Dorset Council UK
Support Services Manager/School Business Manager - The Forum Centre
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Support Services Manager/School Business Manager
Grade 12 Support Services Manager
Grade 13 School Business Manager
Dorset Grade 12 Or 13 (Dependant On Qualifications)
Support Services Manager
- Salary Grade 12
- FTE: £44,075 - £50,269 (Actual £38,082 - £43,433 pay award pending)
School Business Manager
- Salary Grade 13
- FTE: £49,282 - £55,460 (Actual £42,581 - £47,919 pay award pending)
37 hours per week Monday to Friday, Term time only
Please note - The Grade 13 School Business Manager position would only be considered for those candidates that already hold the relevant School Business Management qualification.
Main Purpose of the Role
The Support Services Manager/School Business Manager is a senior operational post responsible for leading and managing the Forum Centre’s non-teaching services to ensure the effective, efficient and safe running of the school.
Reporting directly to the Headteacher and working closely with the Senior Leadership Team (including the three Deputy Headteachers and two Assistant Headteachers), the postholder will lead strategic financial planning, human resources, premises and facilities management, procurement, administration and business processes to support the school’s vision and values and enable exceptional provision for pupils who have struggled in mainstream education.
The Forum Centre will operate across three sites from January 2027, one in Blandford, one in Lytchett Minster and a new school in Colehill Wimborne.
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The Role Is Critical To
- Ensuring financial sustainability and robust budget management with a wide Dorset catchment and split sites.
- Maintaining safe, secure and well-maintained premises across multiple classrooms/sites to support up to 140 KS1-KS4 pupils and a staffing structure that includes teaching, support and administrative colleagues.
- Providing strategic, operational and compliance leadership for business services, enabling leaders and teachers to focus on pupil outcomes, reintegration and wellbeing.
- Acting as a key contributor to governance, producing high-quality reports and information for Governors, external bodies (e.g. Local Authority, Ofsted) and stakeholders.
Working Context and Conditions
The post could be based at any of the school sites but will require travel between them; normal working hours align to school opening times (currently 08:30-16:30) with flexibility required to meet the needs of the school, attend meetings (often outside core hours) and respond to incidents.
The role will regularly interact with a broad range of colleagues including Headteacher, Deputy Headteachers, Assistant Headteachers, SENDCo, teachers, teaching assistants, reintegration and intervention mentors, administrative staff, governors and external agencies.
The Forum Centre is a multi-site Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) serving a wide catchment; the postholder should be prepared to work in a dynamic environment supporting pupils with complex SEMH and medical needs, including those with Education Health Care Plans, Children in Care, those subject to Child Protection plans and pupils awaiting specialist placements.
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Equalities and Other Duties
The Forum Centre is committed to equality of opportunity. The postholder will actively promote equality and diversity in line with school policies.
The job holder will be expected to demonstrate professional conduct, maintain high standards of attendance and punctuality and act in accordance with the Teachers’ and School Support staff professional expectations where relevant.
This job description is not exhaustive and may be amended in consultation with the postholder to reflect changing needs.
Application and Contact Details
To apply or discuss the post please contact:
- Lisa Herkes, Head’s PA
- Tel: 01258 455202
- Email: l.herkes@tfc.dorset.sch.uk
Closing date: Midnight on Tuesday 22nd September 2026
Note
This job description aligns with the specific operational needs and context of The Forum Centre — a Dorset PRU providing specialist education for pupils who have struggled to remain in mainstream settings. The role will directly support the school’s mission to help pupils build confidence, knowledge and skills to unlock their potential.
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