Director of Finance and Resources - Full-time

The Ifield School, Gravesend

• Ref:KCC886-7039-538L
• Posted:28/04/2025
• Pay:KR10 to KR12 (£37,374 to £58,491) Depending on Exp
• Start Date:September 2025
• App Close Date:14/05/2025 at 09:00
• Interviews:TBC

Advert

We are seeking to appoint an experienced and skilled professional to the post of Director of Finance and Resources in our outstanding Special School, from September 2025.

Ifield School is federated with King’s Farm Primary School, known as The Cedar Federation.

The successful candidate will work in close collaboration with both Headteachers and other members of the Leadership Team. They will provide strategic leadership and management of the operational business of Ifield School and manage a budget in excess of £7 million.

We welcome applications from colleagues with extensive knowledge of complex financial procedures, regulations and business management (including HR) in a school environment.

This is an opportunity for an enthusiastic person to work with an experienced staff team in our Special School. If you are keen to apply your skills and experience to have a positive impact on the lives of our pupils, then we would like to hear from you.

 What we can offer the candidate:

• Membership of an experienced and consistently high-quality leadership team
• The support of a highly skilled and motivated staff team
• Entitlement to Kent Rewards and KCC employee benefit scheme

• Enrolment in local Government Pension Scheme
• Whole school focus on Mental Health and Wellbeing with access to key services, including a free counselling support line
• Opportunity to further develop your skills and expertise with access to a comprehensive CPD programme
• A supportive Governing Body with valuable skills and expertise.

The candidate must have:

• An extensive knowledge of complex financial procedures, regulations and business management (including HR) and would ideally be educated to Degree level/NVQ level 5 (or equivalent) and hold a full professional CCAB-Qualified Accountant qualification, DSBM or Level 5 Diploma for School Business Leaders
• A high level of interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to interpret, apply and give advice on complex financial issues
• Detailed and authoritative knowledge and experience in financial procedures, payroll and accountancy

• Be a strategic thinker and have significant, proven business administration and management experience together with knowledge and awareness of how to form and develop successful marketing strategies and some knowledge of premises/estate management
• Enthusiastic about supporting and working with pupils with profound, severe and complex needs.

Visits are important and we would encourage you to come and meet us and experience our unique environment. Please call Gemma Waghorn, HR Lead, on 01474-365485 to arrange a visit.

Shortlisted candidates will be required to complete a Self-Disclosure Form and in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education, will also be subject to an online search.

Ifield School and all its personnel are fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children and young people. This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure Application to the Disclosure and Barring Service and against the ISA Barred List for Children including overseas criminal background checks where applicable. Appointments will be subject to satisfactory recruitment and vetting checks, including two references, one of which must be your current or most recent employer.

Ifield School reserves the right to close this advertisement early if a number of suitable applications are received.

Information about the school

Ifield School is a Foundation co-educational school for pupils aged 4 to 19 years of age with Profound, Severe and Complex learning needs, including Communication and Interaction difficulties. The majority of pupils have learning difficulties associated with Autism, Speech, Language and Communication and, in addition, some pupils have complex medical conditions.

Ifield School is federated with King’s Farm Primary School.

Ifield Nursery was established in 2007 and is based at King’s Farm Primary School. It is a joint Early Years provision for pupils aged from 2 to 5 years old. This setting enables the pupils to learn and play alongside their mainstream peers whilst formal assessments are completed and all pupils at the nursery benefit from the resources and facilities that Ifield School offers.

Ifield School has a strong collaboration with North Kent College located 1.9 miles from the school site. 16 – 19 year old students attend Ifield Sixth Form based at North Kent College. LINK stands for “Learning With Ifield and North Kent” and reflects the close working partnership that exists between Ifield School and North Kent College. Students who attend The LINK Centre have a building and resources that have been specifically tailored to support their learning and medical needs. The students follow a highly personalised curriculum within a safe and secure environment and are also able to enjoy the benefits of the college’s restaurant and library facilities. Sixth Form students focus on preparing for adulthood and securing the outcomes identified on their Education, Health and Care Plans. Many of the students leave Ifield’s Sixth Form to attend courses at other colleges of further education or to move into employment.

Ifield School initiated a Post 19 provision in September 2014 as a pilot to focus on learners working towards independence and employability, while strengthening mathematics and English skills. LINK19 College Ltd was formed in January 2018 for 19-25 year olds. LINK19 College is a separate provision to Ifield School, but cohabits the same building as Ifield’s Sixth Form.

Job Contact Information

• Name:Gemma Waghorn
• Address:Cedar Avenue, Gravesend , Kent, DA12 5JT
• Telephone: 01474 365485
• Email: gwaghorn@ifield.kent.sch.uk

Documents

Below are documents that have been added to this vacancy.

• Director of Finance and Resources Job Description