About the Role
Application end date: 27/04/26
Interview date: W/C 01/05/26
Are you a Life Changer? Do you want to lean in and help transform the life of a child?
Compass Community puts children first through our therapeutic, innovative approach. Integrity, Courage and Care shape how we work. We listen deeply, challenge each other respectfully, and fix what needs fixing — together.
This is the work. And we’d like you to be part of it.
Compass Community is seeking a dedicated School Operations Officer to join our Compass Education Schools and support the delivery of high-quality, child-centred education through outstanding administrative coordination, data management and compliance support.
This role is central to the day-to-day running of the school. You will work closely with the Head of School and wider teams to ensure that systems, processes and support services operate smoothly, enabling teaching staff to focus on what matters most — helping children feel safe, supported and able to thrive.
If you are highly organised, calm under pressure, and motivated by making a real difference behind the scenes, this role offers the opportunity to be part of a values-led organisation where your work truly matters.
Key Responsibilities
* Administrative & Office Operations: Oversee the smooth day-to-day running of the school office and front-of-house, acting as a welcoming and professional first point of contact for parents, carers and visitors. Manage school systems and databases, ensuring pupil records, attendance and safeguarding documentation are accurate, up to date and compliant.
* Administrative & Office Operations (continued): Handle correspondence, document production and filing in line with school standards, draft letters and emails to parents/carers, and maintain school noticeboards and communication systems. Coordinate reception activities, including managing calls, post, deliveries and visitor access, and provide high-level administrative and diary support to the Head of School.
* Administrative & Office Operations (continued): Maintain the school calendar, coordinate key operational activities, and manage maintenance requests, health and safety checks, supply orders and contractor liaison to keep the school environment safe and well-resourced.
* Educational & Pupil Administration: Support the collation and submission of statutory data to the Department for Education and Local Authorities and maintain accurate attendance, safeguarding and admissions records throughout the pupil journey.
* Educational & Pupil Administration (continued): Communicate with families, support absence reporting, welfare updates, appointment bookings and pupil transitions; coordinate orders for uniforms, stationery and food; conduct welfare calls where required; monitor and respond to the school mailbox and general enquiries.
* Finance & Resources: Reconcile petty cash, assist with invoice processing and query resolution, and support budget monitoring and purchase orders. Liaise with finance teams as required and support the Head of School with financial compliance and reporting; ensure accurate use of the school MIS (e.g., SIMS, Arbor or Compass).
* Safeguarding, Compliance & Health & Safety: Maintain safeguarding records and ensure GDPR compliance across administrative processes; coordinate health and safety checks and escalate concerns as needed. Undertake additional responsibilities such as First Aid, Fire Warden or Accident Reporting where required.
* HR & Staffing Support: Support recruitment administration, staff inductions and onboarding; maintain staff absence, incident and compliance records; coordinate ordering of staff equipment (ID badges, keys, devices) to ensure staff are equipped from day one.
* Meetings, Events & Wider Support: Organise and service school meetings and events, distribute agendas and record minutes; act as a communication link between the school and central support services (Facilities, HR, Finance and Marketing) and provide administrative cover across departments when required.
Candidate Profile
Qualifications & Experience
* Proven administrative experience, ideally within education, social care or another regulated environment
* Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook and Teams)
* Experience of compliance processes, audits or statutory reporting is desirable
Skills & Attributes
* Highly organised with excellent attention to detail
* Clear and confident communicator, both written and verbal
* Able to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment
* Professional, discreet and committed to confidentiality
* Motivated by supporting others and improving systems and processes
Behavioural & Cultural Fit
* Resilient and calm under pressure
* Collaborative and relationship-focused, working effectively with staff, families and external partners
* Strongly child-centred, aligned with Compass Community’s REACH ethos — Resilient, Educator, Accepting, Child-Centred and Holistic
Success in This Role Looks Like
* Headteachers feel well-supported, organised and able to focus on leadership and education
* Administrative systems are accurate, compliant and consistently maintained
* Safeguarding and compliance data is proactively managed and inspection-ready
* Operational processes run smoothly and efficiently
* Staff and pupils experience a calm, organised and welcoming school environment
Why Compass Community?
We exist to create a future of strength and opportunity for every child. Our innovative, therapeutic approach puts children at the centre of everything we do. We’re bold in our ambition: to be the UK’s leading children’s services provider — reaching more children, transforming services, and being the best place to work in the sector.
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