Truro and Penwith Academy Trust, together with Mousehole School, are seeking to appoint a friendly and committed secretary. Mousehole School is in a beautiful harbour setting between Penzance and Lands End, with excellent facilities and links to the local community. The real strength of the school lies in the people: staff, children, parents and the local monitoring committee are proud of our school and work hard to provide a caring and stimulating environment for learning. We share an ethos which promotes high standards in academic achievement allied with a broad, stimulating, hands on curriculum. We celebrate and encourage the talents and skills of all of our children. Our aim is to foster independent and curious learners who are able and willing to make a positive contribution to our community and society.
As the School Secretary within a small primary school, you will need to work closely with the Headteacher, act as the welcoming and professional first point of contact for pupils, parents, staff, and visitors. You will need to ensure the school office operates smoothly, providing a warm, organised, and supportive environment that reflects the school’s values and commitment to its community.
In addition to reception duties, you will provide essential support with the school’s financial processes. This includes processing invoices, maintaining accurate financial records, monitoring payments, assisting with budgeting information, and ensuring that financial procedures follow school and the Trust guidelines.
The role requires taking responsibility for managing nursery funding processes, ensuring that all pupils’ hours and eligibility are accurately recorded to submitted within required deadlines and liaising with parents to the local authority to ensure funding claims are correct, complete, and compliant. This includes maintaining up‑to‑date documentation, managing termly returns to supporting families to understand the funding requirements.
The wider administrative responsibilities include managing communication channels, maintaining pupil records, supporting school and Trust attendance systems, preparing letters, organising meetings, to assisting staff with general office tasks. In a small primary school environment, the role requires you to be flexible and proactive, often taking on a broad range of duties to support the smooth running of the school.
About You:
We are looking for a kind and caring individual who will help create a warm and welcoming atmosphere at the heart of our small harbour school. The successful candidate will demonstrate empathy, patience, and a genuine commitment to supporting children, families, staff, and visitors.
We require someone who is flexible and adaptable, able to respond calmly to the varied and sometimes unexpected demands of a busy school office. A proactive approach is essential, with the ability to anticipate needs, use initiative, and contribute positively to the smooth day‑to‑day running of the school and within our Trust.
Strong organisational skills are vital. We are looking for someone who can manage multiple tasks, prioritise effectively, and maintain accurate records and clear communication. Attention to detail, reliability, and a professional manner are key to ensuring that the school office remains efficient and well‑coordinated.
Above all, we are seeking a positive, approachable, and trustworthy team member who will embrace the caring ethos of our school and play an important role within our close‑knit harbour community.
We are committed to safeguarding children and the successful applicant will be required to undertake an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and will be assessed against the Childcare Disqualification Regulations.
Link to Apply: https://recruit.sampeople.co.uk/Jobboard/Trust/tpacademytrust
This is not a Cornwall Council vacancy therefore please contact the organisation direct for further information.
Organisation address: Mousehole Primary School, Foxes Ln, Mousehole, Penzance, TR19 6QQ
Contact detail: Sarah Trow
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