About this role

What skills and experience we're looking for

Helping every child feel seen, supported and able to succeed.

Some of the most important work in a school happens quietly behind the scenes.

It’s the meeting that brings the right people together. The paperwork that unlocks additional support. The conversation with a parent who needs reassurance that their child is understood. The careful organisation that helps ensure no pupil slips through the cracks.

At Ferndown Middle School, we are looking for a SEND Admin Assistant to play a key role in supporting our pupils, families and staff. This is more than an administrative position. It’s an opportunity to help create the conditions that enable children and young people to flourish.

Working closely with our SENDCo and wider school team, you’ll help ensure that our systems, records and communication processes are organised, effective and centred around the needs of pupils. Your work will help colleagues focus on what matters most: providing the very best support for every child.

What you’ll do

Provide high-quality administrative support that helps keep the school running smoothly and efficiently.
Work alongside the SENDCo and Inclusion Team to coordinate records, documentation and key processes that support pupils with additional needs.
Organise meetings, reviews and communications with families, staff and external professionals.
Maintain accurate and confidential records, ensuring important information is accessible, up to date and managed with care.
Prepare correspondence, reports and documentation to support decision-making and pupil provision.
Build positive relationships with families, offering a professional, compassionate and helpful point of contact.
Help create an environment where inclusion is more than a principle; it’s something children and families experience every day.

Who you are

Someone who takes pride in being organised, reliable and able to bring calm to a busy environment.
A skilled administrator who understands that attention to detail can make a meaningful difference to others.
Warm, approachable and empathetic, with the ability to build trusting relationships with children, families and colleagues.
A confident communicator who can work sensitively with a range of people and situations.
Professional and discreet, able to handle confidential information with care and integrity.
A proactive team player who enjoys working collaboratively and finding solutions.
Passionate about ensuring every child feels valued, included and supported to achieve their potential.

What the school offers its staff

About us

Ferndown Middle School is a vibrant and caring school serving children in Years 5–8. We pride ourselves on knowing our pupils well, setting high expectations and creating an environment where children feel safe, supported and excited to learn. Our staff work closely together, support one another and share a strong sense of purpose – and we believe that schools work best when everyone feels valued and included.

Our curriculum is ambitious, supportive and constantly evolving, and we are proud of the strong relationships that underpin all we do.

Why join us?

The chance to make a huge difference in the lives of young people, one small victory at a time.
A school culture built on care, collaboration and a genuine belief in helping every child shine.
You will be part of an inclusive and collaborative team that, no matter what the challenge may be, are ready to face it head on and are committed to seeing it through.
Free access to the Employee Assistance Programme and our Cycle to Work Scheme.
The opportunity to develop your career in a School, and within the Southern Education Trust – a growing Trust where our mission is “making lives better” and our values are kindness, collaboration and creativity.

Further details about the role

Visits to the School

If you would like to visit the school, please contact the school office on 01202 876556 or email office@fernmid.dorset.sch.uk

Closing date

15th November 2026

Interview date

w/c 23rd November 2026

Please note

Applications may be viewed on receipt and interviews arranged sooner than the above date.

Become part of our journey by completing our Support Staff Application Form and returning it to recruitment@southern.education if you would like to apply (please see our SEND Admin Assistant Job Description and FMS-Safeguarding-Children-Policy-SET-2025-26 or further information).

If you have any questions, please contact Isabel at the recruitment address, who will be happy to assist you.

The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, this role involves directly working with children and significant contact with children, and therefore we expect all staff and volunteers to share the same commitment. Please ensure a full work history is completed in your application form including any gaps of employment. Applicants will be required to complete satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check for this post prior to commencement. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974. The Trust is an equal opportunities employer.

If successfully shortlisted the HR Department will also be conducting an individual online search of your ‘name, education and employment’, to demonstrate due diligence following ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ guidance. The search will not form part of the actual shortlisting process and any concerns arising from the search will be discussed directly with you.

Commitment to safeguarding

SEND Admin Assistant