Office Manager (N6)

Are you seeking a new challenge?

Prosper Learning Trust are looking to appoint a suitably qualified and highly motivated professional to the post of Office Manager to the busy office at Harry Watts Academy, commencing 1st September 2025.

This role is perfect for a positive and professional individual with:

·        Experience of working in an Office Manager role which involved line management of staff

·        An understanding and knowledge of the key principles of administration

·        The ability to use initiative and judgement and to work autonomously

As a valued member of our team, you will:

·        Provide a high quality, efficient and effective administration service within the academy, providing advice and support to the Trust Operations Manager

·        Be a supportive and co-operative team member with a flexible approach

·        Prioritise workload effectively to meet deadlines

Does this sound like the role for you?

Harry Watts Academy is a specialist free school in Sunderland opened in September 2020 for autistic pupils aged between five and sixteen years. We pride ourselves on having a shared belief that all children have a right to the best education that can be provided and a learning and working environment where all are respected, valued and achievements celebrated.

Harry Watts Academy is a split site school, with locations in both Sunderland (Redhouse) and Washington (Harraton). Currently, our Engage and Explore pathways are based at Redhouse and our Discover pathway is based at Harraton. You will therefore be willing to support the teaching and learning of pupils on any of our three pathways on either of our sites.

To learn more about Harry Watts Academy and Prosper Learning Trust, please visit our websites.

Prosper Learning Trust was established in January 2018 to help vulnerable young people succeed against the odds. Four core values underpin everything we do as a Trust, these are Aspiration, Integrity, Resilience and Kindness. We are looking for staff who share those values and want to support our young people.

The Trust currently have 5 schools in the region: 

·        Newcastle Bridges School – Alternative Provision academy offering education to pupils unable to access mainstream school due to medical needs including hospitalised children and young people (3-19 years)

·        Mary Astell Academy – Alternative Provision academy offering education to permanently excluded pupils and pupils who are struggling in mainstream school (11-16 years)

·        Thomas Bewick Special School – Special School academy for pupils with a diagnosis of autism (3-19 years)

·        Harry Watts Academy – Special School academy for pupils with a diagnosis of autism (5-16 years)

·        Gilbert Ward Academy – Special School academy for pupils with SEMH or a diagnosis of autism (11-16 years)

Prosper Learning Trust was also recently named as the lead partner in the opening of a new Free School in Jarrow, South Tyneside. This school will be a Special School academy for pupils with SEMH (4-11 years).

The successful candidate will be deployed initially at Harry Watts Academy but will be expected to work at any Prosper Learning Trust site should the need arise.

Benefits of working for Prosper Learning Trust

The Trust is proud to say that we match the Real Living Wage and we also offer successful candidates:

·        A friendly and supportive team of staff who are willing to share expertise and learn from one another

·        Opportunities for career development and support with development through Trust wide Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programmes

·        Access to an Employee Assistance Programme and support from the Trust’s Wellbeing Network Group

·        Access to either Teacher’s Pension or Local Government Pension Scheme, each with favourable employer contribution rates

·        Employee centred policies that support you in and beyond the workplace

·        Funded eye tests for DSE users (subject to T/Cs)

·        Cycle to work scheme

For more information on why we think you should work for us see our Trust website, where you will also find videos of what our current staff think.

The successful candidate will be welcomed into the Trust, so if you’re interested please don’t hesitate to apply.

Please note that all successful candidates will be required to complete an online pre-employment medical questionnaire.

For an informal discussion about this post please contact Melanie Cairns (Academies Business Support Lead) on 0191 605 3899.