Portsmouth High School is seeking an Administrative Assistant to work in our school office. Are you looking for a position with the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of students and contribute to the smooth operation of our vibrant school community? If you are a team player with a can-do attitude, attention to detail and aptitude for using office software, this role could be for you.
School name: Portsmouth High School GDST, Kent Road, Southsea-
Required from: October 2026
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Contract Term: Permanent
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Hours: Part Time (28.5 hours pw during term time and 20 hours pw during school holiday periods)
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Weeks: Full Year (including school holiday periods)
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Salary: GDST Regional Support Grade 2 (£27,132 pa pro rata ie: £20,238 pa)
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced administrator looking to work within our friendly school office environment. The successful applicant will join supportive colleagues at both the Prep and Senior schools.
You will put your skills to use in a dynamic educational setting with opportunities for customer service, frontline support, maintaining records, assisting with event coordination and facilitating effective communication.
A shift system is in place during term times to man the reception desk during opening hours. The hours for this role are:
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Monday to Thursdays: 11:45 am to 5:00 pm
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Fridays: 8:30 am to 5:00 pm (with a one-hour lunch break)
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Holiday periods: 8:00 am to 12:00 midday
Holidays are taken during school holiday periods and include 1 week at Christmas and 3 weeks during August.
The school
Portsmouth High School has been educating girls since 1882 and is part of the Girls’ Day School Trust (GDST) which is the UK’s leading network of independent girls’ schools. Pupils are happy, confident and ambitious giving them an unparalleled preparation for life. The school is located in Southsea, an attractive region on the south coast with excellent transport links. The area has retained much of its original Georgian character; notably, two of the school buildings were designed by architect Thomas Ellis Owen who was instrumental in shaping development of the local area.
We are a welcoming and caring community and pride ourselves on being a lovely place to work. The school offers a range of career opportunities both internally and more widely throughout the GDST network and is committed to staff well-being.
Benefits
We offer a variety of benefits, such as:
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A discount of up to 50% on fees for children at GDST schools
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Competitive salaries
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Access to extensive professional development opportunities
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Training grants for qualifications
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Flexible pension schemes
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Free life assurance benefit
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Employee discount benefits, financial advice and an employee assistance programme
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A Cycle to Work scheme
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Competitive terms and conditions of employment
Apply
The closing date for applications is midday on Thursday 13 August 2026. Applications will be assessed upon receipt and we reserve the right to interview and appoint prior to the closing date.
Interview date: Tuesday 25 August 2026 tbc.
This role will involve daily contact with children. The Administrative Assistant will therefore be engaging in regulated activity and an Enhanced DBS with Barred List checks will be required. All school staff have a responsibility to work in accordance with statutory requirements and GDST Safeguarding and Child Protection policy and procedures.
The Girls’ Day School Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection checks appropriate to the post, including online searches, checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.
The school's safeguarding policy can be found here: https://www.portsmouthhigh.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Safeguarding-and-Child-Protection-Policy.pdf
We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all qualified individuals. To be eligible for employment, candidates must provide proof of their right to work in the UK.
