What skills and experience we're looking for Cove School is seeking to appoint a Personal Assistant to the Headteacher and Data Protection Officer, being a lead person within a dedicated administration team. You will be joining a busy secondary school and will play a key role in overseeing the main administration systems, staff in the central office, and the school’s approach to data protection and information governance. The successful candidate will have previous administrative experience and will be flexible and adaptive, able to deal with highly sensitive and confidential issues. You will provide line management to the main office staff, deliver high-level administrative support to the Headteacher, and act as the school’s Data Protection Officer, ensuring compliance with data protection legislation and best practice. You will be highly competent in the use of IT systems such as Microsoft Office, email, and other digital platforms. You will have a strong professional administrative background, with some experience ideally of working in an education setting (though this is not essential). The successful candidate will be highly organised, able to communicate confidently and effectively with a variety of stakeholders, and have excellent attention to detail and accuracy. You will be confident in handling personal data appropriately and advising colleagues on data protection matters. The successful candidate will: • Support the Headteacher through high-quality administrative and organisational skills • Act as the school’s Data Protection Officer, overseeing compliance with data protection legislation (including GDPR), policies, and procedures • Provide advice and guidance to staff on data protection, confidentiality, and information handling • Monitor and maintain records relating to data protection, including data breaches, subject access requests, and retention schedules • Be highly competent in using Microsoft Office, email, and ready to learn new online and electronic systems • Be highly organised and able to prioritise tasks effectively in a busy environment • Have a keen attention to detail and accuracy • Be highly literate with excellent written and verbal communication skills • Enjoy being part of a hard-working team and be willing to support colleagues when needed • Be able to maintain strict confidentiality when dealing with sensitive and personal information What the school offers its staff • Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme. • Lifestyle discounts through our employee 'Lifestyle Savings Platform'. • Access to free counselling service via our provider ‘Health Assured’. • Onsite parking. • To be part of a school which has a real ‘team approach’ where you will be valued and supported. Commitment to safeguarding Cove School and Hampshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Check as well as other relevant pre-employment checks.