School Administrator

Salary: OHCAT Inner London PayScale, Grade: Sc4/5, (£31,977.00 - £36,958.00)

Location: Nightingale Community Academy, Priory Lane Satellite Site, London, SW15 5RT

Working Pattern: Full Time, Permanent (All Year-Round)

Start Date: April 2026

Nightingale Community Academy is a special school in Wandsworth, providing education for boys aged between 5 to 19 with social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs. Our primary pupils benefit from a purpose-built classroom hub, an outdoor adventure playground, weekly music lessons, and a comprehensive therapy service. Secondary and post-16 students have access to a broad curriculum, including vocational courses such as motor vehicle studies, construction, horticulture, and hospitality. All pupils also enjoy regular animal therapy sessions at Tom’s Farm, located on our expansive school grounds.

Staff at Nightingale Community Academy take pride in the development of young people in a safe and stimulating environment and are offered a rewarding and varied career in return.

We are excited to announce the development of a new satellite site, opening after Easter 2026. This provision will offer up to 72 secondary places for boys and girls, introduced through a phased build-up over three years. Joining the team at this new site provides a unique opportunity to help shape a brand new provision from the ground up, creating a safe, supportive, and inspiring environment for students from day one.

We are seeking an experienced, enthusiastic, and highly organised School Administrator to play a vital role in setting up and supporting the smooth day-to-day running of our new satellite site.

Key Responsibilities:

-Provide efficient administrative and clerical support to the IS, Assessments, and Clinical teams, ensuring accurate records, reports, and correspondence are maintained.

-Coordinate meetings, appointments, and school events, including diary management, minute-taking, and travel arrangements.

-Manage office resources, deliveries, and filing systems to maintain an organised and well-run school environment.

-Support recruitment and staff induction processes, liaising with agencies and preparing induction materials.

-Assist with assessments, EHCP reporting, and general administrative tasks to support the effective operation of the school.

Key Requirements:

-GCSE grade A – C English and Maths or equivalent

-Previous experience in a school administration or office-based role (experience within an SEMH or SEN setting desirable).

-Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise tasks and manage a busy workload effectively.

-Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with a calm and empathetic approach.

-Confident using IT systems and school management software

-A proactive, flexible, and positive attitude, with a commitment to safeguarding and supporting the needs of all pupils.

OHCAT is an exciting, forward-thinking organisation, and we offer many benefits to attract and keep our staff, contributing towards maintaining and improving wellbeing, and encouraging our required behaviours, achievements, values, and skills. Below is just a selection of the benefits available to our employees:

Rewards & Benefits:

-Pathways for progression within the trust, ensuring you can grow and thrive in a supportive and inclusive environment.

-Pension Scheme - you will be enrolled in either the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) or the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS), both offering life cover and financial protection for your family.

-Salary Sacrifice Schemes (Cycle Scheme and Home Electronics Scheme)

-Employee Wellbeing - We support employee wellbeing with access to counselling, mental health support, generous leave, flexible working, and enhanced parental leave including Employee Assistance Programme, MyGym Discounts, Corporate Eyecare Scheme

-Employee Discounts (Blue Light Card, Costco Membership, Discounts for Teachers, and more)

-Other (Season Ticket Loan and Employee Referral Scheme)

Find out what makes Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust a truly rewarding place to work - visit our ‘Work for Us’ page to hear from our Chief Executive Officer, John Prior, and watch inspiring messages from students and parents about the difference our staff make every day.

Our Trust:

Nightingale Community Academy is part of Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust. We are a family of specialist education providers from pre-school through to further education across London, Surrey, Sussex and Berkshire and fully represent all designations of special education needs and disabilities (SEND). To find out more about us, and what makes us a special place to work please visit our website.

We are committed to promoting and advancing equality of opportunity by attracting and retaining the most diverse range of students, staff and partners.

Working together to transform lives is what we do and across the whole organisation we have a range of experts and practitioners who advocate for children and young people with SEND to ensure they receive the best possible opportunities to achieve their full potential.

As a large specialist education provider we employ over 1500 people across our schools, college and central support team. There is a wide range of job roles available, ranging from teaching and therapy to business support roles and significant career progression opportunities.

It is an exciting time to be part of OHCAT and we are keen to recruit talented people who can play a key role in realising our mission and who want to make a difference. In return, we offer training and development, competitive pay and benefits in a positive and inclusive working environment.

Closing Date: 3rd February 2026

Interviews will take place on: The Week Commencing 9th February 2026

Safeguarding Statement

Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Appointments made will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.

Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer, committed to creating an inclusive and supportive workplace for all.