Head of Operations

“The Unicorn School has been truly lifechanging for my child and me.”Application packHead of OperationsHead of OperationsAbout the Schoolwww.unicornoxford.co.ukAt The Unicorn School, we transform the lives of children with learningdifferences and those of their families. With a personalised curriculum, highly qualified staff, cutting-edge technologyand kindness, we create the conditions for children to thrive and families toflourish. We are a small, independent school for children aged 7 to 16 years. Wespecialise in helping children who are struggling to achieve their potential inmainstream education. These children might have a diagnosis of dyslexia,dyscalculia or dyspraxia, often with co-occurring Autism or ADHD. This canpresent as difficulties with language, speech, literacy or numeracy that are likelyto have a significant impact on their self-esteem, happiness and futureopportunities. www.unicornoxford.co.ukExpansionIn 2024, we received 375 enquiries for 24 places from parents who aredesperate to find a school that can support their child or from six localauthorities who have hundreds of children on their waiting lists. Therefore, thereis a clear need to expand.In September 2025 we opened our new school building, The Ock Buidling. Thissecond site is opposite our existing school, enabling us to double in size. The sitealso means that we can offer a post-16, life skills provision for the first time. This expansion presents exciting opportunities for our staff as well as ourstudents and their families as we grow our student body and breadth of ourcurriculum, especially at KS4.Head of OperationsBenefits of working with us www.unicornoxford.co.ukSupportive staff, and an involved community who are committed to schoolimprovement, who will work with you to achieve your goalsStudents who are enthusiastic and highly motivated with a love of learningExcellent premises and well-equipped classrooms providing a modern andtechnologically advanced learning environment for students. FromSeptember 2025 KS4 are housed in a newly developed building across theroad.The opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of our studentsA competitive salary (including a staff laptop) and pension contributionsProfessional support to continually progress and develop your careerAccess to Simply HealthHead of OperationsMain Purpose of the Rolewww.unicornoxford.co.ukThe Head of Operations plays a central role in ensuring the effective, safe andefficient running of The Unicorn School. Working closely with the Head andSenior Management Team, the role provides strategic leadership for theoperational functions of the school, including estates, compliance, ITinfrastructure, administrative systems and HR processes.  The postholder will ensure that the operational infrastructure of the schoolsupports the delivery of outstanding education and care for pupils, whileenabling the continued development and growth of the school.  The role requires a proactive and highly organised leader who can overseemultiple operational areas while contributing to the strategic direction and long-term planning of the school.  Head of Operationswww.unicornoxford.co.ukKey Responsibilities and DutiesStrategic Leadership Member of the Senior Management Team.  Advise the Head on operational strategy, risk and organisationaldevelopment.  Contribute to the development and delivery of the School Development Plan.  Ensure operational systems support the school’s strategic objectives andgrowth.  Support major development projects including estate expansion andinfrastructure improvements.  Provide operational reports and advice to the Governing Bodywhen required.  Human Resource SupportLine management of the HR staff. Liaise with external HR consultants as required.  Provide advice and operational oversight on HR processes includingrecruitment, contracts and staff records.  Support the Head and Governors on employment matters in conjunction withexternal advisers.  Ensure HR policies and procedures remain compliant with employmentlegislation.  Estates and Facilities ManagementLine management of the site and facilities team.  Oversee the maintenance, safety and effective use of the school’s buildingsand grounds.  Develop and maintain a long-term Estates Master Plan for The Unicorn Trust.  Ensure buildings and facilities remain safe, compliant and fit for educationaluse.  Oversee planned preventative maintenance schedules.  Ensure compliance with all relevant health and safety and fire regulations.  Oversee utilities, service contracts and site security arrangements.  Maintain relationships with contractors and statutory authoritiesas required.  Head of Operationswww.unicornoxford.co.ukHealth, Safety and Compliance  Overall responsibility for operational compliance across the school.  Ensure compliance with relevant legislation including Health & Safety andData Protection.  Maintain and regularly review the School Risk Register.  Ensure that risk assessments are kept up to date and implementedeffectively.  Liaise with the Health & Safety Governor as required.  Ensure policies and procedures remain compliant with regulatoryrequirements and best practice.  Support the school in maintaining inspection readiness.  Overseeing internal and external communication on those matters that arethe responsibility of the Head of Operations. Administration and Operational Systems  Line management of the Office Manager.  Oversee the effective running of the school office and administrativesystems.  Ensure efficient internal communication and administrative processes acrossthe school.  Provide operational support to staff where required.  IT and Digital Infrastructure Manage the school’s external IT support contract. Ensure effective IT support for staff and pupils. Liaise with the academic IT lead to develop and implement the school’s ITdevelopment plan. Ensure digital systems effectively support teaching, administration andsafeguarding. Head of Operationswww.unicornoxford.co.ukInsurance, Transport and Services  Responsibility for the school’s insurance arrangements.  Oversee the maintenance, safety and use of school vehicles.  Provide oversight of pupil transport services where applicable.  Ensure all relevant service contracts are appropriately managed.  Governance  Attend Full Governing Body meetings and relevant committee meetingsas required.  Liaise with Governors responsible for estates, compliance and health &safety.  Provide reports and operational updates to Governors where appropriate.  