Job Information Pack Marketing & Social Media Assistant (FTC)

Job Information Pack Marketing & Social Media Assistant (FTC)

Welcome to Birkdale

Thank you for your interest in this role at Birkdale School. I hope this information pack provides you with everything you need to know about the vacancy, our school, and why we are proud to be a family where everyone is stronger together. Birkdale is a special place for boys and girls aged 4 to 18, from our Prep School through to the Sixth Form.

Our pupils learn and play alongside each other, supported by outstanding, passionate teachers and staff. We are dedicated to developing every individual's potential while achieving the best possible academic results.

We are a welcoming, happy, and aspirational environment, featuring small classes and expert teaching. This approach allows our pupils to learn effectively and achieve highly; typically, around two-thirds of all GCSE grades achieved are between grades 7 to 9.

We also offer a large number of extra-curricular activities in sport, music, drama, and other pastimes that enrich our students’ lives and help them develop new skills.

Our high expectations, huge breadth of activity, and outstanding pastoral care are all rooted in our strong Christian ethos, which characterises the education we offer. I look forward to potentially welcoming you to Birkdale soon

With best wishes,

Mr Ben Bowles Head, Birkdale School

The Role

We are seeking a creative, organised and enthusiastic Marketing and Social Media Assistant to join our busy and vibrant school community. This is an exciting opportunity for an individual with strong communication skills and a flair for digital content to help tell the story of our School, celebrate pupil achievement, and support our wider marketing and communications activity. Working closely with colleagues across the School, you will play a key role in creating engaging content that reflects our values, showcases school life, and strengthens our reputation within the local community and beyond.

This is an excellent opportunity to join the friendly and dynamic Birkdale School team, providing essential support to the Head of Marketing and Registrar. Working within a small and experienced team, the ability to work independently, take initiative and manage priorities effectively will be essential.

The role covers the full pupil journey, supporting with initial enquiries from prospective parents, and helping with open events through to pupils leaving us, your role will assist in ensuring that every family and pupil who engages with Birkdale School experiences a consistently positive experience.

The role is for 35 hours per week, with some flexibility in working pattern. However, availability during core hours of 8.30am to 4.00pm, Monday to Friday, is required, together with occasional evening and Saturday morning work for key events such as open days and admissions activities.

The post will be based predominantly at Birkdale Senior School, with travel between school sites required.

This is a fixed-term contract until 10 July 2027 and is all year round.

The role offers an excellent opportunity for a recent graduate or early-career marketing professional to gain hands-on experience across a broad range of marketing and admissions activities within an independent school environment. The successful candidate will be encouraged to bring creativity, energy and initiative to the role, with genuine scope to develop and grow over time.

Key Responsibilities

Marketing & Communications

• Support the Head of Marketing in the day-to-day delivery of marketing and admissions activity across Birkdale Prep and Senior School.

• Assist in the planning, development, and implementation of the School’s digital marketing strategy.

• Contribute to the creation, scheduling, and delivery of content across social media platforms and the School website.

• Actively manage social media channels, including posting updates, responding to messages, and engaging with audiences appropriately.

• Work with departments across the School to generate engaging content, including photography and storytelling.

Ensure all content aligns with Birkdale brand guidelines, values, and tone.

• Monitor and moderate social media channels to ensure appropriate and professional standards are maintained.

Regularly review and update digital content to ensure accuracy and relevance.

Admissions Support

• Support the Registrar and Head of Marketing with admissions administration.

• Respond to admissions enquiries via email and telephone in a professional and welcoming manner.

• Assist with the preparation, printing, and mailing of prospectus packs and admissions materials.

• Provide general administrative support to the admissions process as required.

Events & Engagement

• Assist and lead in the planning, coordination, and delivery of promotional events including open mornings, taster days, and other school events.

• Attend and support events to ensure their smooth running and positive experience for visitors.

Help create engaging and welcoming experiences for prospective families.

General Responsibilities

• Maintain consistent use of Birkdale branding across all platforms and materials.

• Contribute ideas for marketing campaigns and initiatives to enhance the profile of the School.

• Undertake general administrative duties including email monitoring and call handling.

• Contribute to safeguarding and the promotion of the welfare and wellbeing of children and young people.

Support the wider aims, ethos, and values of Birkdale School.

Person Specification

The ideal candidate will be:

• Educated to degree level (or equivalent) in Marketing, Digital Marketing, Communications, Journalism or a related field.

Enthusiastic, proactive, and eager to learn and develop professionally.

Highly organised with excellent attention to detail.

