Summary

Someries Junior School is seeking a highly organised, proactive and skilled Office, Resources and Premises Manager (School Business Manager) to play a pivotal role in the strategic and operational leadership of our school.

Working closely with the Headteacher and Governing Body, you will be responsible for the effective management of the school’s finances, premises, administration, HR processes and support services. This is a senior support role requiring strong leadership, financial acumen and the ability to balance strategic oversight with hands‑on operational delivery in a busy school environment.

As an efficient administrator with great people skills, you will be at the heart of our dedicated team. You will play a vital role in ensuring the smooth running of the school.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Management

• Lead and manage the school’s administrative and premises teams, ensuring high standards of performance, motivation and professional development.
• Review, develop and implement efficient systems and procedures to support the smooth day‑to‑day running of the school.
• Contribute to whole‑school priorities and the School Improvement Plan, promoting the school’s values and ethos at all times.

Finance & Resources

• Compile the annual school budget on behalf of the Headteacher and monitor expenditure against agreed plans.
• Maintain accurate financial records, process orders and invoices, and ensure compliance with all financial regulations and audit requirements.
• Identify budget variances and provide clear financial reports to the Headteacher and Governing Body, including attendance at governing body meetings.
• Secure best value for money through effective procurement and contract management.

Human Resources & Compliance

• Manage recruitment processes for administrative and premises staff, including safer recruitment and pre‑employment checks.
• Maintain accurate personnel records, including payroll notifications, sickness absence, training and staff variations.
• Ensure the Single Central Record is accurate and fully compliant.

Premises, Health & Safety

• Oversee the maintenance, security and cleaning of the school site, liaising with contractors and site staff as required.
• Manage statutory compliance including legionella, asbestos and health & safety requirements.
• Ensure timely completion of returns and documentation required by the local authority, DfE and external agencies.

Systems, Policies & Data

• Lead on the management of the school’s Management Information System (SIMS) and associated administrative and financial IT systems.
• Update and review policies and risk assessments within the remit of the role.
• Ensure the security and integrity of school data and equipment.

Pupil & Community Support

• Manage welfare provision, including coordinating and delivering training to support pupils with medical needs.
• Work with attendance and family support colleagues to improve pupil attendance.
• Manage school lettings, ensuring effective administration and smooth operation.

About You

You will be an experienced manager with strong organisational, financial and people‑management skills, ideally gained within an education or similarly complex public‑sector environment.

Essential:

• Proven experience managing staff and overseeing finance, administration and/or premises functions.
• Strong financial and analytical skills, with experience of budgeting and financial monitoring.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively with pupils, parents, staff, governors and external partners.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines and work flexibly.
• Commitment to safeguarding, equality and continuous professional development.

Desirable:

• Experience working in a school or education setting.
• Knowledge of SIMS and other education‑based systems.
• Relevant management, business or administration qualification (or equivalent experience).

This is a rare opportunity to join our stable and supportive staff. We will value your professionalism and appreciate your dedication to your role.

A key part of the role is to manage the school’s finance, but you would be involved in so much more including first aid organisation, admin & premises team management, HR and recruitment processes, general administration, school communications, attendance monitoring… !

We particularly welcome applications from experienced school administrators or finance managers.  

Experience of working with a school Management Information System and Financial Management System (FMS) would be helpful. (We currently use SIMS and SIMS FMS, with HCSS budget setting software.)

The role also includes being Clerk to our Governing Body. (This is a separate contract with pay for each meeting of the governors.)

Our School

We are situated near the Hertfordshire borders on the outskirts of Luton, an area that offers the conveniences of a modern town and the green spaces of the countryside. It is near transport connections by road, rail and air to London, the UK and beyond.

 We are a small two-form entry junior school - the smallest school in Luton -  and so our school has a ‘family feel’ to it. However, we benefit from an expansive site including large playing fields for our children to enjoy. (In September 2026 we will take a third form in Year 3 to accommodate a ‘bulge year’.)

 It is our School Vision that:

• We work together to become the best versions of ourselves.
• As responsible citizens, we create a better future.

Staff are proud to be a member of the team here. The school encourages calm and orderly conduct and is aspirational for all pupils. Our capable admin team support our dedicated classroom staff and our effective pastoral team.

The school offers:

·         A friendly, supportive team environment where teamwork is at the heart of what we do

·         Opportunities for professional development and training

·         A values-based culture focused on inclusion, respect, and achievement

·         The chance to make a real difference to the lives of children and families in our community

What we are looking for:

•  A capable, organised administrator with experience in school office management and financial processes
• Someone who is supportive of staff, approachable and a true team player
• Strong skills in financial management, administration, and premises oversight
• A commitment to upholding the ethos and values of Someries Junior School
• Someone who is friendly, caring and hardworking, modelling our values in all that they do.

Applicants should be able to use their own initiative, be innovative, proactive and work well as part of a team. The successful applicant will be friendly, hardworking and have a good sense of humour. 

If you share our commitment to teamwork, high standards, and supporting every child and member of staff, we would love to hear from you.

Visiting the school:

To get a flavour of life at Someries Juniors and to discuss the role further, please visit us for a tour with our head teacher, Jason Hunt.  To arrange this please contact our current business manager Dawn Dudley -  on 01582 738810 or admin@someriesjuniorschool.co.uk

For further insight to life at Someries Juniors, please visit our Facebook page or our website at www.someriesjuniorschool.co.uk.  We look forward to meeting you!

If you have worked at a school, please ensure that you give as a referee your current or most recent head teacher.

Closing Date:                     Monday 9 February 2025 (4:30pm)

Interview Date:                w/c 23 February 2026

 PLEASE WRITE YOUR PERSONAL STATEMENT IN YOUR OWN WORDS - if your statement appears to be written by AI, then we may reject your application. 

Applicants for this public-facing post will need to demonstrate the ability to converse, and provide effective help or advice, fluently in spoken English.  The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment.  Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS).  CVs will not be accepted for any posts based in schools.