Assistant Head (Operations)

Job Application Pack

TEACHING ASSISTANT
Assistant Head (Operations)

Closing Date for Applications: 23 February 2026

OUR SCHOOL

Thank you for your interest in Newland House School. Our welcoming Pre-Prep and Prep School sits

on  a  5-acre  site  in  a  quiet  residential  area  on  the  edge  of  Twickenham  and  Teddington  in  South

West  London.  Established  in  1897,  Newland  House  is  one  of  the  oldest  and  largest  Independent

Prep Schools for children aged 3-13 in the area.

We are passionate about inspiring a life-long love of learning and bringing out the brilliance in every

child.  Our  curriculum  is  innovative,  broad  and  ambitious,  giving  every  child  the  opportunity  to

explore  their  academic,  sporting,  and  creative  passions.  We  are  committed  to  supporting  each

pupil's unique learning journey, and our dedicated teachers and staff continuously seek fresh ideas

to enhance learning experiences both in the classroom and beyond.

Ensuring the happiness and wellbeing of our pupils is core to all we do. We want every single child

in  our  school  to  feel  safe,  valued  and  cared  for  and  visitors,  parents  and  children  consistently

comment on the positive, happy, and vibrant atmosphere at our School.

SUMMARY OF THE ROLE

The  Assistant  Head  (Operations)  will  provide  strategic  and  operational  leadership  to  ensure  the

efficient, safe and seamless day-to-day running of the School. The postholder will have oversight of

the whole-school calendar and operational routines, ensuring that activities, events and priorities are

carefully planned, coordinated and delivered to a high standard.

The  role  will  include  responsibility  for  staff  deployment  and  daily  cover  arrangements,  working

proactively  to  maintain  continuity  of  learning  and  minimise  disruption.  The  Assistant  Head

(Operations) will also lead the organisation and  delivery of INSET and staff  training  days,  ensuring

operational arrangements support high-quality professional development.

As  the  School’s  Educational  Visits  Coordinator  (EVC),  the  postholder  will  oversee  all  educational

visits  and  trips,  ensuring  full  compliance  with  statutory  requirements,  robust  risk  assessment

procedures and the highest standards of pupil safety and safeguarding.

Acting  as  the  central  escalation  point  for  operational  matters,  the  Assistant  Head  (Operations)  will

work  closely  with  the  HR  Manager  on  absence  monitoring,  workforce  planning  and  resource

management, contributing to the School’s strategic leadership and operational resilience.

FURTHER DETAILS

Application period closes: 9.00 am on Monday 23 February 2026

Interviews: Thursday 26 February 2026 / Friday 27 February 2026

Employment Commences: 1 September 2026

Salary: Competitive remuneration package, commensurate with experience and responsibility.

Contract: Permanent / Full-time

We welcome any discussions regarding this role or any other queries you may have.

We reserve the right to interview, appoint, and close the advert early depending on the volume of
applications we receive.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Assistant Head (Operations) will play a pivotal role in the strategic and operational leadership of

the  School,  ensuring  that  systems,  routines  and  staffing  structures  enable  the  highest  standards  of

teaching,  learning  and  pupil  safety.  With  responsibility  for  the  coordination  of  the  school  calendar,

staff  deployment,  operational  planning  and  educational  visits,  the  postholder  will  ensure  that  the

School  runs  efficiently,  compliantly  and  with  clarity  of  purpose.  This  role  is  central  to  maintaining

organisational  coherence,  minimising  disruption  and  supporting  the  wider  leadership  team  in

delivering the School’s strategic priorities.

The postholder will be a key member of the Senior Management Team, working closely alongside the

Head, Deputy Head (Academic), Deputy Head (Pastoral), Assistant Head (Pre-Prep) and Bursar. The

Assistant  Head  (Operations)  will  report  directly  to  the  Head  and  collaborate  across  the  leadership

team to ensure operational excellence throughout the School.

Main duties and responsibilities

Operational Leadership and Daily Organisation:

• Provide strategic oversight of the School’s day-to-day operations, ensuring routines are efficient,

communication is clear and systems support a safe, orderly and purposeful environment for pupils

and staff.

• Act  as  the  first  point  of  escalation  for  operational  matters,  resolving  issues  promptly  and

professionally to minimise disruption to learning.

