About the role
Working closely with the Head of Service, you will lead and develop the Administration Team while overseeing the school’s core operational processes. From front-of-house and admissions to HR and finance support, you’ll ensure the delivery of a high-quality, confidential, and responsive service that supports both staff and students.
This role offers real scope to shape systems, improve processes, and contribute to the ongoing development of the school’s support services.
Key Responsibilities
Administration & Leadership
1. Lead, manage and develop the Administration Team to ensure efficient, timely and high-quality administrative support
2. Maintain confidentiality across all areas of work and ensure data is handled in line with policy and legislation
3. Support the Head of Service with the planning and development of administrative and support services
4. Allocate responsibilities within the team in line with operational needs and priorities
Reception & Front of House
5. Oversee the day-to-day operation of the school reception, ensuring a professional and welcoming environment
6. Support the School Administrator in managing incoming calls, messages and enquiries
7. Ensure visitors are greeted courteously and that appropriate staff are informed of arrivals
8. Monitor and maintain visitor procedures, health and safety processes and site security arrangements
Referrals & Admissions
9. Receive and process referrals, ensuring timely communication with the Admissions Manager
10. Coordinate the preparation of student welcome packs following confirmed placements
11. Ensure accurate and timely uploading and updating of student information and records
12. Maintain up-to-date student records in liaison with parents and external agencies
Personnel & HR Administration
13. Set up, maintain and regularly update electronic personnel files for all staff
14. Support recruitment processes, including collating documentation and assisting with interviews where required
15. Ensure the Single Central Record is accurate, up to date and compliant with statutory guidance
Financial Administration
16. Support staff with expenses claims, ensuring they are completed and approved in line with company policy
17. Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of financial transactions and documentation
Team Management
18. Ensure all administrative staff carry out their duties effectively and within agreed timescales
19. Support the recruitment, induction, training and ongoing development of administrative staff
This role is ideal for a highly organised, proactive professional with strong leadership skills and a commitment to delivering an efficient and supportive administrative service within a busy school environment.
Who This Role Is For
This role is ideal for a confident, detail-focused professional who:
20. Enjoys leading and developing a team
21. Thrives in a fast-paced school environment
22. Brings strong organisational, communication, and problem-solving skills
23. Takes pride in delivering a reliable, efficient, and supportive service
About Us
Ryecroft School is an independent day school in Walsall, providing specialist education for autistic children and young people aged 4–18 years.
We focus on meeting the unique learning needs of autistic pupils, including those with additional challenges such as learning disabilities and behaviours that may present as a result of their diagnoses. Our new school, which opened in September 2024, has a capacity for 60 pupils and is designed to support learners with autism and complex needs in a safe, nurturing, and structured environment.
Ryecroft School is located in Walsall, a vibrant market town in the West Midlands. The school is well connected, situated just 9 miles north-west of Birmingham, 7 miles east of Wolverhampton, and 9 miles from Lichfield, offering easy access for families across the region.
For over 19 years Options Autism have provided care and education to pupils and adults with autism, complex needs and learning difficulties. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in setting and delivering new approaches that provide measurable outcomes for those in our care.
We are really proud to say that in 2025, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running.
Why join Options Autism?
We place the outcomes of the pupils and vulnerable young adults in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you’ll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.
Benefits
Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:
24. Life Assurance
25. Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
26. “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks
And a market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including:
27. A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
28. 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
29. Cycle to Work Schemes
30. Electric Car Purchase Scheme
31. Critical illness cover
32. Family Growth Support - inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support.
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
*You’ll work 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay, giving you more time to do the things that make you happy. 4DWW is subject to successful completion of probation and is not a contractual benefit
Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.
#1