Vacancies

PA to the Headteacher & Office Manager

Permanent| Term time only – 39 weeks | Salary Band D £32,597 - £37,280 (actual salary range £27,944 - £31,959 starting salary dependent on experience)

Working Hours: We are open to considering applications for between 34 and 37 hours per week, depending on the needs of the school and the availability of the successful candidate.

Hazel Oak School is looking to appoint an enthusiastic, highly organised, emotionally intelligent and proactive Personal Assistant to the Headteacher & Office Manager to join our vibrant and inclusive school community.

Hazel Oak is an all through inclusive special school situated in Solihull providing care and provision for children and young people with Autism, ADHD, Down syndrome, Speech, Language and Communication Difficulties, Social, Emotional and Mental Health Needs (SEMH) with in a diverse and caring community. At Hazel Oak School, we aspire for equity for all, embracing and celebrating the differences of our community.

It is our shared vision to prepare our children and young people for their lives beyond school, as respectful citizens in an ever-changing world, supporting them along the way to challenge discrimination and inequality. Through restorative and philosophical work, we support children and young people and their families to achieve the best we can for each learner, as a community. We want all Hazel Oak pupils to embrace their individuality and grow towards success beyond school. Not just preparing children and young people for the wider world but develop their ability to affect change towards it.

This is an excellent time to join Hazel Oak School as it continues to implement a strategic vision developed by all stakeholders. Join us at Hazel Oak, we recognise everyone has the potential to succeed and believe ‘reaching for the stars’ to inspire children and young people to overcome any challenges to shape a successful future.

A culture of high expectations and support for all

We champion high expectations for our Hazel Oak community because we believe everyone has the potential to be supported and nurtured to succeed. Our staff members provide a provision that is meaningful, systemic and purposeful for all.

About the Role

This is a key leadership support role in the school and you will:

Provide high-level, confidential administrative support to the Headteacher.
Lead and manage the school’s busy office and administrative team.
Be the first point of contact for staff, parents, governors, and external agencies.
Coordinate school communications, events, and diary management.
Uphold safeguarding, data protection, and school policies in all aspects of your work.

We are looking for someone who is:

Emotionally resilient, calm under pressure, and highly organized
A confident communicator with excellent interpersonal skills
Able to manage conflicting demands and priorities in a busy working environment
Manages confidential information with discretion
Committed to the values of inclusion, equity, and community
Able to lead and manage a team effectively
Skilled at anticipating challenges and taking proactive steps to resolve issues before they arise

Qualifications and experience required:

Minimum NVQ Level 2 in Business Administration or significant experience in a similar role
GCSE Grade C/4 or above in English and Maths or equivalent
Experienced in office management or PA/senior administration roles (school experience desirable but not essential).
Skilled in Microsoft Office (SIMS and Oracle knowledge is a bonus)

In return, we offer:

A welcoming and supportive team culture.
Bespoke professional development and training.
Opportunities for career progression.
Access to a wellbeing support package and employee assistance programme.
Generous employer pension scheme.

How to Apply

For further information about the role or to arrange a visit please contact Ellen Barrett at s501ebarrett@hazel-oak.solihull.sch.uk

Completed applications should be sent to s501ebarrett@hazel-oak.solihull.sch.uk.
Closing Date: 5pm on Monday 6^th October 2025

Hazel Oak School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. This post requires an enhanced DBS and Safer Recruitment checks. In accordance with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSiE) guidelines, all applicants will undergo social media checks as part of our comprehensive vetting process.

We are an equal opportunities employer and proud to be a school that celebrates difference. We are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender assignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.

The post falls under the requirements of the Fluency Duty (part of the Immigration Act 2016) which makes it a requirement for all public sector workers operating in ‘customer facing’ role to be able to speak fluent English

____________________

Specialist Inclusion Mentor for Complex Needs

37.5 hours per week. Term Time 39 weeks per year

D Band salary range £32,597 - £37,280

(actual salary range £27,944 - £31,959 starting salary based on experience)

This a new opportunity for an experienced teaching assistant to lead in supporting colleagues and pupils across the school. The successful candidate will work in and out of class as part of the pastoral team to support pupils, staff and families and mentor class based colleagues in support strategies for pupils with complex needs and autism and their associated speech, language and communication challenges. You will also manage the daily deployment of support staff and coach colleagues to include more specialised strategies for individual pupils in and beyond class.

