Secretary jobs in Oxfordshire

Headmaster’s Executive Assistant

Are you a highly organised, discreet, and proactive professional who thrives in a dynamic environment?
Bloxham School is seeking a dedicated Executive Assistant to the Headmaster—a pivotal role that supports the leadership and smooth running of one of the country’s most respected independent boarding schools.

Salary:

· £40,000 to £45,000 depending on experience

Working Arrangements:

· Normal working hours are 40 hours a week, plus a 30 minutes unpaid lunchbreak 08:00 to 16:30 Monday to Friday. Occasional Saturday working will be required to support school events such as open days.

· Full year working.

· On site working.

· Due to the demands of the role, holidays are to be taken out of term time and not during the first and last week of the summer school holidays.

· Opportunity for flexible working hours during the summer holidays as long as this supports the Headmaster’s requirements.

Start Date:

· 4 January 2027

About Us:

Bloxham School is a leading independent boarding and day school with a proud tradition of academic excellence, pastoral care, and co-curricular opportunity. Set in beautiful grounds, our vibrant and inclusive community is built on mutual respect, integrity, and a commitment to the holistic development of every pupil. We are forward-thinking yet rooted in strong values, fostering a culture where both students and staff are supported to thrive. As a school, we place great importance on collaboration, innovation, and the wellbeing of all members of our community. Joining Bloxham means becoming part of a dynamic team dedicated to making a meaningful difference in young people’s lives.

The Role:

As the Executive Assistant (EA) to the Headmaster, you will be the key professional support to a busy and high-profile leader. You’ll ensure his time and responsibilities are managed efficiently while upholding the school’s exceptional standards of professionalism, discretion and care. This role is ideal for someone who combines strategic thinking with meticulous attention to detail, and who can handle confidential matters with poise and integrity.

You'll be:

• The first point of contact for the Headmaster—engaging warmly with pupils, parents, staff, and visitors.
• Managing the Headmaster’s professional and personal scheduling, correspondence, and meetings.
• Preparing reports, briefing documents, and minutes.
• Coordinating internal communication across the Senior Leadership Team.
• Handling sensitive information with absolute confidentiality.
• Attending occasional marketing and school events outside of school hours.

Leadership Responsibilities:

You’ll also line manage a small administrative team, with responsibility for:

• Day-to-day operations
• Performance and development of team members
• Operational efficiency and quality assurance
• Budget oversight and resource allocation
• Facilitating internal communication and process improvement

What We’re Looking For:

We are looking for an individual who is calm under pressure, highly professional, and passionate about delivering exceptional support in a busy and rewarding environment.

Essential Requirements:

• Minimum 2 years' experience supporting a senior executive, ideally a CEO or Head.
• Excellent organisational and time-management skills.
• Advanced IT skills including Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel (typing speed 50+ wpm).
• Impeccable written and verbal communication skills.
• A confident, warm and approachable demeanour.
• Strong judgement, discretion and integrity in handling sensitive matters.

Desirable Attributes:

• Experience in a school or educational setting.
• Background in marketing or customer service.
• Experience leading others in an administrative environment.

Why Join Us?

At Bloxham School, you will be part of a vibrant and welcoming community, deeply committed to safeguarding and supporting the wellbeing of all students and staff. Our Administration Department plays a critical role in the success of the school, and you will be at the heart of its strategic leadership.

This is a rewarding and high-impact opportunity for someone who takes pride in their work, enjoys variety, and thrives on collaboration.

Benefits:

• For an introduction to Bloxham School and the benefits offered to staff please view our ‘Working at Bloxham School’ booklet available on the school website.

How to Apply:

· To apply for this role please complete the Bloxham School support staff application form available on the school website. Please send the completed application form via an email attachment to: recruitment@bloxhamschool.com.

Applications will be assessed upon receipt, and we reserve the right to interview and appoint prior to the closing date. Therefore, an early application is strongly advised.

For further information about the school please visit the Bloxham School website. If you have any queries, please contact the HR Department on 01295 724379 or at recruitment@bloxhamschool.com.

· Application deadline – 9am, Monday 2nd November 2026

· Interviews planned for 9th November 2026 (to be confirmed)

Safeguarding:

The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). The School may carry out online searches on shortlisted applicants and all applicants will be required to provide details of their online profile, including social media account names/handles, as part of their application.

The safeguarding responsibilities of the post include:

The post holder’s responsibility will include promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young persons for whom s/he is responsible, or with whom s/ he comes into contact. The post holder will be required to adhere to and ensure compliance with the School’s Child Protection Policy at all times. If, in the course of carrying out the duties of the post, the post holder becomes aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety or welfare of children in the School, s/he must report any concerns to the School’s Designated Safeguarding Lead.

The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. The School is therefore permitted to ask job applicants to declare all convictions and cautions on a self-declaration form in advance of attending an interview (including those which are "spent" unless they are "protected" under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: £40,000.00-£45,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Discounted or free food
• Free parking
• On-site parking
• Sick pay

Work Location: In person