Office Manager - Maternity Cover

The main responsibilities for this role include:

• Provide PA support to the Head of School, including correspondence, scheduling, and meeting administration.
• Lead and manage the school office, overseeing daily operations and support staff.
• Oversee payroll administration, including contracts, salaries, timesheets, and staff absence tracking.
• Manage pupil information systems (Arbor), ensuring accurate attendance, census returns, and data compliance.
• Act as the key liaison for parents, staff, external agencies, and the Eden Academy Trust community.
• Ensure efficient administrative systems and compliance, including recruitment, safeguarding checks, and record keeping.

Please see the attached job description and person specification to find out more about the essential and desirable requirements for this role.

George Hastwell School

George Hastwell School is situated on Walney Island in Barrow in Furness which itself is situated close to the Southern Lake District, in the County of Westmorland and Furness.

The school has 98 pupils across two sites, in close proximity. Key Stage 4 and 5 co locate within Walney Secondary School.

The school, which joined the Eden Academy Trust in January 2025, is very much a family school with a wonderful ethos.

The school was inspected in November 2024. The inspection found the school requiring improvement but recognised there were strengths within the school and that personal development across the school was good.

Staff are committed to the school’s journey of improvement and providing the best possible outcomes for the wonderful young people.

Location

George Hastwell School, located on Walney Island, situated in the Irish Sea just off the west coast of England, stretches over 11 miles, offering a delightful variety of beaches to explore and enjoy. It boasts expansive sandy stretches during low tide, connecting to the North Walney Nature Reserve through a series of sandy dunes. These beaches provide an excellent setting for family fun, nature exploration, and the opportunity to witness some of the UK’s most breathtaking sunsets.

GHS is linked to Barrow in Furness by the Jubilee Bridge spanning the Walney Channel, being the largest island among the Furness Islands group. Walney Island has played a pivotal role in the growth of the Furness Peninsula and the island’s natural shelter serves as a crucial factor in the development of the nearby extensive shipbuilding yards.

If you would like more information please email josieharkin@georgehastwell.org.uk or visit our vacancy section of our website (https://georgehastwell.org.uk/contact-us/vacancies/).

George Hastwell School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Therefore, an enhanced DBS check including the barred list will be required for the successful candidate and other procedures and checks will be followed as laid out in our Safeguarding Policy

Diversity Statement

At Eden Academy Trust, we value and actively embrace diversity. We believe that a diverse school community strengthens learning, enriches experiences, and helps every child thrive.

Across our schools, we are committed to creating a culture where all individuals regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or background are respected, represented, and supported.

We understand the role of inclusive education in preparing young people for a complex and diverse society. We challenge discrimination, recognise and celebrate difference, and work continuously to promote equity and opportunity in everything we do.

Our commitment to inclusion runs through our curriculum, our staffing and leadership, our policies, and our day-to-day interactions. We strive to practise cultural humility, anti-racism, and equitable approaches that meet the needs of all our pupils.