Job Description

Kennet School

West Berkshire

Salary:

17.29 to 26.85 per hour depending on experience and qualifications

Job type:

Full Time, Permanent

Apply by:

11 August 2025

Job overview

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We are seeking a dynamic and detail-oriented

Business Operations Manager

to join our supportive team. This pivotal role combines strong organisational leadership with strategic clerking, helping to ensure the smooth running of key school functions and governance.

Hours: 37 hours per week Term Time only plus ten occasional days Occasional evening meetings.

Your key responsibilities will include:

Providing comprehensive HR support across recruitment, absence management, policy implementation, and employee relations Ensuring the effective administration and recording of all HR processes and employee data Line management of some of the school's administrative teams, supporting effective workload distribution, training, and performance monitoring Acting as the professional Clerk to the Governing Body: preparing agendas, taking accurate minutes, and advising on governance procedures and compliance Providing clerking support for Governor Disciplinary Panels and formal hearings, ensuring accurate record-keeping and procedural guidance Supporting the Headteacher and senior leadership team with confidential and timely administrative advice

What we're looking for:

CIPD Level 3 (or willingness to train) Experience in HR or school business administration, with previous people management experience desirable Level 3 Certificate in Clerking of School and Academy Governing Boards (or willingness to undertake this training) Strong understanding of GDPR, safeguarding, and UK employment law Excellent communication, organisational, and IT skills A flexible and professional approach, with the ability to manage sensitive matters with integrity

We offer:

A warm and welcoming school environment Opportunities for professional development and accredited training Support to gain or complete recognised qualifications relevant to the role The opportunity to shape and strengthen the administrative and governance functions of our school


Kennet School is a highly oversubscribed and ambitious academy, which seeks staff who are keen to contribute to the fuller life of the school. If you're undecided about applying, we would love to welcome you for an informal visit at your convenience.

To Apply:

The easiest way to apply is by accessing the role on www.TES.com and clicking the 'Quick Apply' button. Alternatively, you can download our application form from the 'Join Kennet' section of our website and send your completed document to hr@kennetschool.co.uk

Closing Date: 9 am Monday, 11 August 2025 with interviews scheduled for Thursday, 14 August 2025

Kennet School is committed to equal opportunities, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all employees, governors, trainees and volunteers to share in this commitment. We value diverse backgrounds, life experiences and perspectives and have a supportive and inclusive organisational culture. We would like our organisation to be representative of our community and the users of our services and welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds. We seek employees who are keen to contribute to the fuller life of this over-subscribed and ambitious school. Successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check and, in line with KCSIE 2024, a social media check will be undertaken to validate details applicants have given to support a job application.

About

Kennet School

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Kennet School

Stoney Lane, Thatcham
Berkshire
RG19 4LL
United Kingdom

+44 1635 862 121

Welcome to Kennet School's Career Site

Explore what makes Kennet School a unique and rewarding place to build your career. Here, you'll find all the details on our values, culture and current vacancies.

Our Vision and Beliefs

At Kennet School, learning is at the heart of everything we do. Whilst many schools make this claim, for us, it's a defining principle that guides our approach every day. Kennet is a vibrant, supportive and purposeful place to work, offering diverse career opportunities across a wide range of roles. Our staff includes forward-thinking, creative educators who are genuinely passionate about their subjects. Our motto, Excellence through Endeavour, isn't just for our pupils; it's a guiding value for our entire community.



We value a welcoming and rewarding atmosphere, reflected in the number of staff who progress into leadership roles or return to Kennet after gaining experience elsewhere. Staff at Kennet live by educationalist Dylan Wiliam's mantra: "If we create a culture where every teacher believes they need to improve, not because they aren't good enough but because they could be even better, there is no limit to what we can achieve."

Our History

Founded in 1957, Kennet School has grown into a vibrant, ambitious 11-18 comprehensive school. Today, we serve around 1,800 pupils, with a thriving Sixth Form of approximately 350 students. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in numerous awards and accreditations, including Artsmark Platinum, Exceptional Schools Award, Music Mark School, and the Sandwell Well-Being Charter Mark, which focuses on the mental health and well-being across our organisation.

Commitment to Professional Growth

Kennet School is dedicated to cultivating professional growth, investing in our staff with development resources far above the national average. From NPQs and Leadership apprenticeships to MA programmes, we are committed to helping every team member reach their full potential.



Our new staff and Early Career Teacher (ECT) programmes are tailored to individual needs, offering mentorship, shadowing opportunities and exposure to diverse school roles. As the local cluster lead for ECT training in partnership with UCL, we provide dedicated weekly mentor meetings and at least three professional development sessions each half term.

Benefits

High quality professional growth programmes and clear opportunities for progression Supportive culture with lesson observation and coaching Career support tailored to all levels of experience State-of-the-art facilities and resources Discount at our onsite Leisure Centre Cycle to Work scheme FREE access to Office 365 & Adobe Creative Cloud FREE IT training courses Discounted vehicle breakdown cover Childcare support

But don't just take our word for it... read the quotes below and see Kennet in action via our whole school video.

Recruitment Process

We are seeking to secure the best possible teachers for our school and so will usually interview within a week of the closing date. Interview schedules vary depending on role and subject but full details will be sent to candidates following shortlisting. All interviews include a tour of the school site and an opportunity to meet key staff members.

Speculative Enquiries and Visits

As an outward looking organisation, we are always keen to have conversations with teachers about their careers and potential opportunities at Kennet. Equally, if you have seen a vacancy and are considering an application, we would encourage you to come and see the school in action. For more information contact Mrs Cambridge (Head's PA) on scambridge@kennetschool.co.uk.

Further Information

Please visit our website.Please note that you are wholly responsible for fact checking in respect of the information provided by schools. Please also check for the latest visa and work permit requirements that may apply. Tes is not responsible for the content of advertisements or the policies adopted by advertising schools. Tes asks that all schools follow

Tes' Fair Recruitment Policy

.