The posting
Salary: Support Staff Pay Scale D: £23,112 to £23,479 pro-rata per annum (Actual) (£26,427 - £26,847 full time/full year equivalent)
Full Time: 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday
Working Weeks: 39 weeks
Start Date: November 2026
Jane Austen College is seeking to appoint a dedicated Administration Assistant to join our team within our thriving, academic and inclusive school community.
The successful candidate will provide high quality administrative and pastoral support, working collaboratively with senior leaders, office staff, teachers, pupils, and parents. This role requires an efficient, professional, and positive approach to ensure the smooth operation of key school functions.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Serve as a visible and welcoming member of staff, greeting parents, visitors, and stakeholders in a professional manner.
- Respond promptly and effectively to telephone calls, emails, and general enquiries.
- Maintain office supplies, including the completion of purchase orders where required.
- Assist with the organisation and administration of school events such as parents’ evenings and open evenings.
- Support the planning, administrative processes, and financial arrangements related to school trips and afterschool activities.
- Undertake a range of administrative duties to ensure that office functions meet the needs of the school, with particular support to the attendance and pastoral teams.
- Provide assistance with reprographics, reception cover, and breaktime duties as required.
- Undertake first aid training and participate in the school’s rota of first aiders.
About You:
You will be an individual with strong organisational skills, excellent communication abilities, and a high level of attention to detail. You will demonstrate adaptability, effective problem solving skills, good time management, and confidence in working with a range of digital systems.
Essential:
- Good numeracy and literacy skills, including GCSE (or equivalent) in Maths and English.
- Experience working as a receptionist or in a front of house role.
- General administrative experience within a busy environment.
- Confidence in using Office 365, ICT equipment, and reprographics tools.
- Ability to work effectively in a fast paced setting.
Desirable:
- Basic knowledge of first aid.
- Prior experience of working in a school or with young people.
- Experience of financial administration, including purchase orders and invoicing.
- Knowledge of safeguarding procedures and expectations within an educational setting.
Why Join Inspiration Trust
At Inspiration Trust, we believe in the power of education to transform lives. You’ll be joining a supportive, forward-thinking organisation that values professional development, collaboration, and innovation. We provide opportunities for growth and empower you to make a real impact in schools across Norfolk and north Suffolk. As part of our thriving network of talented teachers, leaders, and support staff, you’ll receive a varied professional development programme designed to help you be the best you can be.
We offer:
- Generous annual leave, and access to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) with excellent employer contributions
- Health Plan and Employee Assistance Programme, including 24/7 virtual GP access, mental health support and claim-back options for healthcare costs *
- Cycle-to-work scheme, retail and theatre discounts (including discounted shopping vouchers, dentist and gym memberships), and salary sacrifice options (including home technology). *
- Free parking at most sites
- Personalised CPD and development programmes
- A structured and specific induction programme.
*Terms and conditions apply. Some benefits are only available following successfully passing probation.
About Us
Jane Austen College opened in 2014 as a flagship free school of the Inspiration Trust, with a focus on English and Humanities. Since then, it has grown from serving just two-year groups to become a full 11-18 school of over 1,000 pupils.
In May 2024, the college was rated Outstanding by Ofsted in all inspection areas, including leadership, behaviour and sixth form provision. Inspectors noted that pupils benefit from “exceptional academic education, excellent pastoral support and a character curriculum building life skills to see them succeed in progressing to some of the top universities in the country and into prosperous careers.”
The college prides itself on ensuring that all pupils, regardless of background or disadvantage, have access to powerful knowledge and transformative extracurricular experiences, as well as strong mental health and wellbeing support.
We are part of the Inspiration Trust; a thriving family of schools across Norfolk and North Suffolk, recognised nationally for pupil progress and excellence in teaching and leadership. We believe every young person deserves the best education, regardless of background. Inspiration Trust specialises in transforming schools in disadvantaged areas and taking academies from failing to outstanding.
The Trust offers extensive networks and opportunities to collaborate with a diverse range of schools and partners. We are committed to delivering outstanding professional and learning opportunities for all staff, supported by a rich programme of continuing professional development led by some of the country’s leading educational thinkers and practitioners.
For information on what it is like to live and work in Norwich, click here.
Next Steps
Before applying, please read the attached Recruitment Pack and Job Description, for more details about the role. We ask that you read this pack carefully, especially the “Planning your application” section from page 11. This will support your application ensuring you have the opportunity to tell us about your relevant skills, experience and qualifications that relate to the job description and person specification in addition to details of your references covering the last 5 years.
If you would like to know more about this exciting opportunity, then please contact Rowan Wood, PA to Principal ([email protected]).
To apply for this role please click the Apply button to complete the online application form.
When you start your application, you will receive several emails from our application provider, Vacancy Filler. Please be aware that some email providers may mistakenly mark these messages as spam. To avoid missing important updates, we recommend checking your spam or junk folders regularly throughout the application process and marking these emails as safe.
Closing date for applications: 9am on Friday 9th October 2026
Interview date: Friday 16th October 2026
Safeguarding and Equal Opportunities
Inspiration Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
All staff appointments are subject to satisfactory references and enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service checks. We are an equal opportunities employer.
