We are seeking a dedicated and highly organised Operations Manager to join our school leadership team and play a vital role in ensuring our school provides a safe, supportive and nurturing environment where every pupil can thrive.

Working closely with the Headteacher, Trust colleagues and school staff, you will lead the school's operational functions, including administration, finance, health and safety, estates and ICT. As Operations manager, you oversee key support teams and ensure that the systems, resources and facilities that underpin our specialist provision are managed efficiently and effectively. You will also work closely with schools HR Lead.

This is a varied and rewarding role requiring excellent leadership, communication and organisational skills. You will be responsible for maintaining high standards of compliance, safeguarding, financial management and operational excellence, while supporting continuous improvement across the school.

The successful candidate will have experience of managing teams and administrative systems, strong financial and organisational skills, and the ability to build positive relationships with staff, families and external partners. Experience within education, particularly within a specialist or SEND setting, would be advantageous.

Our pupils would like someone who is:

Funny, happy, caring, keeps us safe and helps us to learn!"

We value……. Community – Resilience – Wellbeing – Respect - Empowerment

At the Russett School we seek to prepare our learners for life through prioritising skills required to meet their full potential. Through our specialist curriculum, our children and young people are empowered through a strong emphasis on the development of individual communication strategies and life skills. Our Russett team provide enriching and safe environments, where our pupils are encouraged to develop independence, whilst promoting well-being for a happy and fulfilled future.

The Russett School is a specialist setting registered for pupils aged 2 to 19 years whose primary need is associated with having a Severe Learning Difficulty (also known as SLD) and/or Complex Learning Needs. We are also part of Shaw Education Trust.

Our curriculum is bespoke. This means that it has been carefully designed specifically for learners who have SLD. It has been written to meet the varying needs of pupils who first and foremost have a severe impairment in relation to their cognitive function and or learning ability.

The Russett School also supports pupils who may have further needs in addition to their severe learning difficulty. For example; some of our pupils have severe communication and interaction needs.

Pupils at Russett undertake learning activities within classes in mixed ability groups of around 11 pupils with peers similar in age.

Class sizes are generally supported by 4 adult adults (one class teacher and three Teaching Assistants).

At Shaw Education Trust, we believe every role has the power to transform a life. Whether you’re supporting behind the scenes, inspiring in the classroom, or leading with vision, you will be part of something truly meaningful.

Our values — opportunity, integrity, community, and equity — guide everything we do. Our vision is “Opening doors to the world through the power of learning.” We bring this to life through our mission: working together to inspire communities where every school is valued, every voice matters, and every learner thrives.

We are a dynamic and growing family of primary, secondary, and special schools, proudly serving communities from Birmingham to Bury.

Our people are our greatest asset, and we are deeply committed to their development through high-quality training, apprenticeships, talent development programmes, and research opportunities, we empower our staff to thrive as skilled, confident professionals. We champion wellbeing, value every voice, and foster a culture where you feel supported, motivated, and inspired to make a real difference.

You will join a collaborative network of schools where shared expertise and a strong professional community drive success. Every academy within our Trust has an equal voice, and every colleague plays a vital role in shaping tailored learning experiences that raise aspirations and build brighter futures.

If you have the passion, dedication, and drive to help shape lives and create futures filled with promise, we would love you to join our team.

Together, let’s make the remarkable happen.

We believe every child has the potential to be extraordinary.

Our Special Schools are dedicated to supporting children and young people with a broad spectrum of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.

From those with profound medical conditions and life-limiting illnesses, to individuals with severe, moderate, or sensory needs, and those experiencing social, emotional, or mental health challenges, our settings are designed to provide the care, understanding, and expertise each young person needs to thrive.

Whether you're a teacher, teaching assistant, healthcare professional, or part of our facilities, administration, or operations teams, you will find a welcoming, family-like environment where every role is valued.

At the heart of each school is a shared commitment to putting children, young people, and their families first.

Each pupil receives a personalised education and learns in small groups or classes, supported by dedicated staff who tailor their approach to meet individual needs.

Working in our Special Schools is more than a job; it’s an opportunity to be part of a compassionate team that empowers children and young people to live their best life and build a bright future.

The difference you make will be life-changing, not only for them but for their families too.

Shaw Education Trust offer the following employee benefits with your Teaching or Support Staff employment:

An excellent Local Government Pension Scheme (Support Staff) / Teachers Pension (Teaching Staff)
Support Staff only based on working full time, all year - Generous holiday entitlement from your first day of employment (37 days holiday rising to 39 days after 5 years’ service including Bank Holidays)
Access to Medicash Health & Wellbeing Plan: Enjoy health services designed to support your well-being.
Free DiscountForTeachers Scheme for all staff (Support and Teaching), Exclusive discounts to save money with a wide selection of discounts and exclusive offers from hundreds of the biggest brands.
Free Eye Tests
Cycle to work scheme
Access to our Institute of Education and fantastic opportunities to help you grow, contribute and flourish in your role and in the Trust.

We know our people are the key to our success and so we’re committed to ensuring the employment experience at Shaw Education Trust is a rewarding one.

Colleagues within the Trust benefit from: Access to a full range of courses both in-house and professionally accredited. These courses include a variety of the National Professional Qualifications and the Early Carer Teacher Programme delivered by Shaw Education Trust as a delivery partner for Ambition Institute.

Experienced leadership and subject-specific support.
Guidance from former HMIs and serving Ofsted Inspectors within the Trust.
Access to the Trust’s Institute of Education and SCITT.
Opportunities to work with different schools within the Trust as a Professional Advocate.
Participating in peer reviews.
Access to a suite of online courses.
Placement projects within our family of schools.

Actual Salary: £30,127 - £34,150 – Pay Award Pending

Working Hours: 37 hours per week, Term time only plus 2 weeks (Working 40 weeks per year)

The Russett School

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Operations Manager