Role: Personal Assistant (PA)
Location: Barnet, London — a five minute walk from High Barnet tube station
Start Date: September 2026
Salary: Outer London Support Band 6, which ranges from point 8, £30,713 pa to point 19 £36,041 pa
Contract: Full time, term time only
Opportunity for an exceptional candidate to support the Principal and play a pivotal role in the smooth running of the school. Ark Pioneer, a non-selective secondary school, delivers a standard of education matching the very best schools in the country. Our vision is that every pupil leaves Ark Pioneer with real options, whether embarking on the university course of their choice, apprenticeship or employment that leads them to their chosen career.
What’s special about this role?
This role is ideal for a highly organised, proactive individual who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is excited about supporting senior leadership at the highest level. As Principal’s PA, you will play a central role in ensuring the effectiveness of the Principal’s work, managing complex schedules, coordinating key projects, and supporting the strategic priorities of the school. You will be at the heart of the organisation, helping to drive efficiency and excellence across all areas.
Who are we looking for?
Across school life, we embed high aspirations and a growth mindset in all of our pupils. We believe that every single child who joins us has the potential to be knowledgeable, articulate and successful, and it’s important this resonates with all candidates.
The successful candidate will be highly professional, discreet, and an excellent communicator, with strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities. You will be confident working with senior stakeholders and capable of handling sensitive information with integrity and care.
Why will you love our school?
There are lots of reasons! We’re lucky to be based in a brand-new building with top class facilities. We serve a wonderfully diverse community - we are non-denominational, mixed gender and two fifths of our pupils receive pupil premium funding. We’re led by our values - Aim High, Have Integrity, Be Kind and Model Determination and our team truly unite behind our vision. Curriculum is incredibly important to us and we’ve planned backwards from university readiness to give our pupils the very best in every subject discipline. Our team say: ‘All staff are incredibly supportive and positive and it is a great environment to work in’. Read more about our school here
What are the benefits of working with Ark?
We are lucky to be part of the Ark network of schools. Ark offers bespoke professional development to all team members. Joining our network opens a breadth of opportunities - many of our team have taken on leadership roles progressing from one of our sister schools. Ark employees have benefits including everything from shopping discounts to a supportive and comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme. In short, you won’t find a better network of schools to join! Read more about Ark here
Would you like to find out more?
If you’d like to speak to our HR and Office Manager, Chloe Conces about this role please email her -
[email protected]
Safeguarding
Ark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in its academies. In order to meet this responsibility, its academies follow a rigorous selection process to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants. Ark requires all employees to undertake an enhanced DBS check. You are required, before appointment, to disclose any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. Non-disclosure may lead to termination of employment. However, disclosure of a criminal background will not necessarily debar you from employment - this will depend upon the nature of the offence(s) and when they occurred. To read more about Ark’s safer recruitment process, click here.