Assistant Exams Officer

Location: Uppingham

Salary: £24,963.69 per annum (FTE £34,414.78)

Hours:

35 hours per week, 33 weeks per year

Contract:

Permanent
Reporting to:
Exams Officer

Uppingham School, founded in 1584, is a leading co-educational independent boarding school which runs 24/7 in term-time. It has a strong academic profile and excellent pastoral care with an international reputation, and state-of-the-art science, sports and music facilities. Its c. 800 pupils, aged 11-18, are accommodated in 15 boarding houses, taught by over 20 academic departments, and participate in numerous extra-curricular activities such as sports, music, and drama.

The academic programme is supported by business units responsible for marketing, estates, finance, HR, IT, operations (catering, cleaning, and procurement), health and safety, and the School's trading subsidiary. The School employs c. 550 staff.

Uppingham is committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and welcomes applications from anyone who feels they could fulfil the role.

The Role

To support the administration, organisation and successful delivery of examinations across the School, ensuring all examination activities are conducted efficiently, securely and in full compliance with regulatory requirements. The Assistant Exams Officer coordinates examination operations, invigilation arrangements, candidate records, access arrangements and examination technology, whilst providing high-quality support to staff and pupils throughout the examination cycle.

Key responsibilities include:

Recruiting, training, scheduling and supporting invigilators, including maintaining availability records, cover arrangements and timesheets
Planning and delivering all examinations, including exam-day operations, room set-up, seating plans and post-examination administration
Maintaining secure receipt, storage, distribution and audit trails for examination papers and materials, in line with examination security regulations
Administering approved access arrangements in line with JCQ and awarding body regulations, including timetables, documentation and specialist equipment
Working with IT to manage examination technology, digital assessments and assistive technology provision
Maintaining up-to-date knowledge of JCQ and awarding body regulations, and supporting NEA administration and marks submissions
Supporting mock examinations and internal assessments, and assisting with results days, post-results services and certificate administration
Maintaining accurate candidate records and UCI information, and liaising with internal and external stakeholders including departments, awarding bodies, invigilators and suppliers
Maintaining confidentiality, accuracy and attention to detail; working flexibly during peak examination periods; and contributing to continuous improvement while upholding the highest standards of examination integrity and candidate experience.

What We're Looking For

Essential:

Experience in examination administration or a comparable administrative role, ideally within a school or educational environment
Strong understanding of regulatory compliance, JCQ regulations and examination systems (e.g. MIS such as iSAMS, SIMS), along with data security and confidentiality requirements
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and other IT packages, with excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines
Strong attention to detail and accuracy, combined with excellent interpersonal and communication skills to liaise effectively with staff, pupils, parents and external bodies
A flexible, calm and methodical approach, able to work both independently and collaboratively, particularly during peak periods
Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion, and a genuine commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people
Reliable, professional, approachable and solutions-focused, with a willingness to contribute flexibly to wider school life
Desirable:

Experience of coordinating staff or line managing casual workers, and of supervising large groups of school children
Benefits

Benefits include free Westfield Healthcare; free membership of the dual-use Sports Centre (£25 annual joining fee); free staff lunches in term-time; a school fee discount for children of Uppingham staff (pro-rated for part-time staff); retail, gym, supermarket, cinema and restaurant discounts; a cycle to work scheme; an Employee Assistance Programme;
Occupational Health Services; free annual flu jabs;…