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SalaryThis role has a starting salary of £31,262 per annum based on a 36 hour working week and is offered as a six-month fixed-term contract or secondment opportunity.
We are excited to be hiring two new School Admission Officers to join our fantastic School Admissions team. The team is based at Quadrant Court in Woking.
This role is open to hybrid-working meaning you aren't required in the office 5 days a week. In support of our people and our greener futures strategies, we’d welcome a conversation with the successful candidate on what remote working may look like for you.
Rewards and Benefits
- 26 days’ holiday (prorated for part time staff), rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 30 days after 5 years’ service
- Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
- An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
- Up to 5 days of carer’s leave per year
- Paternity, adoption and dependants leave
- A generous local government salary related pension
- Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more
- 2 paid volunteering days plus 1 team volunteering day per year
- Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
About the Team
The School Admissions Officer sits within the School Admissions team, which has responsibility for:
- Delivering the mainstream School Admissions service for all schools
- Co-ordinating normal rounds admissions
- Managing the in-year admissions service
- Arranging placement of challenging and vulnerable children under the Fair Access Protocol
- Tracking and monitoring applications up to the date children start school
- Identifying and referring children who might be missing education
These are complex areas of work which are heavily regulated. The admissions process has statutory application and offer dates which must be met, creating a fast-paced and challenging environment. Relevant statutory guidance is issued by the Department for Education and includes the School Admissions Code, the School Admissions Appeals Code, guidance on the admission of summer born children, guidance on applications for overseas children, guidance on Fair Access Protocols, Home to School Travel and Transport Guidance and Children Missing Education.
About the Role
The role of School Admissions Officer is very varied, but you can expect to be involved in the following:
- Processing in-year school applications
- Being involved in the annual new-round process for allocating school places
- Preparing the written case for school appeals, particularly in the summer term
- Working closely with the other Officers to ensure weekly tasks are completed and statutory deadlines are met
- Communicating with parents and schools by email, letter, in person and over the phone
This is a challenging role which comes with a strong sense of purpose and an opportunity to make a real difference for the communities we serve. We're therefore looking for people who can communicate effectively in writing, over the phone and face to face. This will include liaising with parents, headteachers and other school staff and other local authorities. In this role you will provide comprehensive advice on individual school applications, Surrey’s School Admission policies and the current availability of school places with regard to admissions and transport legislation and Surrey’s policies and processes.
Shortlisting Criteria
To be considered for shortlisting for this position, your application will clearly evidence the following:
- Practical knowledge and experience of working within the service area of School Admissions, including relevant legislation, processes and procedures
- Ability to manage and prioritise a caseload, working towards challenging statutory deadlines
- Effective communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills, honed to deal with a diverse range of customers and partners
- Competent IT skills, including Word and Excel and database management systems
- Ability to work effectively and flexibly as part of a team
- Familiarity with the principles of safeguarding and data protection
Does this sound like a career you'd be interested in? If so, we look forward to receiving your application!
Contact Us
Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment. For an informal discussion please contact Ishbel Bouchez by e-mail at Ishbel.Bouchez@surreycc.gov.uk
The job advert closes at 23:59 on 08/01/2024 with interviews to follow.
We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.
Our Values
Our values are as important as our abilities and shape who we are as an organisation. Discover more about our values.
Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description. Our Life at Surrey handbook also attached provides insights of the culture at Surrey and how as a valued employee, you can help shape our Council.
Our Commitment
Surrey County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. A guaranteed interview will be offered to all disabled applications where:
- The candidate has evidenced the minimum criteria for the role through their application
- The candidate has chosen to share that they have a disability on the application form
Our application form and onboarding process will provide an opportunity to request any reasonable adjustments for the interview and/or the role.
We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all underrepresented groups.