• Lead  the  planning  and  management  of  the  whole-school  calendar,  coordinating  contributions

from  the  Senior  Leadership  Team,  Senior  Management  Team  and  other  key  leaders  to  ensure

alignment with strategic priorities, avoid clashes and maximise participation.

• Oversee and quality assure staff deployment, including daily cover arrangements and duty rotas,

to ensure appropriate supervision, effective use of staffing resources and continuity of provision.

• Lead the operational planning and operational delivery of whole-school INSET and staff training

days,  ensuring  that  venues,  schedules,  resources  and  communications  are  carefully  coordinated

and executed.

Educational Visits & Educational Visits Coordinator (EVC) Responsibilities:

• Serve as the School’s Educational Visits Coordinator (EVC), ensuring that all educational visits and

trips fully comply with statutory guidance, ISI requirements and the School’s Educational Visits

Policy.

• Oversee the planning, approval and administration of all visits, including day trips, residentials

and adventurous activities, ensuring robust risk assessments and safeguarding procedures are in

place.

• Provide expert guidance and support to trip leaders in relation to documentation, provider vetting,

staffing ratios, supervision standards, operations and emergency planning.

JOB DESCRIPTION cont.
Main duties and responsibilities

• Liaise closely with external providers, the Bursar, HR and the Designated Safeguarding Lead

(DSL) to ensure that all visits are safe, well-organised and appropriately resourced.

• Deliver training and clear guidance to staff on visit planning, risk assessment processes and

expectations for supervision and conduct.

• Maintain and regularly review the School’s educational visits systems, approval processes and

compliance records to ensure accuracy, accountability and continuous improvement.

People Leadership and HR Interface:

• Work in close partnership with the HR Manager to monitor staff absence, analyse patterns and

trends, and support effective return-to-work processes in line with School policy.

• Contribute  to  strategic  workforce  planning,  ensuring  that  operational  staffing  requirements

including cover, duties and supervision are met efficiently, fairly and sustainably.

• Provide  clear induction and ongoing guidance to staff regarding operational  expectations,  duty

rotas, cover procedures and operational systems.

• Ensure  timely,  accurate  and  professional  communication  with  staff  in  relation  to  deployment,

operational  updates  and  operational  arrangements,  promoting  clarity,  consistency  and

accountability.

Safeguarding and Operational Compliance:

• Maintain  up-to-date  safeguarding  training  and  ensure  that  all  operational  systems  including

duty  rotas,  supervision  zones,  trip  staffing  and  visitor  management  consistently  uphold  the

highest standards of pupil safety.

• Ensure  that  duty  rotas,  cover  arrangements  and  educational  visit  staffing  meet  safeguarding

ratios and supervision expectations at all times.

• Support  the  Designated  Safeguarding  Lead  (DSL)  and  Deputy  DSLs  by  providing  accurate,

timely  and  relevant  operational

information,  ensuring  full  alignment  with  safeguarding

procedures and processes.

Parent and Community Engagement:

• Communicate  clearly  and  proactively  with  parents  regarding  operational  updates,  calendar

changes, trip operations and access arrangements for school events.

• Support  the  planning  and  smooth  delivery  of  parent-facing  events,  ensuring  all  operational

arrangements are well coordinated.

JOB DESCRIPTION cont.

Main duties and responsibilities

Line Management and Staff Development:

• Monitor  and  quality  assure  administrative  and  operational  processes,

identifying  and

implementing improvements where necessary.

• Provide training, guidance  and support to staff on operational systems, operational procedures

and expectations, ensuring clarity and consistency across the School.

Extra-Curricular and Wider School Provision:

• Work  closely  with  the  Extra-Curricular  Clubs  Coordinator,  Wrap  Around  Care  Manager  and

Bursar  to  ensure  that  clubs,  wraparound  care,  trips,  visiting  speakers  and  enrichment  activities

run efficiently and safely.

• Oversee  rooming,  supervision  and  site  coordination  for  events,  extended-day  provision  and

extra-curricular activities, ensuring smooth operations and high standards of pupil care.

Teaching:

• Deliver  a  reduced  teaching  timetable  as  required,  aligned  with  professional  expertise  and  the

School’s operational needs.

Quality Assurance and School Improvement:

• Contribute  to  self-evaluation  and  school  improvement  planning,  particularly  in  relation  to

operational processes, compliance, health & safety and operational systems.

