Operated by Digital Advantage, DISC is the Digital Independent Specialist College, a unique environment designed to help young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) move towards employment in the creative and digital economy. Based in the city centre of Manchester, DISC is a creative and digital studio providing supported work-based learning to help talented young people fulfil their potential and dreams.
DISC is for young people with SEND aged 16-24 who love creative and digital work and who would thrive in a professional, work-based learning environment, who love learning by doing and making and who want to develop their core skills to help them into the workplace. We are a professional and agile organisation seeking committed staff members who share our goal to improve the life chances of young people with SEND.
Safeguarding Statement
At DISC, we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all young people. We expect all staff, volunteers, and partners to share this commitment. As part of our safer recruitment practices, we follow rigorous procedures to ensure that all applicants are suitable to work with young people. This includes background checks, references, and adherence to our safeguarding policies. A copy of our Safeguarding Policy and Procedures is available upon request.
Department
Business Operations
Responsible to
Head of College
Contract Type
Term Time Only + 2 Weeks (permanent, part-year contract)
Hours of Work
9 - 4:30 pm
Salary
£26,754- £34, 497 FTE.
Pro rata salary for 41 weeks (39+2) £23,640 - £30,481
Location
Salford/ Holyoake House Manchester
Job Purpose
To provide a comprehensive and efficient administrative service to the college, with particular responsibility for the coordination of examinations and accreditation of administration. The postholder will act as the main point of contact for the examination board(s) and will liaise closely with the Local Authority on matters relating to V10 submissions and funding arrangements for learners with additional needs, ensuring the college meets its statutory and contractual reporting obligations.
Contract and Working Pattern
- Term time only, plus an additional two weeks to support pre-term preparation and post-term completion of administrative and examinations work (e.g. results processing, enrolment preparation).
- Exact working weeks to be confirmed annually in line with the college's published term dates, and the two additional weeks agreed with the line manager.
- Some flexibility around working hours may be required during college events and open days.
Key Responsibilities
1. General College Administration
- Provide day-to-day administrative support across the college, including correspondence, filing, data entry, and record-keeping.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date student records on the college's Management Information System (MIS).
- Act as a point of contact for students, parents/carers, staff and visitors, responding to queries professionally and promptly.
- Support the organisation of college events, meetings and open days, including room bookings, minute-taking and distribution of papers.
- Order, monitor and maintain office supplies and administrative resources as required.
- Support other college teams as required during peak periods (e.g. enrolment, induction).
- Coordinate applications for learner bursaries and free school meals, ensuring eligible learners are identified and supported through the application process in a timely and accurate manner.
- Liaise with relevant staff and external agencies to maintain up-to-date records and ensure compliance with funding and reporting requirements
- Oversee and provide mentorship to the Business Administrative apprentice and Office support worker
2. Examinations and Accreditation Administration
- Coordinate the administration of internal and external accredited courses, tests and assessments in line with awarding body regulations and the college's examinations policy.
- Maintain accurate examination entry data, including candidate registration, entries, withdrawals and amendments within awarding body deadlines
- Process and distribute examination results, certificates and related documentation to learners and relevant staff.
- Support the coordination of access arrangements and reasonable adjustments for learners, in line with awarding body and Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) requirements.
- Maintain accurate records to support internal and external quality assurance, moderation, and accreditation processes.
- Assist with the preparation of evidence and documentation for accreditation of visits, audits, and inspections.
3. Liaison with the Examination Board
- Act as the college's day-to-day administrative contact with the relevant examination board(s), including submission of entries, amendments and results of queries.
- Monitor examination board for correspondence, circulars and deadline updates, and communicate relevant changes to teaching and management staff.
- Coordinate the submission of non-exam assessment and moderation samples in line with examination board requirements.
- Support the resolution of any queries, discrepancies or appeals relating to examination entries or results.
4. Liaison with the Local Authority
- Liaise with the Local Authority regarding funding submissions and associated data returns, ensuring accuracy and adherence to reporting deadlines.
- Support the collation and submission of information required for the funding of learners with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) and other additional needs, including high needs/top-up funding claims.
- Maintain accurate records of additional needs funding allocations, reviews and Local Authority correspondence for individual learners.
- Work closely with the SENCO/Head of College to ensure funding documentation reflects learners' current needs and provision.
- Act as an administrative point of contact for Local Authority officers on funding, placement and review queries, escalating to Head of College as appropriate.
- Support annual reviews and audits relating to additional needs of funding, ensuring evidence files are complete and accessible.
5. Health, Safety and Safeguarding
- Help maintain a safe, healthy and secure working and learning environment for staff, visitors and interns/work placement learners, in line with the college's health and safety policy.
- Act in accordance with the college's safeguarding and child protection policy at all times, treating safeguarding as everyone's responsibility.
- Support the safeguarding of interns, work placement learners and other students on college premises or external placements, including maintaining accurate placement, DBS, and induction records.
- Recognise and respond appropriately to signs that an intern may be at risk of harm, escalating concerns promptly to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) in line with the college's procedures.
- Contribute to a positive, respectful, and inclusive working culture that safeguards the wellbeing of all learners, interns, and colleagues.
Person Specification
Essential
- Good general education, including GCSE (or equivalent) in English and Mathematics at grade C/4 or above.
- Proven administrative experience, ideally within a school, college or education setting.
- Experience of, or willingness to quickly learn, examinations, administration processes and awarding body systems.
- Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage competing deadlines and maintain accuracy under pressure.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the confidence to liaise professionally with external bodies (examination boards, Local Authority).
- Competent user of Microsoft Office and Management Information Systems (MIS).
- High level of accuracy and attention to detail, particularly with data handling and record-keeping.
- Understanding and commitment to, safeguarding and confidentiality in an education setting.
Desirable
- Experience of examinations of administration and awarding body portals (e.g. entries, results, access arrangements).
- Knowledge of Local Authority funding processes for learners with SEND, including EHCP top-up/high needs funding.
- Experience of working with an Examinations Officer or awarding body directly.
- Relevant administrative or examinations qualification (e.g. Certificate in Education Administration, JCQ Examinations Officer training).
Other Requirements
- This post is subject to an Enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.
- The postholder will be required to work flexibly during registration and External Quality Assurance Visits, which may occasionally fall close to term boundaries.
- Commitment to ongoing professional development, including attendance at relevant examination board and Local Authority training/updates.
Applications
To ensure we meet our safeguarding and safer recruitment process, applications will only be accepted via a full application form. To apply, please copy and paste the following ling into an external browser: https://form.jotform.com/262154023897359. Applications via Indeed only will not be accepted.
Pay: From £26,754.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company events
- Company pension
- Sick pay
- Transport links
Education:
- GCSE or equivalent (preferred)
Experience:
- Administrative: 1 year (preferred)
Work Location: In person
