Looking for a School Exams Officer in Huddersfield!

Leading Secondary School | Huddersfield, West Yorkshire | Full-Time

Contract Type: Full-Time
Start Date: As soon as possible
Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience and in line with the school's support staff structure.

Play a Key Role in Supporting Student Achievement

We are seeking a highly organised, reliable and experienced Exams Officer to join a leading secondary school in Huddersfield. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with strong administrative skills and a keen eye for detail who is passionate about ensuring the smooth, efficient and compliant delivery of internal and external examinations.

Working closely with the Senior Leadership Team, Heads of Department, teaching staff, examination boards and invigilators, you will take responsibility for the planning, coordination and administration of all aspects of the school's examination processes.

The successful candidate will play an important role in ensuring that examinations are organised effectively, examination regulations are followed and students receive the appropriate support and arrangements to enable them to perform to the best of their ability.

The ideal candidate will have previous experience in an examinations or school administration role, excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage competing deadlines within a busy secondary school environment.

Key Responsibilities

Examinations Administration and Coordination

• Coordinate the administration and delivery of all internal and external examinations, ensuring that examination processes run efficiently and within awarding body deadlines.

• Manage examination entries, registrations, amendments and withdrawals, ensuring student information is accurate and submitted within required timescales.

• Organise examination timetables, room allocations, seating plans and candidate lists.

• Coordinate examination arrangements for GCSEs, A-levels and other relevant qualifications.

• Ensure all examinations are conducted in accordance with Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) regulations and awarding body requirements.

• Liaise with examination boards regarding entries, deadlines, results, queries and examination arrangements.

• Oversee the preparation of examination materials, including question papers, stationery, attendance registers and supporting documentation.

• Manage examination clashes, access arrangements and special consideration applications where appropriate.

• Coordinate the secure receipt, storage, distribution and return of examination papers and materials.

Invigilation and Examination Room Management

• Recruit, organise, train and coordinate examination invigilators to ensure appropriate staffing levels across all examination sessions.

• Prepare invigilation schedules and allocate staff to examination rooms.

• Ensure invigilators understand their responsibilities and follow examination regulations and procedures.

• Provide guidance and support to invigilators before and during examination periods.

• Ensure examination rooms are appropriately prepared, equipped and compliant with awarding body requirements.

• Monitor examination sessions and address any operational issues or incidents promptly.

• Ensure accurate attendance records and examination documentation are maintained.

• Investigate and report examination irregularities in accordance with school and awarding body procedures.

Access Arrangements and Student Support

• Coordinate examination access arrangements for students with additional needs, disabilities or specific learning requirements.

• Liaise with the SENDCo, teaching staff, parents and relevant professionals to ensure appropriate arrangements are identified and implemented.

• Ensure applications for access arrangements are submitted accurately and within awarding body deadlines.

• Organise additional examination rooms, readers, scribes, extra time and other approved arrangements.

• Maintain confidential records relating to students' examination access arrangements.

• Ensure students receive clear information about examination timetables, expectations and procedures.

• Support the school in ensuring that all students have fair and appropriate access to examinations.

Results, Reporting and Data Management

• Coordinate the receipt, processing and distribution of examination results.

• Manage examination results days, ensuring appropriate arrangements are in place for students, parents and staff.

• Liaise with examination boards regarding results queries, reviews of marking, appeals and certificates.

• Maintain accurate examination databases, student records and documentation.

• Produce examination reports and management information for senior leadership and Heads of Department.

• Monitor examination entries, outcomes and performance information to support school reporting and analysis.

• Ensure examination records are securely maintained and retained in accordance with school policies.

• Coordinate the distribution and collection of examination certificates.

Communication and Stakeholder Management

• Act as the main point of contact for examination-related enquiries from students, parents, staff and external examination boards.

• Work closely with the Senior Leadership Team to plan and coordinate examination arrangements across the academic year.

• Liaise with Heads of Department and teaching staff regarding examination entries, deadlines and subject-specific requirements.

• Provide clear guidance to students and parents regarding examination timetables, regulations and procedures.

• Coordinate with the school office, premises team and other support departments to ensure examination facilities are ready.

• Communicate changes to examination arrangements promptly and professionally.

• Build positive working relationships with examination boards, invigilators and external organisations.

Compliance, Safeguarding and Health & Safety

• Ensure all examination procedures comply with current JCQ regulations, awarding body requirements and school policies.

• Maintain the security and confidentiality of examination papers, materials and student information.

• Ensure examination documentation and records are accurate, complete and securely stored.

• Follow safeguarding procedures when working with students and external examination personnel.

• Ensure examination rooms meet health and safety requirements and are suitable for use.

• Maintain accurate records of examination incidents, irregularities and malpractice concerns.

• Keep up to date with changes to examination regulations, guidance and awarding body procedures.

• Support the school during examination inspections and audits where required.

Person Specification

Essential Requirements

• Previous experience working as an Exams Officer, Examinations Administrator or in a similar school-based administrative role.

• A sound understanding of examination administration and the requirements of GCSE and A-level examinations.

• Knowledge of JCQ regulations and awarding body procedures, or a willingness to undertake relevant training.

• Excellent organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines.

• Strong attention to detail and the ability to maintain accurate records and documentation.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills when working with students, parents, teaching staff and external organisations.

• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel and other school management systems.

• The ability to handle confidential information with discretion and professionalism.

• Confidence working independently and taking responsibility for examination processes.

• A proactive, flexible and solutions-focused approach to problem-solving.

• The ability to remain calm and organised during busy examination periods.

• A commitment to safeguarding, confidentiality and promoting the welfare of students.

Desirable Requirements

• Previous experience as an Exams Officer within a secondary school or academy.

• A recognised examinations administration qualification or relevant professional training.

• Detailed knowledge of JCQ regulations, including examination room requirements, access arrangements and malpractice procedures.

• Experience using examination administration systems and school management databases.

• Familiarity with awarding body portals, including AQA, Pearson Edexcel, OCR and WJEC.

• Experience coordinating invigilators, including recruitment, training and staff allocation.

• Knowledge of examination access arrangements and special consideration procedures.

• Experience managing GCSE and A-level examination results and certificates.

• Experience producing examination performance reports and analysing student data.

Key Skills and Personal Qualities

The successful candidate will be highly organised, dependable and detail-oriented, with the ability to take ownership of the school's examination administration and ensure that all arrangements are completed accurately and efficiently.

You will demonstrate:

• Excellent organisational and administrative skills, with the ability to prioritise competing deadlines.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills when dealing with students, parents, staff and external examination boards.

• A thorough and methodical approach to examination procedures, record keeping and compliance.

• The ability to work independently, exercise initiative and resolve operational issues effectively.

• Confidence managing and coordinating staff, particularly examination invigilators.

• A professional and approachable manner, with a commitment to maintaining high standards.

• Flexibility and resilience during particularly busy examination periods.

Safeguarding and Recruitment

The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All staff are expected to share this commitment and follow the school's safeguarding and child protection procedures.

The successful candidate will be subject to appropriate pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references, right-to-work verification and verification of relevant qualifications and employment history.

How to Apply

If you are an experienced and highly organised examinations professional looking for an opportunity to make a positive contribution within a leading secondary school, we would welcome your application.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a supportive school community in Huddersfield, playing a vital role in ensuring the successful delivery of examinations and supporting positive outcomes for students.

Please submit your CV for consideration for the Exams Officer position at a leading secondary school in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire.

We look forward to hearing from you.