About Us

Finch Woods Academy is an Award Winning 11-16 specialist school for pupils with social, emotional, mental health and behavioural difficulties. We are a part of Manor Hall Academy Trust, which is an expanding Multi-Academy Trust, uniquely founded by a collaboration of special schools, united by a shared ethos, values, and collective aspirations. Guided by our commitment that Everyone Belongs, Learns and Grows, it truly is a special place to work. At the heart of our approach is mutual respect, where the exchange of best practice, expertise, support, and challenge thrives. We maintain high expectations across all aspects of our work, ensuring continuous growth and improvement.

Why Join us?

Joining Finch Woods Academy offers you the opportunity to be part of a forward-thinking organisation that specialises in providing education to children with special educational needs. Our inclusive, flexible and supportive culture, combined with a commitment to professional growth, provides abundant opportunities for learning and collaboration.

About the Opportunity

We are looking for an organised and proactive Finance and Payroll Officer to support the smooth running of our school office. In this varied role, you will lead on key administrative, finance and payroll processes, ensuring accurate record‑keeping, efficient systems and full compliance with Trust procedures.

You will support budgeting, financial monitoring, monthly reconciliations, and the day‑to‑day running of HR and payroll tasks, including maintaining staff records, safer recruitment checks and payroll submissions. Working closely with the Senior Leadership Team and the Trust’s Central Support Team, you will help ensure the school operates efficiently and continues to provide a high‑quality service to staff, pupils and families.

If you are detail‑focused, adaptable, and enjoy working in a busy school environment, this is a fantastic opportunity to make a real impact.

We are looking for someone who is:

·       Organised, methodical and attentive to detail

·       Experienced in finance and administrative processes

·       Confident with ICT systems

·       Proactive and able to take responsibility

·       Skilled in managing confidential information

·       A supportive team member

·       Customer‑focused, with a friendly, professional and respectful approach when dealing with staff, pupils, families and external stakeholders.

·       Adaptable and open to change

·       An effective communicator, able to provide clear information, guidance and support to others.

·       Committed to high standards, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and consistent quality across all administrative, finance and HR tasks.

·       Motivated to work in a school environment

We Can Offer

·       Hybrid working, subject to local agreement

·       25 days annual leave plus 2 additional Trust Discretionary days, plus bank holidays (pro-rata), increasing with service

·       Excellent working environment

·       Generous local government pension scheme

·       Tech & Cycle to Work Schemes

·       Health and wellbeing support including ‘Think Well’, fast track counselling service & Physiotherapy

·       Eye-sight testing

·       Retail discounts in supermarkets, high street shops, restaurants and days out

How to Apply

Please apply via My New Term. We will acknowledge receipt of your application and notify you if you are shortlisted for an interview. We are reviewing applications on a rolling basis and actively interviewing, so we reserve the right to close the vacancy once we find the right candidate.

For an informal discussion about the role please contact Sarah Martin on smartin@mhat.org.uk, or to arrange a visit to Finch Woods Academy please contact us on 0151 2942707.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme

As a ‘Disability Confident’ employer, we are committed to ensuring disabled candidates are included in our recruitment process. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria of the role, we will invite you to interview. Please let us know if you are eligible for this scheme at the application stage.

Don’t meet every single requirement?

At Manor Hall Trust, we are committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. If you’re excited about this role but don’t meet every single requirement in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be the perfect candidate for this or another role within our organisation.

If you are successful after shortlisting, you will be provided with the full details of the recruitment and selection process, together will the timeline.

We look forward to receiving your application!

Manor Hall Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment. Child safety recruitment procedures operate and appointment is subject to satisfactory references, enhanced DBS, qualifications check and all other relevant employment checks. Please also note that if you are shortlisted for the role, we may conduct an online search as part of our due diligence on shortlisted candidates. This may help to identify any incidents or issues that have happened, and are publicly available online, which may indicate that you are unsuitable to work with children, and that we may want to explore with you at interview. You will find our policies (including Safeguarding, Safer Recruitment and Disclosure of a Criminal Conviction) here Policies - Manor Hall Academy Trust