Examinations Officer

Package Description

Being an employee of Northgate High School allows you access to an Employee Benefits scheme saving you money on many High Street brands, a cycle-to-work scheme, use of the sports facilities, library, and free parking. Hot meals are available on-site during term time. We also offer entry into a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme.

The Role

We are looking for an Examinations Officer  who will:

1. Manage the administration, organisation, and smooth running of all internal and external examinations in line with JCQ regulations and awarding body requirements, ensuring fairness and accuracy for all candidates.
2. Support the Head of Centre in ensuring that the centre is compliant with the JCQ regulations and awarding body requirements in order to ensure the security and integrity of examinations. 
3. Act on behalf of, and be the main point of contact for, the centre in matters relating to the general administration of awarding body examinations. 
4. Closely liaise with key stakeholders (external and internal) to ensure exams administration processes are strictly followed and key deadlines met.

We will be holding interviews on Tuesday 30th September 2025.

Main Responsibilities

Responsibilities include:

1. Maintain and develop systems to manage and coordinate all aspects of the exams administration process.
2. Research and understand qualifications and how they are assessed. 
3. Identify and access relevant support available from external stakeholders (Awarding bodies/JCQ/The Exams Office etc.). 
4. Comply with JCQ and awarding body regulations, guidance and instructions and keep abreast of developments/ changes/updates, informing others as applicable.
5. Observe the awarding organisations’ published terms, conditions and processes for the registration or entry and withdrawal of candidates for their examinations/assessments 
6. Register or enter candidates for an examination or assessment in accordance with the awarding organisations’ published procedures and published deadline for that qualification. 
7. Implement processes and liaise with relevant internal stakeholders to gather correct entry information to internal deadlines implementing strategies to avoid penalty fees.
8. Recruit, train, update and manage a team of invigilators. 
9. Manage the arrangements for the timetabling, rooming, seating, resourcing and invigilation of examinations in accordance with the regulations.

Full details are within the Job description.

The Ideal Candidate

Essential knowledge and skills include:

1. Knowledge of JCQ regulations and awarding body requirements, or willingness to undertake training.  
2. Familiarity with handling confidential data in line with GDPR and safeguarding requirements. 
3. Strong organisational and administrative skills, with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail. 
4. Ability to prioritise tasks and meet strict deadlines, particularly during peak examination periods. 
5. Strong IT skills. including the use of Excel.  
6. Effective written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to liaise confidently with staff, students, parents/carers, and external agencies. 
7. High level of integrity, reliability, and discretion when handling sensitive and confidential information. 
8. Ability to work independently and take initiative, while also being an effective member of a team. 
9. Calm, flexible, and adaptable approach, especially under pressure

About the school/organisation

Northgate High School is an 11-18 school situated on the edge of Ipswich. Our school  is an impressive site, with purpose-built centres maintained and equipped to the highest standards, including recent investment in technology.

We embrace three core values of Respect, Determination and Teamwork. These values are fundamental to the calm and positive learning environment that we strive to achieve at all levels across the school.

Following Ofsted's December 2024 inspection, we are a school with students who exhibit outstanding behaviour and attitudes. Inspectors noted that our school is calm and orderly, and that student behaviour is exemplary. They also noted that staff enjoy the sense of community that they feel in our school, with their wellbeing supported by leaders. The relationships between staff and students are very strong, with students demonstrating positive behaviour for learning in lessons.

The ethos at Northgate is underpinned by our genuine desire to support the wellbeing of every student and staff member ensuring that they can realise their full potential. We value our staff highly and, if you join us, you will be working in a school that is committed to staff wellbeing, offers a first class professional development programme carefully linked to the School Improvement Plan and Performance Objectives. This means that our CPD programme strengthens the link between personal autonomy and our aims as a school. We maintain positive links with other local schools and universities.

Along with the extensive CPD programme  we offer a competitive pension scheme and benefit package which is available to all staff.