A competitive salary on the Rishworth Leadership Scale commensurate with experience, qualifications and performance. The successful candidate will also have access to the Rishworth School staff benefits package including a staff discount.
Hours
This is a full-time position, though the school is committed to being a flexible employer, and as such would be willing to discuss alternative arrangements. Typically, there will be occasions of evening and weekend work over the year and the successful candidate should expect to work the hours necessary to discharge their duties.
Contract Duration
This is a permanent position with a start date of July 2026.
Overview
This is an opportunity for a driven individual to play an integral part in the Leadership Team. The successful candidate will be fundamental in building and delivering the School Development Plan and implementing strategies which align with the school’s ethos and values. The successful candidate will have responsibility for finance, operations, human resources, risk management and compliance.
We are looking for a person, capable of managing and motivating their teams and engaging with an extensive stakeholder group. As a key custodian of Rishworth School, you will instinctively protect and maintain its values and be respectful of the history by embodying the school values; curiosity, individuality, kindness and valour and by adhering to the school motto; Res Non Verba.
The individual will play a key role as a strategic thinker within the Leadership Team, contributing actively to whole-school strategic planning. They will provide the financial insight and analysis required to inform major strategic decisions, while also holding responsibility for the school’s financial operations, day-to‑day business functions, and regulatory compliance.
This is very much an all‑round post for an experienced educational professional offering a rewarding variety of challenges.
Key Responsibilities
The following list is not exhaustive and assumes that from time‑to‑time other tasks not listed may be required to ensure the efficient operation of the school:
Leadership Team
As a member of the Leadership Team (LT), the Bursar will work alongside the Board of Governors and Head on the overall strategic direction of the school.
As part of the LT the Bursar will:
* Have responsibility for the Finance, IT, HR and Operations functions.
* Actively engage in whole‑school decision making through LT meetings, review and contribution of the School Development Plan (SDP) to ensure that Rishworth School delivers a quality experience for our students, parents and key stakeholders whilst ensuring that the school is a financially viable and stable entity.
* Attend Governing Body meetings, presenting and being answerable to key performance indicators.
Finance
The Bursar will:
* Be responsible for the school’s 3‑year financial forecasts, the 10‑year financial business plan, and the preparation of detailed annual budgets.
* Advise and lead on financial policy, investment (in consultation with brokers) and taxation matters, in line with the charitable status of the school.
* Oversee the payroll function, providing strategic input and ensuring compliance.
* Sit as an active member of the Finance, Audit and Risk Sub‑Committee which includes the Asset Working Party.
* Keep the capital expenditure register up to date and be responsible for asset management.
* Act as the financial leader in the school and manage the Finance Team.
Human Resources (HR)
The Bursar will:
* Act as adviser or officer for staff discipline, capability or grievance matters and ensuring relevant policies are appropriate and adhered to.
* Conduct annual appraisals and target setting of Business Support staff, either directly or via the appropriate Head of Department.
* Secure HR policies, management systems and expertise in personnel to ensure compliance.
* Draft and issue employment contracts for all staff, ensuring accuracy, compliance with relevant legislation, and alignment with school policies and procedures.
Audit and Risk Management
The Bursar will:
* Sit as an active member of the Audit & Risk Sub‑Committee.
* Formulate, update and report on the Risk Register.
* Safely store the Deeds of the school and apply for land registry where relevant.
* Formulate, monitor, implement and ensure the effective auditing of all Health & Safety policies.
* Act as the key contact with statutory authorities such as Companies House, Charity Commission, Department for Education, Environmental Health, Independent Schools Inspectorate, Health & Safety Executive and HM Revenue & Customs.
* Ensure UK Visa and Immigration compliance, acting as Tier 4 authorising officer.
* Take key responsibility for keeping the crisis management plan to safeguard business recovery up to date.
* Oversee the school’s insurance portfolio, ensuring adequate coverage, timely renewals, accurate claims management, and compliance with all relevant regulatory and risk‑management requirements.
* Secure operational compliance through quality assurance procedures, personnel and monitoring.
* Provide strategic oversight of the school’s IT function, coordinating effectively with the in‑house technical team and outsourced service provider to ensure reliable, secure, and future‑focused digital infrastructure and support.
School Buildings and Grounds
The Bursar, via the relevant Heads of Department, will be responsible for:
* All buildings, facilities, equipment and surrounding areas, including security monitoring, land drainage, boundaries, roads and rights of way.
* Drawing up specifications for new buildings, obtaining tenders, planning permission and, as such, will liaise with school architects and builders.
* Staff accommodation, lettings, leases and licences.
* Physical security of the site, staff and students.
* Swimming pool and plant.
* Photocopier contract and operation.
The duties may be varied to meet the changing demands of the school at the reasonable direction of the Head. Any significant changes will, wherever possible, be made after consultation.
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