Administrative Officer

Harris Federation

Hours
37.5 hours per week

Start date
September 2026

About the Organisation

The founder and sponsor of the Harris Federation, Lord Harris of Peckham, opened our first school in 1990. We have, over the past thirty years, implemented ideas and initiatives that have transformed the opportunities of pupils from working-class and disadvantaged backgrounds. Harris academies are widely recognised as a force for social mobility.

We are immensely proud of the role that our alumni are now beginning to play in the world and of what we believe our current generation of pupils will go on to achieve. The Harris Federation has a track record of accomplishment in achieving success through rapid school improvement and has built an unrivalled reputation for running outstanding academies.

We now have 54 schools educating more than 40,000 young people across London and Essex, and employ over 5,000 staff across our academies and head office. With the majority of our academies located in areas of high socioeconomic disadvantage, a high-quality education is key to the futures of the pupils we serve.

About the role

We are looking for a dedicated and detail-oriented individual to join Harris Girls' Academy East Dulwich as an Administrative Assistant. Working under the instruction and guidance of senior staff to provide general administrative and financial support to the school, you will either have experience in an administrative role or be looking to take your first step in an administrative support role within an educational environment.

Responsibilities

Main Areas of Responsibility:

• Support educational visits
• To complete the first day of absence, call all students who are absent, recording reasons for absence
• Undertake reception duties, answering general telephone and face-to-face enquiries, signing in visitors, dealing with parental and visitor enquiries and supporting student enquiries (covering reception duties upon absence)
• Provide first aid/welfare/Medical support, looking after sick pupils, liaising with parents/staff etc
• Provide general clerical/admin support. photocopying, filing, e-mailing, completing various forms, responding to routine correspondence
• Maintain manual and computerised records/management information systems
• Produce reports/lists/information/data as required
• Undertake typing, word processing and other IT-based tasks e.g.
• Assist in maintaining/collating pupil files and reports
• Provide timely and effective administrative support to the Office Manager / SLT / Head of Academy
• Assist the Academy by maintaining good relationships with pupils, staff, parents/carers, governors, contractors, representatives and external agencies in order to promote the objectives of the School
• Other duties as may reasonably be requested by the Office Manager / SLT/ Head of Academy

Other Duties:

• Apply Health & Safety Officer training, carrying out set weekly inspections with Site Staff, giving guidance/recommendations, ensuring
• Ensure the Academy website is updated timeously
• Be aware of and comply with Academy policies and procedures, ensuring all updates are issued for the Academy
• Be a role model for the Academy’s values.
• Contribute to the overall ethos of the Academy and be committed to helping students access learning.
• Engage actively in the Academy’s performance management system;
• Participate in in-service training as appropriate and commit to your own continuous professional development.

Academy Ethos:

• To undertake such other duties as may be required, commensurate with the level of responsibility of the post
• To engage actively in the performance review process, addressing appraisal targets set in conjunction with the line manager each autumn term
• To participate in training and other professional development learning activities as required.
• To promote equal opportunities and celebrate diversity in all aspects of the academy.
• To play a full part in the life of the academy community, to support its distinctive aim and ethos and to encourage staff and students to follow this example.
• To support and attend academy events such as the Open Evening.
• To promote the academy’s corporate policies actively.
• To adhere to the academy’s Dress Code.
• To comply with the academy’s Health and Safety policy and undertake risk assessments as appropriate.
• To be familiar with and promote safeguarding requirements, demonstrating adherence to the DfE Guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education and the academy’s Safeguarding/Child Protection policies.
• To be aware of and comply with all academy and Federation policies and procedures, in particular those relating to conduct, child protection (as above), health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection, and reporting all concerns to an appropriate person.

Skills, Competencies, Experience & Attributes

Experience:

• Delivering a high-quality service
• Range of general administrative duties
• Good ICT skills and experience, including Word, Excel, and management information systems
• Working with children of the relevant age

Skills:

• Ability to relate well to children
• Flexibility and the ability to respond to multiple demands and to prioritise
• Ability to work well with colleagues and parents
• High level of adaptability to changing demands
• Work constructively as part of a team
• Ability to plan and organise work to meet varying deadlines
• Ability to work on one's own and take initiative
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

Education & Qualifications:

• Good standard of general education, including literacy and numeracy skills

Personal Qualities:

• High degree of professionalism
• High level of initiative and enthusiasm
• Calm and steady manner
• Strong commitment to education and pupils
• Positive role model for pupils
• Taking personal responsibility and commitment to providing a quality support service
• Methodical and organised
• Commitment to one's own continuous improvement and development
• Acceptable professional appearance at all times
• Maintaining confidentiality on Academy matters.

Required Qualifications

• NVQ2 or equivalent qualification or experience in a relevant discipline

Compensation & Benefits

• Performance and Loyalty Bonus
• Harris Wellbeing Cash Plan
• Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Additional Harris Benefits

Working locations

• Hybrid model, working in the London office and remotely

How to apply

• Please apply online and submit your application. We accept applications only via our careers website, submitted before the closing date. Please refer to the last page of this candidate pack and our website for guidance on applying to opportunities within the Federation.

Policies

The Harris Federation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates. We value the diversity of our staff and students, and everyone at the Harris Federation is equally valued and respected. We aim to be an inclusive employer that reflects the communities we serve. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment.

The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, references, an online search, and, where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed.

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