• Maintain high-quality communication with parents, staff and the wider community, representing

the School at relevant events.

• Ensure  the  School  remains  inspection-ready  with  respect  to  operational  documentation,  EVC

compliance and operational procedures.

Additional Duties:

• Support the planning and delivery of whole-school events and community activities that require

operational or logistical coordination.

• Review  and  update  relevant  policies  relating  to  operational  procedures,  educational  visits  and

operational systems to ensure clarity, compliance and best practice.

• Attend  school  events  within  the  operational  or  EVC  remit,  providing  oversight  and  ensuring

smooth delivery.

• Undertake  any  other  reasonable  duties  as  requested  by  the  Head,  consistent  with  the

responsibilities and scope of the role.

THE CANDIDATE

Qualifications

• Degree and Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

• Evidence of ongoing professional development, demonstrating commitment to continuous learning

and leadership growth.

• Up-to-date  safeguarding  training,  with  willingness  to  undertake  further  training  related  to  the

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) role.

• Accredited Educational Visits Coordinator (EVC) training.

• Qualifications in project management, leadership or operational management.

• Additional safeguarding or health & safety certifications (e.g., risk assessment training).

Note: The first three items are considered core requirements, with the remaining qualifications highly
desirable and supportive of success in the role.

Experience

• Proven leadership of operational or logistical  systems within a school or similar organisation.

• Experience coordinating staff deployment, duty rotas or day-to-day operational routines.

• Experience  planning,  managing  or  overseeing  whole-school  events,  timetables  or  complex

schedules.

• Experience supporting staff absence processes or liaising closely with HR.

• Experience  contributing  to  or  leading  educational  visits,  trips  and  off-site  activities,  including

involvement with EVC responsibilities.

• Experience as a trained or acting Educational Visits Coordinator (EVC).

• Experience managing large-scale events, residential trips or off-site activities.

• Experience  coordinating

INSET  or  contributing  to  whole-school  professional  development

planning.

• Experience line-managing operational or administrative staff.

Note: The first five items reflect core experience needed to succeed in the role, while the remaining
items are highly desirable and will strengthen effectiveness in the position.

Skills

• Exceptional  organisational  and  time-management  skills,  with  the  ability  to  manage  multiple

priorities simultaneously.

• High-level attention to detail and accuracy in planning, scheduling and communication.

• Strong  analytical  and  problem-solving  skills,  able  to  resolve  operational  issues  calmly  and

effectively under pressure.

• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and professionally with staff,

parents and external providers.

THE CANDIDATE cont.

• Ability  to  train,  guide  and  support  colleagues  on  operational  systems,  processes  and

expectations.

• Competence  with  digital  administrative  systems,  including  MIS,  calendar  platforms  and  cover

management software.

• Ability  to  lead  staff  training  sessions  or  workshops  (e.g.,  trip  planning,  safeguarding  in

supervision).

• Strong  data-handling  skills  for  planning  rotas,  analysing  absence  patterns  or  forecasting

staffing needs.

Note: The first six points reflect core skills essential for the role, while the remaining points are
highly desirable and enhance effectiveness in leadership and operational management.

Knowledge
• Clear understanding of operational best practice in schools, including supervision models, duty

systems and cover procedures.

• Strong  working  knowledge  of  safeguarding  expectations  related  to  supervision,  educational

visits and staff deployment.

• Awareness of statutory guidance relating to educational visits, risk assessment and compliance

requirements.

• Understanding  of  HR  processes  relevant  to  staff  absence  monitoring  and  return-to-work

procedures.

• Familiarity with ISI expectations for compliance, supervision and educational visits.

• Knowledge of health & safety regulations as they relate to school operations, site management

and event planning.

Note: The first four points reflect core knowledge essential to the role, while the remaining items
are highly desirable and support effectiveness in leadership and operational oversight.

Personal competencies and qualities
• Calm,  reliable  and  solutions-focused  under  pressure,  demonstrating  strong  professional

judgment.

• High expectations of self and others, with the ability to hold staff kindly and firmly to account.

• Visible,  supportive  and  approachable,  building  trust  and  positive  relationships  across  the

School.

• Resilient, reflective and committed to continuous improvement.

• A collaborative  team  player who  contributes  effectively to the Senior Management  Team  and

wider school community.

• Strong alignment with the School’s ethos, values and commitment to pupil safety.

THE CANDIDATE cont.

