executive Assistant to the Head to provide comprehensive, high-level executive and secretarial support. The successful candidate will serve as the primary point of contact for the Head, exercising discretion and initiative to ensure all staff, visitors, and external contacts are dealt with professionally. The postholder will also be responsible for a range of tasks including the Heads' diary management, facilitating meetings, producing documents and reports, supporting the appointment of teaching staff, managing files and records, and ensuring that key events in the School calendar proceed smoothly.
The postholder will come into contact with a wide range of staff, parents and pupils, governors and visitors in the performance of their duties. They will have a close working relationship with the School's Senior Management Team, including the Deputy Heads, the Director of Finance & Operations and the Prep Head, and their respective PAs. There will also be regular contact with teaching and support staff, new and existing parents and pupils.
In addition, the postholder will have day-to-day line management responsibility for the Academic PAs and Secretaries within the Senior School. The ideal candidate will possess exemplary organisational skills, a strong attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines. Discretion, tact, and the ability to maintain confidentiality are essential. Prior experience as a PA or Executive Assistant and experience in an educational environment are highly desirable.
HOURS OF WORK, SALARY AND BENEFITS
* This is a permanent post (subject to satisfactory completion of a probationary period lasting 6 months).
* The hours of work during Ipswich School term time are usually between 8.00 am pm, Mondays to Fridays (35 weeks per annum), with a one-hour unpaid break for lunch (7½ hours per day, 37½ hours per week)
* During Ipswich School holiday periods, the post holder will usually work from 8.30 am pm with a one-hour break for lunch (7 hours per day) for a total of up to 25 days (or a combination of full and half days up to this amount) at convenient times to be agreed with the Head. This is likely to include two weeks in August to deal with public examination results and prepare for the start of the new academic year.
* There may from time to time be the requirement to attend events and appointments outside of normal school hours, for which time off in lieu may be taken, or to work some additional hours at other times which may be claimed separately via a timesheet
* Please note you are always expected to work your normal hours on the two days prior to the start of the Michaelmas (Autumn) term each year, and on the INSET day (currently in February each year). These days are staff INSET days for training and development activities and they are included in the definition of Ipswich School term time.
* Holidays may only be taken during Ipswich School holiday periods, and at times to be agreed outside of the requirements above.
* The salary for this post (for the hours as described above) will be £31,049.72 per annum and includes the holiday pay per annum as required by the Working Time Regulations.
* Salaries are paid monthly in arrears by BACS on the last working day of each month throughout the year and are reviewed annually on I September, with the first review for this post taking place in September 2026.
* Free lunch is provided in the School Dining Hall during term time when the kitchen is in operation.
* Staff are able to use the School's swimming pool and fitness gym (in compliance with appropriate rules and regulations).
* You will have access to Smarthealth, the School's wellbeing app for staff which offers 24/7 GP access and mental health support.
* After 3 months' service and/or in line with workplace pension legislation, the post holder will be entitled to join a defined contribution pension scheme, with a generous employer contribution and life cover
CLOSING DATE AND INTERVIEW ARRANGEMENTS
Completed application forms should be returned by noon on 12 September 2025 to:
The Director of HR, Ipswich School, 25 Henley Road, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 3SG. If you are submitting your completed application form electronically please email it to:
Please advise us of any special requirements you may have if you are called for an interview. If your special requirements mean that you need to submit this application in a different format please contact us.
Interviews are likely to take place on Tuesday 23rd and Wednesday 24th September 2025.
PLEASE NOTE
Ipswich School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. Having a criminal record will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining the position. The Ipswich School policy on the recruitment of ex offenders and the Code of Practice relating to the Disclosure and Barring Service are available on request.
Recruiter contact:
Email us
Call us
About Ipswich School
Ipswich School
Henley Road, Ipswich
Suffolk
IP1 3SG
United Kingdom
Ipswich School is one of the leading independent schools in the area. It has a long history dating back to at least 1399 and is known for its academic success, without being an educational 'hot house', its extensive sport, drama and music activities and its commitment to the local community.
Pupils at the school come from a really broad range of backgrounds, and this makes the school different to many others in the independent sector. The atmosphere is very positive and pupils really do get on well with each other and with teachers. Behaviour in lessons is first class and teachers are able to focus fully on their teaching and pupils' learning without having to spend time and effort keeping everyone in order.
Those applying for teaching posts in the Senior School will find that class sizes are generally smaller than in the maintained sector, with Lower School classes typically being around 20, Middle School can be a little larger or smaller depending on subjects – but are never larger than 24. A Level classes in the Sixth Form are typically have around 10 – 12 students, with 15 students being the upper limit.
Teachers are well supported by Heads of Department and there is a first-class CPD programme in place which not only provides the latest on class room practice, but also involves a range of optional social events. Additional training is also available for all teachers.
For those looking at Prep School posts they will find wonderful purpose-built classrooms in a state-of-the-art Prep School building, small class sizes – typically around 15 in the Lower Prep and between 18 and 25 in the Upper Prep. They will also find parents are very supportive and keen to develop the potential in their children.
Those applying for support staff posts will feel themselves very much part of a community alongside teaching staff. There is a well-refined CPD programme for, great opportunities for development and a fantastic range of benefits.
There are regular opportunities for all staff to get together socially. Recently staff events include drawing sessions, gin and wine tasting, wreath making at Christmas and a summer BBQ.
Facilities throughout the school are excellent with a brand new Music School, the extensive Ipswich School Sports Centre at nearby Rushmere, a specially-built Prep School and a day nursery – The Lodge.
There is free car parking on site for teachers and support staff (though this can be a little tight at times in the Senior School) and a range of other benefits.
Supporting the community is one of the school's core values. The school has a significant community programme with pupils visiting local care homes giving music and drama performances, pupils growing vegetables and giving them to a local charity, local primary schools taking part in our annual Festival of Music and a large pupil-led termly fundraising programme.
Please have a look at our current vacancies listed here.
Please note that you are wholly responsible for fact checking in respect of the information provided by schools. Please also check for the latest visa and work permit requirements that may apply. Tes is not responsible for the content of advertisements or the policies adopted by advertising schools. Tes asks that all schools followTes' Fair Recruitment Policy.