The Bishop Bewick Catholic Education Trust is a group of 34 Primary schools and 5 High schools across three local authorities (Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland). At Bishop Bewick CET we want to ensure that all the children in our schools experience the best education possible, and so we are committed as a community of schools to come together and harness the very best of ourselves and to support each other so that all schools and employees thrive.
We are seeking to appoint a Finance Partner to work in support of an assigned group of schools and the wider finance team, including one other Finance Partner. As a Finance Partner you will support our schools with managing their budget setting, in year monitoring, yearend processes and financial reporting.
The postholder is expected to have a thorough understanding of the accounting and budget management processes required in a school and able to confidently advise schools on such matters. They will be advising school Headteachers, business managers and governors on all budget management issues including funding streams, staff roles and structures, appropriate procurement routes etc in order to help the schools achieve best value from their budget.
This hands-on role requires someone confident in building relationships in an approachable and supportive manner, but also capable challenging and offering alternative approaches as a critical friend. You do not necessarily have to have a finance qualification, although this, or a school business management qualification, would be an advantage.
Whilst you will provide schools with some support remotely over the phone or internet, to carry out an effective Finance Partnering service you will be required to have the means to travel independently to various schools in our three authorities (from central office based in Fenham, Newcastle).
An excellent benefits package is offered including:
- A competitive salary
- Access to training and support to develop further
- Equivalent of a minimum 25 days holiday per year, plus public holidays (embedded into the term time pay rate)
- Access to the Local Government pension scheme (employer contribution rate currently 15.3%).
- Family friendly BBCET policies and practices that promote health and wellbeing
- Access to car lease, bike to work and local travel pass salary sacrifice schemes
Salary
£46,142 – £49,282 per annum pro rata, actual £38,608-£41,236 per annum. (April 2026 pay award pending)
37 Hours per week, term time only
Application Timeline
Closing date: 5pm Monday 29 June 2026
Interviews: to be held w/c 6th July 2026 or asap thereafter
Safeguarding Statement:
Bishop Bewick Catholic Education Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
In accordance with the safeguarding vulnerable groups’ regime [2006] & the relevant Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSiE) DfE guidance, any offer of employment made will be conditional upon the results of checks from the Disclosure & Barring Service (“the DBS”) and Teacher Services (regarding teacher prohibition/disqualification from working with children and young people).
School roles give privileged access to vulnerable groups, therefore, we require all applicants attending interview to disclose all spent convictions and cautions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exemptions) Order 1975 unless it is a “protected” conviction/caution under the amendments made to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exemptions) Order 1975 (in 2013) and, therefore, not subject to disclosure.