• Confident representing the School with governors, external partners or during inspections.

• Able to inspire confidence and motivate staff during periods of change or operational challenge.

Note: The first six points reflect core personal qualities essential to success in the role, while the
remaining items are highly desirable and enhance leadership presence and influence.

Candidates  should  ensure  that  they  address  all  of  the  above  criteria  in  their  application  form,

referring,  where  appropriate,  to  actual  experience.  In  addition,  the  interview  will  explore  issues

relating to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.

WHY WORK AT NEWLAND HOUSE
SCHOOL

Generous pay and allowances – based on

Cycle to work scheme – purchase bicycles

skills and experience.

and equipment at a tax advantageous rate

and pay for the equipment over 12 months.

Pension – teaching and non-teaching staff

enjoy a generous employer contribution

Career personal development – training and

pension scheme.

career development opportunities are

Longer holidays – than the maintained

sector for teachers (19 weeks) and a

minimum of 25 days for full-time non-

teaching staff plus bank holidays and

additional time at Christmas.

Staff fee remission – all staff are eligible for

fee remission after successful completion of

available for all teaching and non-teaching

staff. There are many opportunities to take

on additional responsibilities. Financial and

other support with obtaining relevant

professional qualifications.

Continuous appraisal process – to ensure

staff get regular feedback.

probation. The continuance and value of the

iPads – all teaching staff are given iPads for

school fee remission is at the discretion of

their teaching and assessment and non-

the Governors.

teaching staff when required as part of their

Enhanced sick and maternity/paternity pay

role.

Flexible and generous time off work policy –

exciting programme of socialising events

special leave, time off for dependents and

including quiz nights, karaoke, theatre trips,

appointments.

golfing weekends and many more.

Staff social committee – organise an

Lunches and refreshments – lunches and

Staff reps forum – an opportunity to get

refreshments are provided by the school to

your voice heard.

all members of staff, free of charge during

term time.

Flexible working options – job share and
part-time.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employees will be required to support and encourage the school’s ethos and its objectives, policies

and procedures as agreed by the governing body.

Employees shall uphold the school’s policy in respect of child protection and safeguarding matters.

Employees will be expected to comply with any reasonable request from their line manager or SLT

to undertake work of a similar level that is not specified in this job description.

All members of staff are required to participate in the school’s appraisal scheme.

The job  description  is  current at  the  date shown, but  in  consultation with you,  may be changed  by

the Head to reflect or anticipate changes in the job commensurate with the grade and job title.

It is not a comprehensive statement of procedures and tasks but sets out the main expectations of

school in relation to post-holder’s professional responsibilities and duties.

Safeguarding

Newland  House  School  is  committed  to  safeguarding  and  promoting  the  welfare  of  children  and

young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We adopt a fair, robust

and consistent recruitment process in accordance with the guidelines of the government document,

Keeping Children Safe in Education. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening

appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service

(DBS). The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the School is therefore

permitted  to  ask  job  applicants  to  declare  all  convictions  and  cautions  (including  those  which  are

"spent" unless they are "protected" under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to

work with children. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and

where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Newland  House  School  values  diversity,  equity  and  inclusion  for  its  pupils  and  staff.  We  want  our

community to feel valued and respected, so we are working hard to build an inclusive culture which

celebrates  diversity  in  different  forms to reflect  the  community we serve. We  believe  that having a

diverse workforce offers different perspectives which helps us to work towards our shared vision and

strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of  backgrounds to apply  to join

our School.

HOW TO APPLY

Candidates should pay attention to the summary of the role/person specification and explain within

their application how they meet the criteria, whilst also describing what they will bring to the post

from their own knowledge and experience.

Completed applications with a covering letter should be sent to HR Manager, Ashlesha Sarang-Patel

via email on ASarang-Patel@newlandhouse.net by the closing date. No CVs will be accepted.

Applications will be reviewed and shortlisted on a rolling basis, and we reserve the right to interview,

appoint and close the advert early depending on the volume of applications we receive. We therefore

encourage you to apply at the earliest opportunity to avoid disappointment. We will only be

contacting those candidates who have been selected to progress to the next stage of the process.

Please note that referees will be contacted prior to the interview.

If you would like an informal confidential discussion regarding this role prior to application then please

contact the Head, Chris Skelton via email on HeadsPA@newlandhouse.net