Personal Assistant to the Headteacher

Plymouth High School for Girls is seeking a dedicated Personal Assistant to the Headteacher to play a key role working at the heart of a dynamic educational environment, ensuring smooth day-to-day operations and a high-level of administrative support.

In this pivotal position, you’ll provide high-level administrative support, manage the Headteacher’s diary and correspondence, and act as the first point of contact for a wide range of stakeholders. You’ll also play an essential role in supporting recruitment processes and HR administration, always ensuring compliance and confidentiality.

We’re looking for someone with exceptional communication and organisational skills, who thrives in a busy environment and can handle sensitive matters with professionalism and discretion.

Key responsibilities include:

For a full list of responsibilities please see the attached Job Description

• Diary and inbox management for the Headteacher
• Handling confidential correspondence and enquiries
• Attending and minuting key meetings
• Coordinating recruitment processes and maintaining staff records
• Supporting with HR administration and safeguarding checks

What We’re Looking For:

We’re seeking a highly competent and confident individual who:

• Has experience in a PA or senior administrative role (preferably in education or public sector)
• Is an excellent communicator, both written and verbal
• Is confident managing multiple priorities and working to deadlines
• Understands the importance of confidentiality and safeguarding in a school setting
• Has strong IT skills, particularly in Microsoft Office and HR platforms

Join Plymouth High School for Girls and make a meaningful impact in a valued and trusted role. You’ll be part of a dedicated, friendly and professional team committed to delivering excellence in education.

Plymouth High School for Girls is a respected City selective Grammar school known for its engaging curriculum and supportive environment. Our students thrive in a small, friendly school where collaboration and flexibility ensure the best possible experience.

Our Values & Vision

We prepare students for life beyond school, guided by our slogan, "For life, not school, we learn." We focus on respect, resilience, and responsibility, encouraging students to grow academically and personally. Our core values include integrity, fairness, and tolerance.

Ofsted notes that our leadership maintains strong educational quality, with a clear focus on school priorities and effective partnerships to support our students and their families.

If you're passionate about fostering academic and personal growth, join us at Plymouth High School for Girls and make a lasting impact on our students.

The Thinking Schools Academy Trust

The Thinking Schools Academy Trust is a family of schools consisting of both primary and secondary schools across the South West, South, South East, and East of England.

We believe that every young person in our community deserves to have the best opportunities at life regardless of their individual circumstances. That’s why we invest in our people, so that our staff are best supported to positively impact our pupils. 

Learn more about our Vision and Values here

Why Join the Thinking Schools Academy Trust?

We’re proud to offer more than just a job—we provide a range of exceptional benefits to support and reward our staff:

• Competitive Pay Scales: Our TSAT pay scales exceed national levels.
• Performance Related Pay: We operate a Professional Growth policy that allows us to reward staff who meet their objectives with additional pay for exceptional performance.
• CPD: Our in-house training provision, Thinking Horizons, offers clear pathways for professional development including Chartered Teacher status, regular MAT meets to share best practice and range of external opportunities to enhance your development.
• Staff Wellbeing Focus: Access our 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme, free flu vaccinations, eye care vouchers and preferential access to Benenden Health.
• TSTARS Staff Recognition: You will be part of our Staff Recognition Programme, with seasonal rewards for all staff.
• Refer a Friend: Spread the word and benefit financially from our Refer a Friend Scheme.
• Blue Light Card: School staff can now access the Blue Light Card for discounts across a wide range of categories including holidays, cars, days out and much more!
• TSAT Benefits Portal: a one-stop shop benefits hub that gives you access to a range of exclusive benefits including employee discounts, dental cover, Cycle to Work Scheme and Discounted Gym Membership.

Next Steps

If you are interested in working at our school, benefitting from a supportive network of colleagues across our Trust, and are keen to progress your career then please apply today! 

Early applications are encouraged, and we reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a suitable candidate is found.

We strongly encourage any teachers who may be interested in working at our school to direct any question they may have to the Head’s PA, Vicki Benwell, [email protected]

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check. As per KCSIE we will also undertake online searches for all shortlisted candidates, if you have any questions regarding this process, please email [email protected]