About SOC Independent School

SOC Independent School provides a supportive and personalised learning environment for young people who require an alternative pathway to mainstream education.

We work closely with students, parents and carers, local authorities, commissioning schools and external professionals to help learners re-engage with education and achieve positive academic, personal and social outcomes.

About the role

The School Secretary will provide the administrative coordination that keeps the school organised, responsive and compliant.

You will often be the first point of contact for students, parents, carers and external professionals. You will guide families through the admissions and induction process, maintain accurate student information and ensure that important communication reaches the right people.

The role will also coordinate the administration of internal and external examinations, working with teaching staff, awarding bodies, commissioning schools and invigilators to ensure that students are properly entered, supported and prepared.

This position requires more than general office administration. The successful candidate will need to understand that students joining the school may have experienced disruption to their education and that families may require clear, patient and sensitive support throughout their time with the school.

What you’ll be doing

• Act as a professional and welcoming first point of contact for students, parents, carers, visitors and external professionals.
• Coordinate student referrals and admissions, collecting the required educational, safeguarding, SEND, medical and contact information before a placement begins.
• Arrange student induction meetings, assessments, start dates and introductory visits with families, school staff and referring organisations.
• Ensure that student files are complete, accurate and securely maintained, including consent forms, emergency contacts, previous school information and relevant support documentation.
• Maintain the school’s management information system and update student enrolment, attendance, timetable and personal information.
• Communicate regularly with parents and carers regarding inductions, attendance, meetings, examinations, school activities and general enquiries.
• Liaise with local authorities, commissioning schools and other professionals regarding referrals, placements, student information and ongoing administrative requirements.
• Provide administrative support for attendance monitoring, following up unexplained absence and escalating concerns in line with school procedures.
• Coordinate meetings, prepare documentation, take minutes where required and ensure agreed actions are recorded and followed up.
• Support the Headteacher and wider school team with correspondence, reports, calendars, filing, purchasing and day-to-day school administration.
• Coordinate examination entries, registrations, timetables, candidate information and examination arrangements with awarding bodies and partner schools.
• Ensure examinations are planned and administered in accordance with awarding body requirements and Joint Council for Qualifications regulations.
• Arrange examination rooms, invigilators, access arrangements and the secure receipt, storage and dispatch of examination materials.
• Communicate examination timetables, procedures, results and relevant deadlines clearly to students, parents, carers and staff.
• Maintain accurate records relating to exam entries, attendance, access arrangements, incidents, special consideration and results.
• Handle confidential student and family information appropriately and in accordance with data protection, safeguarding and school policies.
• Identify and report safeguarding concerns promptly through the school’s agreed procedures.