Bursar

Job content

Exciting opportunity for a dynamic, practical individual to join the Senior Leadership team and work closely with the Head and Governors to enable Unicorn School to continue to be the inspiring, happy and creative school that it is.

Unicorn School is a thriving, small, independent prep school with 176 pupils and around 40 staff both full and part time. Due to the upcoming retirement of our much valued current Bursar, we are looking for a dynamic, practical individual to report to the Head and work closely with the Governors to enable Unicorn School to continue to be the inspiring, happy and creative school that it is.

Visits to the school prior to application are strongly encouraged, please phone to make an appointment.

Salary is dependent on experience and skills. The role is offered with 6 weeks holiday + bank holidays.

Our closing date for applications is 18 September 2023 and we will be conducting interviews for potential candidates on 28/29 September 2023.

For application form and further details please go to:

https://www.unicornschool.org.uk/about-unicorn/job-vacancies/

Application forms should be sent to vacancies@unicornschool.org.uk

Unicorn School seeks to be diverse, open minded and foster a culture of compassionate and conscious inclusion. We stand against everything to do with discrimination, exclusion, harassment, bullying and hatred in whatever form it takes. Fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance, are promoted within our school. In order to achieve our aims, we are committed to striving constantly to address the barriers and challenges to inclusion that may arise over time in schools and wider society.

Unicorn is a ‘Safer Recruitment’ employer, committed to promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children. Should you be invited for interview, you will be asked questions about child protection and the successful applicant will undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure & Barring Service.

Qualifications and Experience

a) The possession of business or administrative experience with the knowledge of commercial and allied subjects adequate for the management of the day-to-day affairs of the office

b) Ability to produce budgetary estimates, reports, cash flow and financial and statistical summaries

c) A knowledge of the principles and methods of book-keeping and their adaptation to various purposes, including the preparation of final accounts

d) A knowledge of procedures at meetings - notices, agenda, minutes, conduct of meetings and secretarial practice

e) Some knowledge of the law and practice relating to Income Tax, PAYE, benefits in kind and VAT

f) A working knowledge of the law with regard to parental contracts, leasing of school properties and landlord responsibilities, employment legislation, commercial law covering such matters as contracts, copyright and data protection

g) A knowledge of investment procedures

h) A knowledge of methods of purchasing

i) A knowledge of building materials and of the details of construction of buildings and the causes of, and remedies for, defects in buildings

j) A knowledge of rates, Town and Country planning, planning permission procedures for alterations and new buildings

k) Ability to draw up specifications for general repairs, minor alterations and decorations and, if the work is done by direct labour, to make estimates of cost

l) Ability to draw simple plans and sketches

m) A knowledge of principles and practice in relation to: electrical and gas installations, metering and supply; central heating and hot water supply; protection of personnel and buildings from fire; domestic sanitation and sanitary fittings; energy management and conservation

n) PC literacy essential

o) Possession of full driving licence and ability to drive minibus desirable

Main Duties & Responsibilities

Finance and Accountancy

a) Advising on general financial policy within the school

b) Preparing annual estimates of income and expenditure to include the preparation of departmental budgets within the school, the latter in consultation with the Head

c) Monitoring income and expenditure in relation to budget and presenting regular management reports to the Governing Body

d) Keeping the accounts of the school and preparing Statements of Financial Activity (SOFA) and balance sheets in accordance with the charities Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP)

e) Maintaining cash flow projections for the current and future years

f) Advising on cash management

g) Preparing pupils’ bills and collecting all fees and extras

h) Liaising with Headteacher and Governors on implementation of fee policies

i) In conjunction with payroll bureau, payment of all salaries and wages, including PAYE, Superannuation and National Insurance Contributions. Compliance with regulations for benefits in kind

j) Administering pension schemes for teaching and non-teaching staff

k) Scrutinising and passing for payment all invoices received in the school. Payment for goods and services.

l) Keeping analyses of costs and other statistical records

m) Preparing forecasts for the future financial performance of the school; usually over a period of two to five years

n) Advising on taxation matters generally, including Gift Aid and VAT (as appropriate)

o) Advising on the financial implications of the charitable status of the school

p) Dealing with the school’s income tax and rating assessments

q) Administering the Early Years Grant Scheme within the school

r) Oversight of parent Loan Note processes

s) Liaising with Bursary Administration Limited on bursary applications and then with Governors about awards

t) Involvement in the marketing and development of the school.

General Management and Administration

a) Acting as Clerk to the Governors and Company Secretary – including all necessary papers in advance of Governors’ meetings and Governors’ Committee meetings.

b) Ensuring compliance with all relevant aspects of employment law including employment protection, equal pay, minimum wage, Working Time Directive and discrimination on the grounds of sex, race or disability. To act as the Head’s adviser on employment matters including disciplinary procedures.

c) Ensure that the school has appropriate disciplinary and grievance procedures

d) Ensuring that all staff have contracts of employment and keeping the school’s standard contracts up to date as new legislation takes effect

e) Ensuring safer recruitment practices and maintenance of single central register of employees.

f) The employment, terms and conditions of service, supervision and welfare of all staff

g) Liaison with lawyers as required

h) Formulating, monitoring and implementing the school’s policy to comply with the requirements of Health and Safety legislation acting as Chair of the Health and Safety Committee. Carry out risk assessments where appropriate and monitor all departments to ensure that they are carrying out risk assessments. Take professional advice as required

i) Liaising with School’s Insurance brokers and ensuring that the school has adequate insurance cover at all times to include employer’s liability, buildings and equipment cover, personal accident, travel insurance and other relevant cover.

j) Management of all purchasing of goods and services for the school

k) Letting of school premises to outside organisations

l) Acting as correspondent with the Department for Employment and Learning and being responsible for the records and returns required

m) Advising on and taking the appropriate security measures within the school, both physical and for staff and pupils

n) Maintaining contact with the statutory authorities and other organisations

o) Management of outsourced services e.g. Catering, cleaning, IT, GDPR

p) Sports equipment and facilities

q) Minibuses and transport. Compliance with the regulations for the operation of minibuses; licences; driver training and assessments; servicing and Vehicle inspections

School Buildings

a) Maintenance of school buildings. Preparation of maintenance schedules and keeping of records

b) The installation and maintenance of equipment for the detection, warning, protection and escape from fire. To ensure the necessary fire risk assessments are carried out

c) The maintenance and efficiency of the installations and plant for electric and gas supply, heating, domestic hot water, water softening etc. Negotiating energy supply contracts at competitive rates. Promotion of energy conservation

d) Ensure that catering areas meet the requirements for hygiene and food safety in conjunction with the catering contractor company

e) The maintenance of the lighting and ventilation in all school buildings

f) Drawing up outline specifications for new buildings, obtaining tenders, planning permission, liaison with school architects and builders

g) First emergency contact for out of hours fire and intruder alarms

School Grounds

a) Upkeep of playground, gardens, astro pitch

b) Land drainage

c) Maintenance of boundaries

ICT

a) Work with SLT to develop and implement IT strategy

b) Ensure effective and efficient provision of IT infrastructure and hardware

c) Ensure effective security of network is maintained

d) Responsible for MIS systems

Parent School Committee

a) Maintain financial records for Parent School Committee fundraising

b) Liaise with Committee regarding requirements for events such as Fairs (incl attend at certain events)

For application form and further details please go to:

https://www.unicornschool.org.uk/about-unicorn/job-vacancies/

Application forms should be sent to vacancies@unicornschool.org.uk