Business ManagerCandidate Recruitment Pack

November 2015

11th November 2015

Welcome LetterDear Applicant

Thank you for expressing interest in the post of Business Manager at St Peters Primary School. This is a very important strategic role within and we are very keen to appoint someone to lead in this area of school life. We are looking for an effective and efficient team member who is able to work closely with senior colleagues and governors to deliver a strong and secure business environment which will effectively support the core purpose of the school to provide an outstanding education for all of our children. I hope that this pack will help you to discern if this is a role for your and will support you in your application.

We are proud of the values, standards and facilities that we are able to offer to children and families in the Portishead area. St Peter’s is the oldest school in Portishead and has been serving the local community for over two hundred years. As such, we offer experience and tradition as well as a commitment to provide a primary education that is fit for children growing up in the twenty-first century. We moved to our current site in 1994, opened a new Early Years classrooms in 2005, a new community room in 2008 and further new classrooms in 2011. We have just finished a further expansion and we are now a 630 (21 class) place primary school. We plan to grow gradually from our current roll of 540 but as the largest primary school in Portishead we are able to offer children a wide range of opportunities to help them develop into a caring and thoughtful people who are also confident and successful learners.  The current school budget is in the range of 1.8 million per annum.

St Peter’s has a deservedly high reputation for academic, creative and sporting excellence. Our results are often amongst the highest in North Somerset. The school is set in a beautiful quiet location, with plenty of space to learn and play. As well as our large playgrounds, we have a wonderful field, large conservation area with woodland, pond, orchard and outdoor classroom. Inside, the environment is filled with displays of children’s work and the quiet buzz of learning.

 I enclose additional details which should contain all the information that you need. However, as this is an important process for the school and a significant decision in your own professional career, please do not hesitate to contact the school if we can add to or explain any of the details that you have been sent.Visits to the School are most welcome, please phone the school and we will be happy to make arrangements. You can also find out more about the school by visiting our website at www.st-peters.n-somerset.sch.uk.

I hope that you will feel encouraged to submit an application to us and may I thank you in advance for the thought and effort that this will inevitably entail.

With best wishes,   Sharon RobertsHeadteacher

SCHOOL ETHOS STATEMENT

For more than two hundred years St Peter’s Church of England Primary School has been committed to serving the community of Portishead. It is our responsibility to protect this heritage and innovate, so that present and future generations may also benefit from a school committed to excellence.

What we do is important and we know that the wellbeing and life chances of pupils depend on us. Therefore it is vital that we communicate the school’s goals and continually reinforce the standards we aspire to.

This policy describes our vision for what we aspire the school to be and how we will achieve this goal (strategy & improvement plan). It has the school Ethos Statement as its foundation. Our vision is to be shared with all in our school community and we should aspire to achieve this in all that we do.

Ethos statementValuing Others, Valuing Ourselves, Valuing our Learning

Recognising its historic foundation, St Peter’s will preserve and develop its religious character in accordance with the principles of the Church of England and in partnership with the Church at parish and diocesan level.

St Peter’s aims to serve its community by providing an education of the highest quality within the context of Christian belief and practice, welcoming all regardless of their faith or belief. It encourages an understanding of the meaning and significance of faith and promotes Christian values through the experience it offers to all its pupils.

Our vision for St Peter’s

St Peter's Church of England Primary School aspires to be a welcoming, inclusive family with a strong Christian ethos, a sense of community and a commitment to excellence for all children in our care.

Towards this we strive to be a school where:

Our children feel safe, are enthusiastic, secure and confident. They enjoy their learning and are successful in it. We nurture their uniqueness and respond to their diverse needs. We enable them to succeed and make a meaningful contribution to the world.

Our staff team enjoys working with children and together. We support and challenge each other to be the best we can be. We are committed to achieving outstanding provision for all.

Our leadership is strong and shared, leads by example, enables and motivates, and constantly strives to ensure excellence in all we do.

Our partnership with St Peter’s Parish Church is active and strong, enriching the lives of all in our community.

Our curriculum is stimulating, broad, creative and relevant, focused on the whole child, so that it prepares and equips children for the future

Our learning environment, both indoor and outdoor, is exciting, encourages all to participate, celebrates learning and is well maintained and safe. We nurture relationships that are based on trust and respect, and value everyone's contribution. We actively seek to work in partnership with parents & carers.

We create learning opportunities that inspire, encourage and support children. We help them to develop skills to reflect on their learning and gain confidence to take risks so that they achieve high standards throughout the school.

We continue to build on a heritage earned from serving Portishead for over 200 years; innovating practice and confidently sharing this knowledge with others around us. We actively support and learn from other schools.

We value others, ourselves and our learning. We are committed to excellence. We care for and develop the whole child.

