Operational Support Assistant

Based at St Martin's School, Brentwood, Essex (DET Central Team office)

37 hours per week, all year round

Essex Scale 5 (pt 10 - 13): £29,361 - £30,776 FTE inc. Fringe Allowance

We are seeking an enthusiastic, organised and reliable Administrator to join our central Trust team, providing high-quality administrative support across Finance, Estates and Operations. This is a varied and rewarding role, offering the opportunity to work collaboratively with colleagues across our Trust and academies to support the smooth and effective running of our services.

You will play an important role in supporting the day-to-day work of the Finance, Estates and Operations teams, ensuring information is accurate, up to date and readily accessible. You will assist with financial administration, support estates-related processes and record keeping, and help coordinate operational activities, responding to queries and liaising with colleagues, suppliers and other stakeholders as required. You will also contribute to the preparation of reports, the maintenance of effective filing systems and the consistent application of Trust policies and procedures.

We are looking for someone who is highly organised, detail-focused and proactive, with the ability to manage competing priorities and work accurately to deadlines. You will have strong communication and administrative skills, a confident approach to using IT systems and the initiative to resolve routine issues, identify potential problems and escalate matters appropriately. Above all, you will be committed to providing a responsive, professional and helpful service to colleagues across the Trust.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys working as part of a collaborative team and takes pride in delivering efficient, accurate and high-quality administrative support. Most importantly, you will contribute to the effective management of the Trust's resources, estates and operations, helping to ensure our schools are well supported and able to deliver the best possible outcomes for our pupils.

Please note that this is a year-round post (not a term-time position).

Information about the School

Discovery Educational Trust, formed in 2014, is a successful and established multi-academy trust based in South Essex, comprising just under 4000 pupils and 500 staff, across 5 schools.

Our schools are:

• Chase High School (Westcliff-on-Sea)
• St. Martin's School (Brentwood)
• Hogarth Primary School (Brentwood)
• Kelvedon Hatch Community Primary School (Brentwood)
• Larchwood Primary School (Brentwood)

We aim for each of our schools to become the school of choice within the community, offering a broad and exciting range of extracurricular activities to enhance the opportunities within their formal curriculum.

Our vision is that strong and effective leadership places our children and young people at the heart of everything we do. We value relationships, which are open and honest, underpinned by kindness, trustworthiness and compassion.

We offer ongoing training and professional development for all staff in a supportive and collaborative environment.

We offer the following benefits for employees:

• Pension scheme - also automatically includes Life Assurance
• Generous Referral Bonus for employees who refer quality candidates to join Discovery Educational Trust
• Two-week October half term (term time staff)
• Employee savings and discounts
• Employee Assistance Programme - free confidential wellbeing support for employees and dependants
• Mental Health First Aiders - we have qualified MHFA England trainers within the Trust and continue to add to our pool of trained MHFAs
• Bike2Work scheme
• Ongoing training and professional development in a supportive and collaborative environment
• Gifted Service Leave for long service
• Health Cash plan to support with every day healthcare costs - e.g. dental, optical, physiotherapy. Includes Virtual GP service

As an equal opportunities employer, Discovery Educational Trust is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age; disability; gender re-assignment; marriage and civil partnership; pregnancy and maternity; race (which includes ethnic origin, nationality and ethnic or national origins); religion or belief; sex; and sexual orientation. We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join Discovery Educational Trust.

Discovery Educational Trust is committed to safeguarding our pupils against radicalisation and extremism and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

In compliance with safer recruitment procedures and guidelines, all applications must be made on an application form, CVs will not be accepted. It is an offence to apply for a role if barred from regulated activity. This appointment will be subject to pre-employment checks including an enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service and satisfactory references. Please note that online checks will also be carried out.

We welcome prospective applicants to arrange either a visit to the school/trust, or an informal telephone conversation, prior to submitting an application. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the role and our school community. Please email us to arrange (recruitment@discoveryeducationaltrust.co.uk).