About the Role

This is a key operational role within the Bursary, combining responsibility for the end-to-end school fees billing process with the statutory duties of the School Registrar.  The postholder will ensure:

•          Accurate, timely and efficient billing of fees and extras
•          Robust administration of the pupil register and compliance with statutory reporting requirements
•          Effective, sensitive administration of means-tested bursaries and scholarships

The role requires a highly organised and detail-focused individual with excellent communication skills and a strong customer-service mindset, particularly when dealing with parents.

Colfe's School

Colfe’s is one of London’s oldest schools. It takes its name from Reverend Abraham Colfe, Vicar of Lewisham, who re-founded the school in 1652. In his will, he entrusted the care of the School to the Leathersellers’ Livery Company, which governs the school to this day. A former grammar school, Colfe’s is a fully co-educational day school with over 1300 pupils in all from ages 3 to 18. Colfe’s is a welcoming environment with a deep feeling of community pride among its students, parents, staff and alumni. Academic standards are high: students perform well with many going on to top universities. Excellent pastoral care gives pupils the tools they need to learn and to live, supporting them at school and preparing them for life beyond.

Colfe’s is more inclusive than many independent schools, more than 10% of pupils in a typical Sixth Form year group come from socially disadvantaged backgrounds and the School is committed to widening access still further.

The Bursary team

The role is part of the bursary team, being the finance function of the school. It comprises 6 staff responsible for all finance processes, including fees billing, accounts payable and statutory and management finance reporting.

Key Responsibilities

1. Fees Billing & Parent Accounts

•          Manage the termly billing cycle for tuition fees and extras (e.g. clubs, trips, transport)
•          Produce and issue interim bills as required
•          Maintain accurate billing data and ensure reconciliation and audit trail integrity
•          Administer deposit payments and refunds
•          Maintain and apply fee remissions, scholarships and bursaries accurately
•          Act as the primary point of contact for parental fee queries, resolving issues promptly and professionally
•          Work with the Bursar to review and improve billing processes and controls

2. Management of the Pupil Register

•          Maintain the school’s official pupil register, ensuring accuracy at all times
•          Process joiners and leavers, ensuring correct data entry and system updates
•          Make statutory notifications to relevant agencies (e.g. Local Authority, CME) in accordance with regulatory requirements
•          Ensure compliance with Independent School Standards / safeguarding-related reporting obligations
•          Liaise closely with Admissions, HR and Academic teams to ensure alignment of records

3. Bursaries & Means-Tested Support

•         Administer the annual review process for means-tested bursaries and scholarships
•         Manage communication with families with professionalism, discretion and sensitivity
•         Maintain accurate records of awards and supporting documentation
•         Support assessment and re-assessment processes alongside the Bursar

4. Systems & Process Improvement

•       Maintain and develop the effective use of School MIS (e.g. SIMS / iSAMS) and Finance/billing systems
•       Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce manual processes and enhance reporting and data quality
•       Support integration between admissions, finance and pupil systems

5. Liaison for Home to School transport contract

•       Support the School’s transport provider to plan the day-to-day operation of the School’s coach services, adapting to changes in pupil or school requirements
•       Act as a point of liaison between parents and the transport provider, ensuring clear communication of arrangements and expectations      

6. Stakeholder Liaison

Build effective relationships with parents, school admissions & finance teams and senior academic and pastoral leaders

7. General

•         Support wider Bursary or school administration as required
•         Communicate clearly and professionally, particularly in sensitive financial matters
•          Maintain confidentiality at all times

·         Person Specification

 Essential Experience & Skills

 Customer Service & Communication

·         Excellent written and verbal communication skills

·         Confident and professional when dealing with parents

·         Strong customer service mindset, including handling sensitive or complex queries

Organisation & Attention to Detail

·         Exceptional accuracy and attention to detail

·         Ability to manage multiple deadlines and competing priorities

·         Strong organisational and time management skills

Process & Systems

·         Experience of working in a process-driven administrative or finance environment

·         Ability to manage and improve processes

·         Strong IT skills, including Excel and Databases/ MIS systems

·         Interest in systems development and efficiency improvements

Problem Solving & Initiative

·         Ability to identify issues and resolve them independently

·         Proactive approach to improving ways of working

Confidentiality & Professionalism

·         High level of discretion, particularly in financial and pupil matters

·         Ability to handle sensitive information appropriately

Desirable

·         Experience in a school or education setting

·         Familiarity with school MIS systems (e.g. SIMS, iSAMS)

·         Experience of:

•         Fees billing

•           Admissions or registrar functions

•           Bursary or financial support administration

Qualifications

No formal accounting qualification required

Relevant administrative, finance or customer service experience is more important

Application procedure

The recruitment process will require all applicants to complete an application form, which Daniel will send you, accompanied by a letter of application, current CV and details of two referees, who will be contacted prior to interview, in accordance with the School’s Safer Recruitment procedures.

 The applications should be submitted by email to danielpage@michaelpage.co.uk or apply via the website. The deadline for applications is Friday 19^th June.

 Colfe’s School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure & Barring Service.