Hazel Oak supports a high percentage of pupils with complex needs, Autism, ADHD, speech language and communication and sensory challenges. An increasing number of pupils are non-speaking and require high levels of communication support through Augmentative and Alternative Communication tools.

This new role will support pupils with anxiety who can present with distressed behaviour and mental health challenges, whilst supporting the learning and development of staff to manage this creatively and effectively. Our school ethos around pupil self-regulation also combines restorative practice and Team Teach strategies to support our trauma informed approach.

You will work within the pastoral team, family support and the leadership team to bring positive outcomes for pupils with complex needs and sensory processing challenges across the school.

Your essential skills

Autonomous and ambitious - able to set your own agenda and work independently to achieve your goals.
Creative and supportive - approach all challenges from a solution focused perspective, helping all those around you to do the same, despite the level of challenge.
Sensitive and assertive - work with empathy towards staff and pupils who are challenged in difficult situations, whilst communicating high expectations and consistency.
Data driven and reflective - work with monitoring data to evidence and evaluate impact, challenging issues that arise and seeking shared solutions. Evaluate and reflect on what is effective and what needs to develop, in staff practice and whole school ethos.
Diligent and committed - Ability to go the distance and see things through, even when challenges and obstacles persist. Radiate positivity and a growth mindset at all times.
Working knowledge of mental health and emotional support strategies for young people and a practical knowledge of trauma informed practices.

We can offer you:

A supportive leadership team
Health and wellbeing support through an external provider
Cycle to Work scheme
Salary sacrifice for childcare costs
Subsidised public transport costs
Subsidised eye tests and glasses for DSE users

Please go to our website www.hazel-oak.co.uk for more information about the school and an application, or email s501ebarrett@hazel-oak.solihull.sch.uk. Closing date for applications is 5pm on Thursday 2^nd October 2025

Hazel Oak School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure and Safer Recruitment checks.

We are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender assignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.

_______________________

Pupil Specific Assistant for a pupil with Complex Needs

37 hours per week. Term Time 39 weeks per year

D Band salary range £32,597 - £37,280

(actual salary range £27,944 - £31,959 starting salary based on experience)

This a new opportunity for an experienced teaching assistant to support all learning needs for a pupil with complex needs and Autism in Key Stage 3. The successful candidate will work in and out of class as required and with support of the class teacher and the pastoral team. You will also work closely with a team of multi-agency support to provide an holistic approach to support the pupil to achieve all objects set in their EHCP, acting as key adult and coordinator, maintaining high expectations with both challenge and support.

Our school ethos supports pupil self-regulation, combining restorative practice, Team Teach strategies and a trauma informed approach.

Your essential skills

Autonomous and ambitious - able to set your own agenda and work independently to achieve your goals.
Creative and supportive - approach all challenges from a solution focused perspective, helping all those around you to do the same, despite the level of challenge.
Sensitive and assertive - work with empathy towards staff and pupils who are challenged in difficult situations, whilst communicating high expectations and consistency.
Data driven and reflective - work with monitoring data to evidence and evaluate impact, challenging issues that arise and seeking shared solutions. Evaluate and reflect on what is effective and what needs to develop, in staff practice and whole school ethos.
Diligent and committed - Ability to go the distance and see things through, even when challenges and obstacles persist. Radiate positivity and a growth mindset at all times.
Working knowledge of mental health and emotional support strategies for young people and a practical knowledge of trauma informed practices.

We can offer you:

A supportive leadership team
Health and wellbeing support through an external provider
Cycle to Work scheme
Salary sacrifice for childcare costs
Subsidised public transport costs
Subsidised eye tests and glasses for DSE users