Strategy & Improvement PlanWith our vision for St Peter’s in mind, our strategy planning channels efforts for the coming 3 years on to areas that will deliver the greatest impact for children:

By July 2018:

We are judged to be an outstanding school with excellent outcomes for all children We have a clear and consistent Pedagogy for Excellence We maintain our outstanding Church School ethos because we have a broad and

balanced curriculum which enriches lives and children and staff enjoy coming to learn and work together

We are in strong partnerships with other schools; these enhance provision for children and staff.

Within these areas, our School Improvement Plan sets where we will concentrate our focus for the current year. When we refresh our plan each year we take into account all the data that we have on children’s achievement and feedback from the school community, along with initiatives set by local and national government

THE ADVERT

BUSINESS MANAGER JM1 SCP 34 £29,558 - SCP 37 £31,846 pro rata actual starting salary: £19,971 per annum

Hours: Part time - 25 hours per week (Monday to Friday (9.30am–2.30pm) with flexibility to attend Governors Meetings which are held in the eveningsContract: Permanent, All Year Round Start date: 4th January 2016

The Governors wish to appoint an outstanding Business Manager to work as part of the senior leadership team with responsibility for providing efficient and effective leadership and management for aspects including:

financial management and reporting (both strategic and operational) facilities management including health and safety business administration, personnel and support services leading and developing the administration and site teams.

The successful candidate will be:

An effective and efficient team member who is able to work closely with senior colleagues and governors to deliver a strong and secure business environment which effectively supports the core purposes of the school

Able to communicate effectively in both written and oral form with a variety of stakeholders

Committed to promoting the highest standards of work with a flexible and adaptable approach to work priorities as well as an ability to steer a service/organisation through change

Able to show integrity, reliability, ability to work unsupervised and ability to meet deadlines under pressure

The successful candidate will have: a minimum of three years experience in significant budget management and be

fully competent in the preparation of financial information for others. (The current school budget is 1.8 million)

a Certificate in School Business Management or be willing to study for the qualification

at least three years proven managerial experience excellent interpersonal/communication skills

We offer:

A supportive environment A commitment to CPD Opportunities to develop your career

St Peter’s is a large primary school. The school has a strong Christian ethos and has high expectations of all its staff and children. We are working towards moving from good to outstanding in all areas of school life. The school has just become a 630 place school and there will be lots of exciting opportunities for staff development.

St Peter’s is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all its children and expects all staff to share this commitment. All candidates will need to satisfy the requirements of a DBS check, two satisfactory references and qualifications check.

Visits to the school are warmly welcomed. All enquiries and for further details, application form and pack or to arrange a visit to the school, please contact Louise Morgan  01275 843142  or email Louise.Morgan@st-petersprimaryschoolportishead.uk

Closing Date: Noon, 8th December 2015Interview Date: Tuesday 15th December

APPLICATIONS: Tara Phillis, HR Manager, Gordano School, St Marys Road, Portishead BS20

7QR

01275 842606 stpeters@gordano.n-somerset.sch.uk

St Peters School is an equal opportunities employer.

If you have not heard from us by 15th December 2015, please accept our thanks for your application and interest in St Peters School, and assume that on this occasion you have not

been successful.

THE APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications should be made to the Headteacher, Sharon Roberts, by letter (maximum two sides of A4) accompanied by a fully completed application form with details of all educational qualifications, including grades obtained. (Please note that curriculum vitae are not accepted.)

Referees: Please ensure that the names and contact details (address, telephone or email) are enclosed of TWO referees to support your application. References will be used to support the selection process and therefore obtained prior to interview.

St Peters School is an equal opportunities employer. St Peter’s is also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all its children and expects all staff to share this commitment. All candidates will need to satisfy the requirements of a

DBS check, two satisfactory references and qualifications check.

All shortlisted candidates will be asked as part of the above safeguarding processes to submit a self- declaration form in advance of the interview starting. If you are

shortlisted this will be emailed to you, please bring this form in a stamped addressed and salad envelope.

If you have not heard from us by 15th December 2015 please accept our thanks for your application and interest in St Peters School, and assume that on this occasion you have not

been successful.

NOTES:

• The interview will be a day process on Tuesday, 15th December 2015.

• All applications need to be on the St Peter’s School application form.

• E Applications will be acknowledged by email. Postal applications will only be acknowledged if a self addressed, stamped envelope is provided.

• Postal applications need to be sent to : Tara Phillis, HR Manager, Gordano School, St Marys Road, Portishead BS20 7QR

• It will not be possible to give debriefs to applicants who are not invited for interview. Full debriefs will be offered to all candidates who are interviewed.

