Hayley plays a pivotal role behind the scenes, ensuring the smooth running of the school every day. From admissions and compliance to supporting the Headteacher and managing the office, her organisational skills, calm approach and problem-solving mindset help make sure everything runs like clockwork.

Q: Tell us about your role, Hayley.
A: As the Operations and Admin Manager, I’m the behind-the-scenes organiser who keeps the school running like clockwork. From admissions and compliance to supporting the Headteacher and managing the office, if it happens at school, I probably know about it (and have a spreadsheet for it).

Q: You were nominated for Team Talks for your contribution to school operations. Please tell us about that.
A: It’s lovely to be recognised for doing a job I really enjoy. I really enjoy working with our Headteacher and SLT, and work with such a hardworking and friendly office team. Every day brings something different, and I take pride in helping things run smoothly and finding solutions when challenges come up. Knowing that what I do helps make life a bit easier for staff and students makes it all worthwhile.

“Knowing that what I do helps make life a bit easier for staff and students makes it all worthwhile.”

Q: What motivates you to keep pushing this work forward?
A: I’m motivated by having had a brilliant line manager who has really shown me how to do my job with purpose and passion — and that a good sense of humour is absolutely essential in this role. I’m also driven by the desire to make sure we’re doing things the right way and always looking to improve. We might not get absolute perfection, but we definitely try to get as close as possible. I think it helps create a calmer, more positive environment for everyone — from the office to the classrooms.

“A good sense of humour is absolutely essential in this role — it keeps everything in perspective.”

Q: What have you learned along the way?
A: Having a supportive team and a great line manager has made a huge difference. I’ve learnt so much from the people around me — their experience, positivity, and sense of humour keep things in perspective. I think my approach of staying organised, calm, and solution-focused helps too. No two days are ever the same, so being adaptable (and keeping a smile on!) really helps things run smoothly. I’ve also realised that it’s okay if things don’t go perfectly the first time; what matters is finding what works and improving as you go. Communication and teamwork have been the biggest lessons for me — sharing ideas and supporting each other really does make all the difference.

Q: Which MET value connects most strongly to your work?
A: Work Together connects most strongly to my work because so much of what I do relies on strong collaboration. Whether it’s supporting the Headteacher, working with my office team, or coordinating with staff across the school, everything runs more smoothly when we communicate, share ideas, and support each other. I’ve seen firsthand that teamwork not only makes challenges easier to manage but also helps create a positive, productive environment for everyone — staff and students alike.

Q: What advice would you give to colleagues?
A: I’d say stay organised, stay flexible, and don’t be afraid to ask for support. No two days are the same, so being solution-focused and keeping a sense of humour really helps. Take the time to build good relationships with your team and colleagues — strong communication and collaboration make a huge difference. And remember, it’s not about perfection, it’s about making things better step by step.

Q: What’s next for your work at Hamilton School?
A: I’m currently working on a couple of projects. I’m completing my School Business Professional Apprenticeship, which is helping me develop new skills to support the school even more effectively. I’m also leading the redesign of our sensory rooms, gym, and quiet spaces to make them more SEMH-friendly, creating environments that better support the wellbeing and learning of our pupils.

A thank you from me would be to my SLT team — you make work enjoyable every day and inspire me to do my best. My amazing office team, the unsung heroes who help run such a slick operation each day. And to the students — when I first joined Hamilton you were a bit intimidating, but now you make me laugh every day with your unique personalities. You all make this job so rewarding!

Huge thanks to Hayley Ward for taking the time to Team Talk with us.

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