Bursar

Halstead, Essex
Blenheim Schools

St Margaret’s Preparatory School, Essex

Salary: Up to £55,000 per annum (52 weeks)
Hours: 40 hours per week Full-Year
Contract: Permanent

The core purpose of the Bursar is to provide professional leadership in the management of the school, daily and continuing support to the Head, and to deputise for her in her absence. This will promote a secure foundation from which to achieve high standards in all aspects of the school’s work. The Bursar must play a lead role in establishing a culture that promotes outstanding individual achievement, equality and high expectations for all pupils. The Bursar is a leading professional in the school, accountable to the Head. The Bursar assists in providing vision, leadership and direction for the school and helps to ensure that it is managed to meet its aims and targets. Working with the Head and others, the Bursar will support evaluation of the school’s performance to identify the priorities for continuous improvement and raising standards, ensuring equality of opportunity for all and developing policies and practices. The Bursar will take a shared responsibility for creating a productive learning environment which is engaging and fulfilling for all pupils.

Liaison with parents and other external professionals is a crucial part of the role, and it is expected that this element of the role is taken proactively and positively. It is recognised that the building of relationships is critical to underpinning the role of Bursar.

The strategic direction of the school

• Undertake full responsibility for all matters relating to the school in the absence of the Head and the Deputy Head.
• Line manage and act as Performance Management reviewer for staff identified by the Head
• Support the Head in developing and maintaining high morale and confidence amongst all staff and set an example of high professional standards and leadership
• Support the Head to ensure that the range, quality and use of all available resources is monitored, evaluated and reviewed to improve the quality of education for all provide value for money
• Communicate relevant information to all staff in a timely and organised manner
• Undertake other reasonable duties related to the day to day administration of the school as requested by the Head

The role

The following list is by no means exhaustive; the Bursar will understand and appreciate the need for flexibility in their adherence to this list, which may include any other aspect of school leadership under the direction of the Head.

• Overview and leadership of any and all aspects of bursarial management of the school, including payroll, invoicing, purchasing, ordering, credit control, budgeting, petty cash, banking
• Ensure that fees are settled in a timely manner, and manage debtors
• Management of financial awards including hardship bursaries
• Provide relevant information to the Finance Manager in relation to monthly management accounts
• Responsibility for all aspects of regulatory compliance with the exception of academic, pastoral and safeguarding
• Line management responsibility for administrative, estates and catering colleagues
• Overview and lead responsibility for Health & Safety, including leading the Health & Safety Committee
• Fire risk management, assessment and safety procedures, including responsibility for termly Fire Drills and appointment of Fire Marshalls
• Responsibility for annual Lockdown Drill, ensuring that all colleagues understand the process and what is expected
• Ensure relevant policies and procedures are up to date and reviewed annually
• Oversight of administrative office staff and function
• Estates and catering management, including working with relevant external bodies in relation to the building’s listed status
• Local Authority funding – liaison with SEND department and Las in respect to EHCP and Pupil Premium funding
• Payroll – preparation, management and organisation, including the inclusion of new colleagues, leavers and absence/unpaid leave management
• Recruitment of new staff including advertising, interview process and contract preparation
• Ensure all contracts are appropriate, relevant and up to date
• Oversight of holiday club schemes
• Overview of the letting of school premises to external organisations and individuals
• Oversight of marketing and admissions
• Oversight of ICT

Accountability

• Attend Senior Leadership Team meetings on a weekly basis, as well as daily catchup with the Head
• Support in the development of and present a coherent, understandable and accurate account of the school’s performance in relation to specific roles (e.g. DSL, pastoral, behaviour)
• Reflect on personal contribution to school achievements and take account of feedback from others
• Fulfil all commitments arising from contractual accountability

Blenheim Schools is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to safer recruitment checks, including an enhanced DBS check. Our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy is available on the school website. Details on Recruitment of Ex-Offenders is included within the Application Guidance.

We are an equal opportunities employer committed to diversity and treating all employees with dignity and respect regardless of background.

Early applications are encouraged, we reserve the right to interview and appoint prior to closing date for the right applicant.