Please email completed applications to: recruitment@gordanoschool.org.uk

THE JOB DESCRIPTION

St Peter's Church of England Primary School

JOB DESCRIPTION: Grade JM1

1. JOB PURPOSE:

Under the overall direction of the Headteacher and within the policies adopted by the Governing Body to provide efficient and effective management and supervisory support on financial, premises and general administrative matters. In particular to support the Headteacher and Governors by leading and managing:

financial management and reporting (both strategic and operational) facilities management including health and safety business administration, personnel and support services leading and developing the administration and site teams.

2. ORGANISATIONAL CONTEXT

Working in a school office/administration environment to support the Headteacher and Governors in providing excellent learning opportunities for pupils.

3. ORGANISATIONAL CHARTAs described below - 6 staff in total

4. DIMENSIONSBudget 1.8 millionSupervises: Office manager, Finance Assistant, Administrator/Receptionists, Site Manager and

Caretaker, School Fund Turnover £15, 000School Trips Account Turnover £15,000

Bid or Grant applications approx £5,000 per year

5. MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

A. FINANCETo provide a comprehensive financial management service to budget holders, senior managers and the school governors, to include:

Preparing, presentation and review of the school’s Annual Budget to the Head before final draft with Head for Governors

Production of financial control information and explanations about the current position

Costing and monitoring proposals for change Developing and applying policies implemented by the school, the LA and other

bodies Supporting and advising teaching staff on their financial role Contribute to the generation of school’s income through the bid and grant

applications made to support various school initiatives, including the after school

club. To ensure that the school’s accounting procedures are sound and in accordance

with good accounting practice and the requirements of the Council’s auditors and School Financial Value Standard.

To oversee the local payments system To attend appropriate Governors’ meetings to present financial information. To liaise with the LA/DfE on financial issues affecting the school and prepare for the

visits 3 times a year by the schools’ finance team. Benchmarking Finance for Governors

B SCHOOL ENVIRONMENTTo supervise and organise planned and unplanned maintenance of the school’s buildings taking account of the School Condition Survey and including the following:

Monitor and amend the maintenance programme as required and report on financial implications of unplanned maintenance to the Governors and Headteacher.

To support the Headteacher with project management (e.g. building projects undertaken and funded by the school) by attending meetings, co-ordinating and monitoring work on behalf of the Headteacher.

To assist in the shaping and implementation of the school Site Development Plan To manage and review all contracts for services to the school To manage the facilities of the school and promote the use of the school site for

community use To liaise with the LA on environmental issues affecting the school Manage the Site Team and any school cleaners to ensure that the school premises

are kept in a clean and healthy condition. Ensure that an inventory of school stock, equipment and other expendable

resources and ensure that regular and random checks are undertaken. Ensure that all identified health and safety risks are dealt with as quickly and

effectively as possible. Responsible for reporting to the Headteacher situations which potentially pose a danger to any pupil or member of staff in the school.

Work from the School’s Health & Safety Policy and the H&S Audits to review the risk assessment schedule and amend the school’s Health & Safety Policy where necessary. Chair Health and Safety Committee and work with the identified Governor responsible and recommend changes to the Headteacher and Governing Body.

Maintain associated records and accounts of the Halls and grounds by ‘external’ groups and associations, and direct the school Site Team to ensure that the facilities used for lettings and other after school activities are properly maintained and cleaned.

Review and recommend changes where necessary, to the Headteacher and Governors on the school’s letting policy to support the school’s aims for community cohesion.

C. PERSONNEL AND ADMINISTRATIONTo ensure effective personnel and administration services, to include:

To lead a team of administration and premises staff to support the school's prime activity of teaching and learning (including appraisal).

To support the Headteacher and Governors in any decision to change the status of the school (e.g. conversion to Academy Status)

To lead the recruitment, induction , review and development of administration and premises support staff

Initiate the development and implementation and monitoring of work processes, including the use of systems which enhance the application of information technology in the school's administration work.

To liase with the school's ICT provider and the school subject leader over

administration and premises ICT development issues and to ensure a clear development plan is in place.

Maintain accurate and oversee staff contract information including changes brought about by starting, leaving, promotion and salary increases.

Adopt and become proficient in new administration systems and upgrades Monitor workload and ensure adequate staffing is available Be conversant with agreed procedures and be prepared to assume a role in a

critical incident. To support the Headteacher with project management by attending meetings, co-

ordinating monitoring and preparing returns for project funding. Work effectively with teachers, support staff and other professionals, applying own

strengths and expertise to contribute positively to the overall aims and objectives of the school. Provide effective support for all other members of the school staff by sharing own knowledge and expertise in a professional and constructive manner

Monitor and cost CPD for teaching and non teaching staff and input CPD records into the relevant systems to report on the school census.