• A strong communicator with excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal skills.

Creative, with a good understanding of digital marketing and social media platforms.

Confident using IT systems, particularly Google Workspace.

• Able to work independently as well as collaboratively across multiple school sites.

• Friendly, approachable, and confident when engaging with parents and visitors.

• Experienced (or interested) in content creation, photography, and storytelling for digital platforms.

Experience within an educational setting is desirable but not essential.

Information about Birkdale

Birkdale is a very successful independent day school located in Sheffield for children aged from 4 to 18, amounting altogether to 770+ pupils.

Birkdale is located on three sites in south-west Sheffield, the 11-18 (Y7 to Y13) Senior School, the 4-11 (Reception to Y6) Prep School and the playing fields at Castle Dyke.

Birkdale is the only HMC (Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference) school in South Yorkshire and the Head is also a member of the Society of Heads. The Head of the Preparatory School is a member of IAPS (The Independent Association of Preparatory Schools).

The Christian ethos of the school manifests itself in the particularly friendly and supportive atmosphere. A good proportion of the staff are committed Christians, although as a community Birkdale is open to all, whatever their beliefs.

There have been some exciting developments in recent years which include the introduction of girls at Birkdale. From September 2020, Birkdale began the process of moving from being a school for boys only, with a co-educational sixth form to being a fully co-educational school.

From September 2024, all year groups at the Prep School were co-educational with the first 11+ co-educational cohort joining the Senior School.

This is an exciting time to join our school.

Additional Information

This is a full time fixed term contract until 10th July 2027.

Salary will depend on experience and qualifications, and will be commensurate with the responsibilities of the role and will be paid on the non-teaching pay scale on points 21 and 23 depending on experience (£25,317 and £26,736 per annum).

Pension: Birkdale offers an attractive private salary sacrifice pension scheme APTIS with Aviva which is open to all staff with 6% employer contribution.

Staff are entitled to a remission of school fees amounting up to 71.6% for full-time staff and pro rata for part- time and part year working staff.

Sick pay: The company sick pay scheme provides ex-gratia sick pay at the full rate for up to 3 months in any 12 months, with 50% income protection for extended sickness.

Additional Benefits: Death in service and access to additional wellbeing and health support including unlimited 24/7 remote GP appointments, Unlimited mental health support, Physiotherapy, Personal training, Nutrition consultations and more.

During term time, lunch is provided to staff on site.

Car parking is available on site.

How To Apply

Please submit:

A cover letter emailed to Victoria Cobley, Head of Marketing with no more than one side of A4 explaining why you believe you are interested in the role, and the skills and experiences you can bring to it (minimum font size of 11)

A completed Birkdale School application form which includes the names, addresses, e-mail addresses and telephone numbers of two referees. This can be found on our website >>

Recruitment timetable:

Closing date for applications – Friday, 29th May 2026

Interviews – w/c 8th June 2026

Email your application to: Victoria, Head of Marketing at recruit@birkdaleschool.org.uk by the closing date.

For an informal discussion regarding the role please do not hesitate to contact the above email address with any questions you may have. Applicants who do not provide a Covering Letter and Application Form, as stipulated, will unfortunately not be considered. If you have any difficulties in providing this, please do not hesitate to contact the HR team at Recruit@birkdaleschool.org.uk

Pre-Employment Checks

Birkdale School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our children and young people.

All applicants must be willing to undergo the relevant pre-employment checks relevant to the role. Current legislation applying to this post includes the The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2008 and the Asylum & Immigration Act 1996. Therefore, the successful candidate will be required to prove their eligibility to work in the UK and undergo appropriate criminal record checks, including an application for an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service. Details of the documentation etc needed in connection with all the above requirements will be sent to the shortlisted candidates. Prior to taking up appointment, we will then request a declaration about medical fitness, and proof of qualifications from the successful candidate.

Under the guidance set by KCSIE Birkdale School will conduct an online search for all shortlisted candidates.

Equal Opportunities

At Birkdale School, we strive to create a supportive and nurturing environment for all individuals.

We are dedicated to promoting equality and diversity, providing a level playing field for all of our staff and pupils. We aim to foster an inclusive culture, where diversity is celebrated and where everyone feels empowered, and encouraged to reach their full potential.

We welcome applications from all individuals, regardless of background, and encourage candidates from underrepresented groups to apply. If you meet most of the criteria but are unsure whether to apply, we encourage you to reach out - we value potential and a willingness to grow.

Stronger Together

birkdaleschool.org.uk