Job Title: Operations Manager
Location: Burgess Hill, time will be split working between the school and college sites
Contract Type: Permanent, term time plus 5 inset days plus 1 week (flexible timing) during school holidays

Hours: 35 hours per week plus 30 minute lunch break, 8.00am to 3.30pm Monday to Friday

Salary: NJC Grade 8 – Actual pro rata starting salary £27395

About Us
Woodlands Meed is a thriving, inclusive school dedicated to providing high-quality education and fostering a supportive, inspiring environment for students, staff, and families. We are seeking a highly organised and proactive Operations Manager to play a key role in the smooth running of our school.

The Role
The attached job description provides a comprehensive explanation of the key responsibilities of the role.

What We’re Looking For
We are seeking someone who is:

• Highly organised, with excellent attention to detail.
• A strong communicator who can work with staff, governors, and external partners.
• Experienced in managing people, systems, and processes in a busy organisation (experience in an educational setting is desirable but not essential).
• Confident with IT systems.
• Proactive, adaptable, and solutions-focused.

What We Offer

• A supportive, collaborative school community.
• Professional development opportunities and training.
• A chance to make a real difference in the lives of children and families.

How to Apply
Please complete the application form and return it to recruitment@woodlandsmeed.co.uk by 10^th October 2025.

For an informal conversation about the role or to arrange a school visit, please contact office@woodlandsmeed.co.uk

Closing date: 11^th November 2025

To start: December 2025

Woodlands Meed is seeking either a qualified HLTA or the right candidate willing to undertake the HLTA qualification training.

Qualified HLTA Salary: NJC Grade 8 Point 20-24 £ 32597-£35412 pa (pro-rata; £26801 - £29115 pa)

Trainee HLTA salary; NJC Grade 6 Point 9-12  £27254-£28598 pa ( pro-rata; £22209-£23304pa)

Hours: Monday-Friday 8.45-4.00 daily (Tuesdays until 5.00)  35 hours per week plus 30-minute unpaid lunch break

Key Skills & Experience

• Advanced Teaching Support & Leadership Proven ability to lead whole classes, support diverse learners, and contribute to planning and delivery of high-quality PE lessons and cross-curricular wellbeing activities.
• Programme & Event Coordination Experience managing enrichment programmes such as Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, including planning trips, liaising with external agencies, and ensuring compliance with safeguarding and health & safety standards.
• Monitoring & Assessment Expertise Competence in tracking pupil progress, adapting teaching strategies, and using assessment tools to inform planning and support inclusive learning.
• Operational & Administrative Proficiency Ability to manage PE resources, update admin systems and maintain accurate records and risk assessments.

The HLTA role involves being a senior member of support staff. HLTAs cover teacher PPA and absences in any relevant class and regularly plan and deliver their own timetabled lessons. 

Unqualified candidates; must be prepared to attend a 6-session assessment workshop via zoom (during the school day) leading to a half day school-based assessment. 

Course Session Dates

• Monday 12 January 2026
• Tuesday 13 January 2026
• Monday 19 January 2026
• Tuesday 20 January 2026
• Monday 2 March 2026
• Tuesday 3 March 2026

Once qualified, the HLTAs will be assigned their PE specialism and will assume responsibility for the delivery of the Duke of Edinburgh Award programme.

Applicants must be able to evidence Level 2 Maths & English qualifications (equivalent to GCSE A*-C grade) and provide certificates to support their application.  

How to apply if unqualified

Send an e-mail with both completed application forms and evidence of level 2 qualifications (equivalent to GCSE A*-C grade) to recruitment@woodlandsmeed.co.uk 

Be aware that the Woodlands Meed CPD policy state that staff who have had courses with substantial training costs may be asked to pay these costs back if they leave soon after completion of the training. 

 

How to apply if qualified

Completed application forms should be emailed to recruitment@woodlandsmeed.co.uk.

Closing date; 14th November

Interviews week beginning; 24th November

20 hrs per week, term time only, 10.00am to 2.00pm Monday to Friday.

We would also consider additional hours for the right candidate.

Pupil support assistants are required to work in the dining hall and playground over the lunch period. We also like our PSA staff to work with pupils in the classrooms before and after lunch.

Salary: NJC Grade 3 (£24796 to £25185). To be paid pro rata - £11545.

Closing date: 10/10/25

Interviews: 17/10/25

Woodlands Meed is a foundation special school with a wide range of learning difficulties and complex special needs, including Autistic Spectrum Conditions and Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties.

Our pupil, are aged 2-19 and all hold EHCPs.

We are also a Specialist School for Communication and Interaction. Interested applicants need to have experience or a keen interest in meeting the needs of learners with a wide range of special needs and the ability to contribute positively to a team of class staff.

A full training programme will form part of your induction and a comprehensive INSET training package will equip you to meet the needs of our learners.

We also offer all staff access to a bespoke employee wellbeing programme.

Woodlands Meed is an inclusive employer and committed to ensuring applicants with a disability are guaranteed an interview provided the minimum requirements for the role are met.  We will ensure any reasonable adjustments you may need to access the interview are in place.  We are committed to the Government Disability Confident scheme.

35 hours per week plus an unpaid lunch break

Monday to Friday 8.45am to 4.00pm (5.00pm on Tuesdays)

Term time only plus 5 inset days per year

Salary: £20,847-£21,858 actual pro-rata pa based on experience
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Pattern: Term Time only
Location: Woodlands Meed School 
Closing Date:

Interviews: 24/10/25

To be successful in this role you will need to evidence a desire to work with and improve outcomes for our young people, be open to development opportunities and flexible in a fast moving working environment.