School Business Manager
Job Type: Permanent; full time; 52 weeks
Start Date: 5th January 2026 or earlier
Salary: Leadership Scale 9-14: £63,070 - £71,330pa
Holidays: 5 Weeks plus public holidays
Graded ‘Outstanding’ in all OFSTED inspections, Kendrick School is a centre of academic excellence with a track record of high performance and achievement.
Due to the retirement of our current School Business Manager at the end of the autumn term, we are seeking to appoint their replacement from 5th January 2026 or earlier. As the school’s leading support staff professional, you will be part of the Senior Leadership Team reporting directly to the Headteacher. You will be responsible for the financial strategy and business management of the school including the premises. As part of the role, you are the Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary to the Trustee Board.
The successful applicant will:
- Be educated to degree level and have a recognised CCAB Accountancy Qualification and/or a qualification in School Financial and Operational Leadership.
- Lead on all financial and business matters within the school, ensuring that financial decisions are clearly linked to the school’s strategic aims and development plan
- Have sound business knowledge, including premises and capital management, ideally in a school setting but not essential
- Have excellent organisational skills and an ability to prioritise
- Remain calm under pressure, with an ability to provide solutions and adapt to changing priorities
- Have good communication and written skills
- Be able to motivate and lead a team
- Attend meetings related to the requirements of the role of SBM after school, in person and remotely.
- Have an understanding and commitment to safeguarding, health and safety and promoting the welfare and educational outcomes of children.
Kendrick School is a welcoming, inclusive, and happy community, with students who are engaging, cooperative and eager to learn. Benefits include an Employee Assistance Programme, free car parking, a contributory pension scheme, training and development and use of the swimming pool and sporting facilities on the school site.
The Ofsted report in November 2022 stated:
“The Kendrick Pledge emphasises friendship, kindness, respect, equality, tolerance and justice, and these values underpin all that the school achieves. Pupils flourish in this exceptionally caring and inclusive learning environment. Secure, trusting relationships between staff and pupils ensure pupils feel very well supported and safe here. In turn, pupils’ excellent behaviour and impeccable manners make Kendrick a very special place to be”.
Further details and an application form can be downloaded below or obtained by emailing aemberson@kendrick.reading.sch.uk.
CVs cannot be accepted as a method of application.
SCHOOL BUSINESS MANAGER - APPLICATION PACK
Visits to the school are welcome. Please contact Amanda Emberson-Powney (aemberson@kendrick.reading.sch.uk) to arrange a visit.
Closing date for applications: 5pm Thursday 2nd October 2025
Interview: Friday 10th October 2025
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
Kendrick School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Any successful applicant will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure check by the Disclosure & Barring Service. Kendrick School is an Equal Opportunity employer