Queen Elizabeth High School
Ysgol Uwchradd Y Frenhines Elisabeth
Dear Colleague
May I thank you for expressing interest in working at Queen Elizabeth High School. The
Business Manager post is a new and exciting role. It offers the successful candidate
considerable opportunity to develop the school as a business organisation. I seek an
innovative and creative individual, who has drive and vision and will see projects
through to completion.
The school serves the Carmarthen area and educates approximately 1550 pupils.
Approximately 270 are in the Sixth Form. The school draws on a varied catchment, with
many pupils travelling from outside the area. Standards of academic achievement in the
school are very good. The school also has an excellent tradition for sport, music and
drama.
Queen Elizabeth High School was formed in 2006 following the merger of two schools.
In 2008 the school moved into its current accommodation whose build cost was
approximately £28 million. Attached to the school is a leisure centre, whose facilities
the school share. As well as traditional accommodation the school has a commercial
kitchen and hair dressing salon. The school also houses a specialist resource base,
Canolfan Elfed, which educates approximately 70 students with a range of additional
learning needs.
The state of the art building utilises a wealth of modern and ecological technology. The
premises are overseen by 2 Premises Managers. Their work is supported by a part-time
caretaker. The Business Manager will line manage the premises staff and oversee the
efficient and safe operation of the school site. This will involve the direct management
of key premises related third party contracts such as catering and cleaning. There is
considerable scope for the further utilisation of the premises out of school hours for
both commercial and community use. I would like the Business Manager to drive this
development.
The school is a large organisation with approximately 200 staff employed. The Business
Manager will be the lead professional on Human Resource issues. The successful
candidate will line manage all non-classroom based support staff. In addition to the
premises team there is an Admin team of 11 staff; their work is directly supervised by
an office manager. I am keen that the school utilises the best technology to support the
efficient operation of the school and promote the ideal of being paperless. I expect the
successful candidate to further this initiative.
Within the Admin Team is a Finance Department, led by a Finance Manager. This
department oversees the school’s budget of approximately £8 million. The Business
Manager will oversee the work of this department and take the strategic lead on finance
issues such as budgeting, monitoring, procurement and contract management.
Queen Elizabeth High School, Llanstephan Road, Johnstown, Carmarthen, SA31 3NL
Ysgol Uwchradd Y Frenhines Elisabeth, Heol Llansteffan, Tre Ioan, Caerfyrddin SA31 3NL
TEL/FFÔN: 01267 245300
FAX/FFACS: 01267 238224
EMAIL/EBOST: office@qehs.carms.sch.uk
WEB: www.qehs.carms.sch.uk
Carmarthenshire County Council HEADTEACHER/PENNAETH: Mr P A Spencer Cyngor Sir Caerfyrddin
Queen Elizabeth High School
Ysgol Uwchradd Y Frenhines Elisabeth
The school has been through a difficult financial period and is emerging from repaying a
£500k debt. As school finances stabilise a key priority for investment is in modern
technology. It is my vision that the school will offer its pupils access to the best of
modern technology that invigorate their learning and prepares them as 21st century
citizens. I hope to appoint someone who shares my passion for e-learning and has the
expertise and project management experience to realise this vision.
I believe this is an exciting opportunity for the successful candidate to shape the future
direction of the school. The diversity and strategic nature of this post means the
Business Manager will be an active member of the school’s Leadership Team.
I hope to appoint a talented individual who can blend successful operational
management with the flair, creativity and innovation required to develop the school as a
business entity. If you feel you can meet the challenges of this post then I look forward
to receiving your application.
P A Spencer
Headteacher
Queen Elizabeth High School, Llanstephan Road, Johnstown, Carmarthen, SA31 3NL
Ysgol Uwchradd Y Frenhines Elisabeth, Heol Llansteffan, Tre Ioan, Caerfyrddin SA31 3NL
TEL/FFÔN: 01267 245300
FAX/FFACS: 01267 238224
EMAIL/EBOST: office@qehs.carms.sch.uk
WEB: www.qehs.carms.sch.uk
Carmarthenshire County Council HEADTEACHER/PENNAETH: Mr P A Spencer Cyngor Sir Caerfyrddin