D. SUPPORT FOR THE HEADTEACHER, GOVERNING BODY AND SCHOOL MANAGEMENT TEAM Advise the Headteacher and Governors on the interpretation and application of

statutory regulations, school policies and agreed procedures in respect of the management of staff, finances, property and other school resources.

Actively participate in the development and maintenance of school policies and practices which ensure that the schools has a safe and welcoming environment

Member of SLT when financial issues are discussed Develop and maintain effectiveness as a member of the school staff by taking

responsibility for own continuing professional development.

Generic ItemsTo undertake any other duties commensurate with the grade of the post

To be aware of and understand the Council’s Comprehensive Equality Policy and Race Equality Scheme and ensure at all times that the duties of the post are carried out in accordance with the policy.

To ensure compliance with all Health and Safety legislation and associated codes of practice and authority policies.

6. WORK CONTROL, SUPERVISION AND WORK PLANNINGWork sources include: LA (finance, personnel, payroll, asset management, H&S), Outside contractors, staff, parents, Governors, Headteacher.The post holder meets with Headteacher on regular basis, sets own work priorities within school and DFE deadlinesWorks within agreed protocols and procedures and recommends adaptations of those to meet the needs of the school.Plans for budgets 3 year ahead, preparing revised budgets as needed. Planning also required for salaries, CFR reports, statistical returns to be sent to appropriate agenciesRolling maintenance programme which requires adapting to cover unplanned activities.Supervises others and plans across the support teams for new school projects and initiatives and line manages the work loads and performance of the teams reporting into this post.

7. CONTACTS AND COMMUNICATION SKILLSThe post holder will have regular contact with the following:

LA staff, other public agencies and private contractors providing services and support to the school.

Governors, contractors, LA, engineers, outside agenciesAnd must use politeness, courteousness and tact at all times.

8. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE(See Person Specification)

9. GENERAL

This job description only contains the main duties relating to this post and does not describe in detail the tasks required to carry them out.

10. Additional information (if applicable, please delete if not)

Much of the work undertaken within the Department is of a highly confidential nature. The postholder must at all times maintain confidentiality and should be aware that, given the nature of the services provided by the Department they may on occasions be exposed to information that they may find upsetting.

Person Specification

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA ESSENTIAL DESIRABLE

QUALIFICATIONSNVQ level 4, degree or equivalent gained in a business related subject

A Levels or similar standard academic qualifications

Min 5 GCSE grades in C or above, particularly in Maths & English or equivalent qualifications

Certificate or Diploma in School Business Management or willingness to undertake in first year of appointment

IOSH certificate or equivalent knowledge of premises management, maintenance schedules, capital projects or H&S

NEBOSH certificate

WORK RELATED EXPERIENCE & ASSOCIATED VOCATIONAL TRAINING

Experience of working in a school

Significant experience (usually at least 3 years) in financial services and complex budget management in excess of £500K

Experience of management of at least one of the following areas:

Facilities including health and safety

Human resources Administration support

services

Financial or accounting background and the preparation of financial information for others

Significant track record (usually at least 3 years) and proven managerial experience to have included:

A strategic and policy role A service delivery Effective use of resources Leading , motivating and

developing professional and administrative staff

Accounting and management reporting experience in a school or other large organisation

Able to apply business acumen

Ability to apply performance management techniques and processes

Experience of delivering training

OTHER RELEVANT EXPERIENCESPECIALIST KNOWLEDGE

A proven aptitude in utilising ICT in the provision of management information and work planning

Experience of financial and accounting

procedures.

Knowledge of employment procedures and contractual commitments

Experience of Health and Safety at work

JOB RELATED SKILLS Experience of accounts and accounting procedures.

Proficient and analytical skills using excel, word etc

Fully ICT literate with excellent EXCEL skills

Knowledge of FMS or similar financial package

PERSONAL SKILLS Flexible and adaptable to work priorities.Ability to steer a service/organisation through changeIntegrity. Reliability. Ability to work unsupervised and ability to meet deadlines under pressure. Excellent interpersonal/communication skills. Discretion. Adaptable.Motivated, Team player.

SPECIAL WORKING CONDITIONS

Valid driving licence and own transport, or be able to provide alternative, suitable method of travel.*

Emergency Key Holder

OTHER Satisfactory enhanced DBS disclosure certificate (relevant applications and checks will be carried out before any job offer is confirmed)* - candidates will be asked to complete a self-declaration form at the time of interview where any disclosures nee`d to be recorded.

The role is expected to work the hours required to meet the requirements of the post e.g. attending Governors meetings (6 subcommittee meetings per academic year and 6 FGB meetings per year)

The Business Manager will often be the only Senior Leader in school during the holiday period and will have responsibility for the school and site in the Head’s absence

November 2015