Executive Assistant to the Head

Summary

We are looking for an Executive Assistant to the Head to join our wonderful Abbey community from September 2026 onwards.

Detail

The Abbey School Reading is a prestigious independent day school for girls located in the heart of Reading, United Kingdom. We provide an exceptional education within a supportive and inclusive community.

Position: Executive Assistant to the Head (This position is a full-time, permanent, term time only plus two weeks, 0.8fte).

Job Description:

The Abbey is a remarkable all-girls community of learning and brilliant experiences. It is a place of curiosity, adventurous spirits, and the excitement of discovery. We focus on individual care and attention in a warmly supportive atmosphere, full of fun and laughter. Our students have the assurance to take risks, explore interests and passions, and engage generously with the world and with each other.

Our results are outstanding, but what matters to us is how students achieve them. Our goal is to equip girls to achieve academic excellence with confidence, purpose and joy. This means providing exceptional opportunities across the widest spectrum of learning and activities. We offer more student-led learning and choice in our curriculum than almost any other school, so that students take charge of their own futures and mature into the people they mean to be.

The Abbey School has been a leader in girls’ education for over 130 years. For all this time The Abbey has been a strong advocate for educating young women. We continue to encourage our students to achieve outstanding outcomes in whatever field of endeavour they choose. Supporting them to make those critical decisions for themselves is a key part of our focus, ensuring that each student knows she is valued for herself. We offer a balanced mix of significant academic opportunity and pastoral support, with a wide range of options within, alongside and outside our exciting curriculum.

The Executive Assistant provides comprehensive, proactive and highly professional executive support to the Head, ensuring the efficient organisation and administration of the Head's Office. The role requires exceptional organisational skills, sound judgement, discretion and the ability to anticipate priorities in a fast-paced environment.

In addition to supporting the Head, the Executive Assistant contributes to the effective operation of the wider School, working collaboratively with the PA to the Junior School Head, the PA to the Head of Finance and Resources, and colleagues across the School to support the work of the Senior Leadership Team and Governing Council.

The Executive Assistant also plays a role in supporting the Chair of Governors, organising meetings for them and ensuring they are well informed about School events.

We are looking for an Executive Assistant to the Head to join our wonderful Abbey community from September 2026 onwards.

Please take a look at our attached job pack for further details and how to apply.

Documents

• Executive Assistant to the Head PDF Document