Description
* South Lee Prep School and Nursery
* Address: Nowton Road, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP33 2BT
* Salary: £8,112 per annum
* Hours: 12 hours per week
* Contract: Permanent
* Reference: 0505
Founded in 1961, South Lee School is a thriving, highly successful co-educational day prep school where pupils move on at 13+ to a range of senior schools locally and further afield, and we are seeking a Bookkeeper to join our dedicated team.
About the role
Reporting to the School Finance Manager, you will play a key role in managing financial processes and supporting the smooth running of the school's accounts. This is a varied position requiring accuracy, discretion, and excellent organisational skills.
Key responsibilities
* Process purchase ledger invoices and payments.
* Bank reconciliation and allocation of fee receipts.
* Manage payroll changes and payment runs.
* Assist with departmental budgets and annual audit.
* Procurement and cost management.
* General administrative support during holiday periods.
What you will need
* Strong attention to detail and ability to work under pressure.
* High level of IT competency (Outlook, Word, Excel, databases).
* Excellent interpersonal skills and a sense of humour.
* Professionalism and confidentiality.
* AAT or similar qualification desirable.
Benefits of joining us at South Lee
* Longer holidays than the maintained sector.
* Professional development opportunities.
* Fee concessions.
* Free on-site parking and wellbeing gym sessions.
* Delicious cooked lunches during term time.
* Company pension scheme with free financial advice.
* Supportive team culture and thorough induction.
About South Lee Prep School and Nursery
South Lee Prep School is a forward-thinking school that is always looking for ways to enhance learning and ignite intellectual curiosity in our children. We want them to become independent learners, to ask questions, to challenge what they already know, to learn new ways of thinking and to be the best they can possibly be. We also want them to learn who they are and how to be resilient and happy in their own skin.
Through our six South Lee pillars (authenticity and achievement, communication and community, nurture, and zest) we aim to instil the skills and confidence in each child so they can go out into the world, ambitious and brave, ready to make a positive difference in whichever way they choose.
To find out more
Please read the Job Description (pdf).
For more information, please contact Sarah Catchpole, Headteacher, by calling
Visits to the school are welcomed.
How to apply
To apply, please submit your completed Application Form (Word) by email to
Closing date: 12.00 pm, 5 December 2025.
Interview date: Week commencing 8 December 2025.
Suitable candidates may be interviewed before the closing date and the school reserves the right to withdraw the position if an early appointment is made. Applicants are therefore encouraged strongly to apply in good time.
For reasons of safer recruitment, please be aware we do not accept or review curriculum vitae. To progress your application, we will require a completed South Lee Prep School Application Form.
It is our policy that we request employment references for all short-listed candidates prior to interview. Applicants will be asked to confirm that they have not been disqualified from working with children. Any gaps in employment will be explored at interview.
Candidates should be aware that in line with Keeping Children Safe, we will conduct online searches for shortlisted candidates.