Office Manager & PA to SLT - Full-time - Special Needs Position

Hope View School, Canterbury

• Ref:KCC886-6123-157S
• Posted:17/08/2026
• Pay:£23,000 - £26,000 per annum (not pro rata)
• Start Date:September 2026
• App Close Date:31/08/2026 at 16:00
• Interviews:TBC

Advert

Are you an organised and proactive individual with a passion for supporting senior leaders and ensuring the smooth running of a busy office environment?  Hope View School are seeking an enthusiastic Office Manager & Personal Assistant to the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) from September 2026.

Main Responsibilities:

• Act as the first point of contact for all communications with parents, carers, staff, and outside agencies, managing telephone and email correspondence with professionalism and discretion.
• Relay information to relevant parties and ensure all communications are logged accurately and securely.
• Contact absentees, log interactions, and notify the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) of any concerns or persistent absenteeism.
• Oversee the Arbor system, monitor register completion, and send notifications regarding incomplete registers.
• Prepare and send evacuation registers to the SLT and provide first aid support as required.
• Coordinate welfare checks for Looked After Children (LAC) and manage deliveries and post.
• Provide comprehensive administrative support to the Senior Leadership Team, including diary management, minute-taking, organising meetings, and confidential document handling.

Person Specification:

• Excellent organisational and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, maintaining a high level of confidentiality and professionalism.
• Previous experience in an office management or PA role (preferably in an educational setting) is desirable.
• Proficiency in IT systems and office software.

The role is predominately term time only however, the successful candidate will be required to be in school during the summer holidays for up to 10 days to carry out tasks which may include the coordination of the release of examination results and preparation for the new academic year.

If you are motivated, reliable, and eager to contribute to a positive school environment, we would love to hear from you. Please submit your CV, application form and covering letter by Friday 28^th August detailing your relevant experience and why you would be the ideal candidate for this role.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. An enhanced DBS check will be required for the successful applicant.

Salary: £23,000-£26,000 per annum (not pro rata)

Information about the school

Hope View School is an Independent Special School for boys with special educational needs including social, emotional and mental health difficulties, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) or Asperger’s Syndrome, speech, language and communication needs and moderate learning difficulties. Our Lower School is just outside Chartham and our Upper School site is in Chilham. Both sites are within close proximity to Canterbury, Ashford, Maidstone, Thanet and the Medway towns (Kent). The school is equipped to accommodate a total of 130 pupils aged between 7 and 18 years old across both sites. All pupils who attend the school have an Education and Health Care Plan. Our main aims are: To ensure, as far as possible, that each pupil placed at Hope View is given every opportunity to learn, be supported and be listened to. To support pupils in the development of their Literacy and Numeracy skills by increasing reading, spelling and numerate ability ages. To ensure pupils are well equipped by the time they leave Hope View to deal with working life, college, apprenticeships and are able to make a positive contribution to society. At Hope View we have high expectations of all of our pupils as well as firm boundaries. Pupils are expected to attend all lessons, be respectful and courteous to each other and staff. They are expected to communicate with us if they have an issue or are encountering difficulties. The ethos of Hope View is Firm, Fair, Friendly and Fun! All pupils have a voice and we insist that they are listened to, advised and supported by staff and pupils alike. Home/school contact is imperative to the successful development of all of our pupils. For this reason, we insist on maintaining close contact by telephone, email or face to face with parents, carers, and professionals involved in the personal development and the welfare of a pupil. Our door is always open to visitors with or without an appointment. We encourage visitors to experience for themselves the calm atmosphere and pleasant learning environment of Hope View. Our pupils are very proud of their school and welcome the opportunity to show it off to visitors whenever they can. Hope View School is a member of the National Association of Special Schools. The school follows the National Curriculum tailored to meet the needs of our pupils. Emphasis is placed on improving pupils’ reading, spelling and numeracy skills. All pupils are assessed in these areas upon entry to the school.

Job Contact Information

• Name:Mrs Carla Lorne
• Address:Station Approach, Chilham, Canterbury , Kent, CT4 8EG
• Telephone: 01227 7380000
• Email: hopeviewschool@btconnect.com