* Ipswich School
* Address: Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 3SG
* Salary: £31,049 per annum
* Hours: 37.5 hours per week, 35 weeks per year*
* Contract: Permanent. Required as soon as possible
* Reference: 0376
*Permanent, full time during term time and for up to 25 days in the school holidays.
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 school seeks a highly professional Executive Assistant to the Head to provide comprehensive, high-level executive and secretarial support. You 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. You 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.
You will come into contact with a wide range of staff, parents and pupils, governors and visitors in the performance of their duties. You will have a close working relationship with the School's Senior Management Team, including the Deputy Heads, the Director of Finance and 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, you will have day-to-day line management responsibility for the Academic PAs and Secretaries within the Senior School. You 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:
o this is a permanent post (subject to satisfactory completion of a probationary period lasting 6 months)
o the hours of work during Ipswich School term time are usually between 8 am - 4.30 pm, Mondays to Fridays (35 weeks per annum), with a one-hour unpaid break for lunch (7½ hours per day, 37½ hours per week)
o during Ipswich School holiday periods, you will usually work from 8.30 am - 4.30 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
o 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
o 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
o holidays may only be taken during Ipswich School holiday periods, and at times to be agreed outside of the requirements above
o 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
o 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
o free lunch is provided in the school dining hall during term time when the kitchen is in operation
o staff are able to use the school’s swimming pool and fitness gym (in compliance with appropriate rules and regulations)
o you will have access to Smarthealth, the school’s wellbeing app for staff which offers 24/7 GP access and mental health support
o 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.
To find out more
Find out more about us by visiting our website
How to apply
A job description and application form can be downloaded from our website or by emailing hr@ipswich.school
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 hr@ipswich.school
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.
Closing date: 12 September 2025.
Interview date: 23 and Wednesday 24 September 2025.
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.