Support governance processes and company secretarial requirements for TheUnicorn Trust.  Head of OperationsPerson Specification The successful candidate will demonstrate:  Experience managing estates, operations or facilities  Strong organisational and operational leadership skills  Excellent problem-solving and decision-making ability  Strong interpersonal and communication skills  Ability to manage multiple operational areas effectively  Commitment to the ethos and values of The Unicorn School  The Unicorn School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare ofall its pupils. As a Head of Understanding Our World, you will be expected to:  Work in line with the school's safeguarding and child protection policies andprocedures, as well as relevant statutory guidance (e.g., Keeping ChildrenSafe in Education, Prevent)Collaborate with the designated safeguarding lead (DSL) to ensure the bestinterests of pupils are promoted, including sharing concerns where necessaryMaintain a vigilant and proactive approach to identifying and responding topotential safeguarding issuesParticipate in regular safeguarding training to keep your knowledge andunderstanding up to datePromote a culture of safeguarding and pupil welfare throughout your work atthe schoolCommitment to Safeguarding and WelfareHead of OperationsMaking an applicationApplication FormCVs are not accepted as part of the application process. If you wish to beconsidered for this post, please complete the application form, providing fulldetails of your education and employment history, including any unpaid orvoluntary work. Where there are gaps in your employment, please state thereasons why (eg. gap year, career break, unemployment etc).You will note that we require details of two referees, one of which must be yourcurrent or most recent employer.Suitability for this PositionThis section of the form is very important. It gives you an opportunity to explainwhy you are applying and why you are the best person for this job. Use theinformation provided in this application pack as your guide, and give specificexamples, where possible, to demonstrate how you match the requirements forthis post.Please remember to sign the declaration on the final page of the applicationform.Please return your completed application form to:recruitment@unicornoxford.co.uk marked for the attention of AlisonWoodworth-Sturla.Alternatively, if you are submitting a hard copy application, please post to:FAO Diane KenyonThe Unicorn School20 Marcham RoadAbingdonOX14 1AAwww.unicornoxford.co.ukHead of OperationsInterview and selection processThose candidates who meet all the requirements for the post will be shortlistedand details of the interview programme will be confirmed in writing.As part of the selection process, in addition to your skills and knowledge againstthe requirements of this role, specific questions will be asked to assess yoursuitability to work with children.Under the Equality Act 2010, we are legally required to consider makingreasonable adjustments to ensure that disabled people are not disadvantaged inthe recruitment and selection process. We are therefore committed to meeting,wherever possible, any needs you may specify on the application form. Pleasecontact the school if you need to discuss this in any detail.We will consider any reasonable adjustments under the terms of the Equality Actto enable an applicant with a disability (as defined under the act) to meet therequirements of the post.Induction and continuous professional developmentThe Head Teacher and School Governing Body are committed to ensuring yourwell-being and continuous professional development in this role. Onappointment, the Head Teacher will discuss an appropriate induction programmewith you which will help familiarise you with the culture of the school, localpractices and policies.You will be offered the opportunity to further develop your professionalknowledge by participating in local training events and, where appropriate,working towards further qualifications such as NVQs. Support staff employees new to The Unicorn School will be subject to aprobationary period of 6 months.www.unicornoxford.co.ukHead of OperationsReferencesIf you are shortlisted, we will normally take up references before the interviewdate; however there is an option to decline this on the application form. If you donot give permission to contact your referees prior to interview, we will onlycontact them should an offer be made and accepted. One of your referees must beyour current or most recent employer. Two satisfactory references must bereceived before we confirm any offer of an appointment. The information werequest will relate to salary, length of service, sickness and absence record,skills and abilities, suitability for the job, disciplinary record and suitability towork with children. Copies of references, or references addressed “to whom it may concern”, will notbe accepted. On receipt of references, your referees may be contacted to verifyany discrepancies, anomalies, or relevant issues as part of the recruitmentverification process.Pre-employment checkswww.unicornoxford.co.ukDisclosure & Barring ChecksEmployment at this school is subject to an enhanced check with the Disclosure &Barring Service. Registration with the Independent Safeguarding Authority willalso be a requirement prior to confirming an offer of employment.Under the Rehabilitation ofOffenders Act 1974 (ExemptionAmendment) Order 1986, thereare a number of jobs where wemust take account of convictions,even though they are ‘spent’. Allposts at this school are regardedas such.However, spent and/or unspentconvictions may not necessarilymake you unsuitable for anappointment.Head of OperationsRight to Work in the United KingdomUnder the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996, it is a criminal offence to employanyone who is not entitled to live or work in the United Kingdom. Applicants canexpect us to ask for proof of this at interview stage, where you will be asked toprovide some original documentation to confirm that you are eligible to workwithin the UK. Photographic proof of identity will also be required.Medical AssessmentA satisfactory medical form will be required before we confirm any offer of anappointment. If there are concerns, a medical assessment will be required.www.unicornoxford.co.ukValidation of QualificationsAll short-listed candidates will be asked to bring original certificates of relevantqualifications to interview. These will be photocopied and kept on file and may beconfirmed as genuine with the relevant awarding bodies.Head of Operations