Finance Assistant

Finance Assistant Term Time (190days) - 9:00-14:30, Monday to Friday (25 hours per week) Grade 3 scale point 5, FTE £25,584 per annum - Actual Salary £14,112.84 per annum To start: As soon as possible Due to the continued growth and expansion of the school, we are looking to appoint a Finance Assistant to join our friendly and supportive team. As our Finance Assistant, you will play an important role in supporting the school's financial operations. Your responsibilities will include processing purchase orders, raising invoices, making payments, managing Scopay payments, credit card expenses, free school meal applications and assisting with the preparation of monthly and annual accounts. We are looking for a knowledgeable and enthusiastic team player with excellent communication skills, strong IT proficiency and a keen eye for detail. Previous experience in finance or accountancy is preferred, and accounting qualifications would be an advantage. Experience of using accounting software would also be beneficial, although full training will be provided. We became a co-educational school in September 2024 for Year 7 and are now three years of co-education from September 2026 (with boys only in Years 10 & 11) and we remain co-educational in Sixth Form. The school has a newly refurbished subject block and subsequently every classroom across the school now has a ViewSonic interactive screen. In addition, we have invested in our all facilities across the school: new heating system, air source heat pumps reducing our carbon footprint, revamped technology including food room, whole school repainted, in addition to sporting facilities; upgraded our indoor swimming pool, invested in our sports hall, all weather pitches: MUGA, an all weather football dome and our new performance and conditioning centre of excellence, available free to staff. The school has made significant investment in its digital infrastructure to support high-quality teaching and learning. All computer suites were upgraded to Windows 11 this year, increasing system performance, strengthening security and improving accessibility across the school. Academically, the school has a positive Progress 8 measure and students achieve above the national average. Our curriculum is carefully planned, well-sequenced and ambitious, with Ofsted (2025) recognising the quality of our curriculum and the breadth of opportunities available to our students To get a glimpse of our vibrant school community and facilities, check out our school video [here], showcasing our students, staff, and the dynamic environment you'll be a part of. The Forest School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service clearance being received. For all information, please visit the school website, and to apply please complete the Support Staff Application Form returning it to mailto:recruitment@forest.academy. Unfortunately, CVs will not be accepted. The Interview Process If selected, the interview process will test and assess your fulfilment of the requirements for this position. The interview process will include consideration of your suitability to work with children and the interview panel will ask questions on safeguarding children/young people. Please apply as soon as possible as shortlisting/interviews will be ongoing up until the closing date. Should a suitable candidate be appointed, the advert may close early. The school will complete online searches on all shortlisted candidates and reserves the right to do so on receipt of all applications. Please make sure to complete and upload the official Forest School Support Staff Application Form. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept applications submitted in any other format. CLOSING DATE FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS is Thursday, 16th July at 9am. We intend to interview on receipt of applications and reserved the right to recruit and close the process earlier should we find a suitable candidate. It is our normal procedure to request references on shortlisted candidates prior to interview. The Forest School Support and Professional Development A range of support and professional development opportunities are available at The Forest School from working with all other local schools through the secondary federation, the local School Alliance Association and Wellington College. We offer many staff CPD opportunities through the National Qualifications. CPD and Staff wellbeing are highest on our agenda.

• Highly effective behaviour and inclusion system with a supportive Centralised detentions to reduce teacher workload
• Superb CPD including from our outstanding 'Teaching and Learning Team'
• OFSTED 'good' (June 2021)
• Friendly and supportive working environment
• An active Staff Association and wellbeing team
• A comprehensive Induction programme for ECTs and new staff Allocation of a professional mentor (ECTs)
• A comprehensive CPD opportunity with National Qualifications
• Free admission to the school performance and conditioning centre of excellence
• Access to child care voucher scheme
• Access to tech and bike scheme
Please note, we may consider and interview as applications are received; we have the right to appoint a suitable candidate on receipt of application. This is policy procedure as we are aware of the competitive market and wish to recruit the correct person. Submissions from agencies will not be accepted. We look forward to hearing from you.

We are looking for a knowledgeable and enthusiastic team player with excellent communication skills, strong IT proficiency and a keen eye for detail. Previous experience in finance or accountancy is preferred, and accounting qualifications would be an advantage. Experience of using accounting software would also be beneficial, although full training will be provided.

Term Time (190days) - 9:00-14:30, Monday to Friday (25 hours per week) Grade 3 scale point 5, FTE £25,584 per annum - Actual Salary £14,112.84 per annum To start: As soon as possible,
• Highly effective behaviour and inclusion system with a supportive Centralised detentions to reduce teacher workload
• Superb CPD including from our outstanding 'Teaching and Learning Team'
• OFSTED 'good' (June 2021)
• Friendly and supportive working environment
• An active Staff Association and wellbeing team
• A comprehensive Induction programme for ECTs and new staff Allocation of a professional mentor (ECTs)
• A comprehensive CPD opportunity with National Qualifications
• Free admission to the school performance and conditioning centre of excellence
• Access to child care voucher scheme
• Access to tech and bike scheme
Please note, we may consider and interview as applications are received; we have the right to appoint a suitable candidate on receipt of application. This is policy procedure as we are aware of the competitive market and wish to recruit the correct person. Submissions from agencies will not be accepted. We look forward to hearing from you.