receptionist - good secondary school - Reading

receptionist – good secondary school – Reading

Start Date: As soon as possible
Contract: Full-time, Permanent
Salary: Paid to scale

School Information

This Good 11–18 secondary school in Reading is highly regarded for its inclusive ethos, calm environment, and strong staff culture. The school serves a broad community and prides itself on maintaining high expectations while offering excellent pastoral support. Students are polite, respectful, and eager to achieve. Behaviour is consistently positive, making the school a welcoming and professionally rewarding place to work.

The school office is a central hub of activity where parents, students, and staff interact daily. The reception team plays a vital role in creating the first impression of the school, ensuring communication runs smoothly, and providing outstanding administrative support. The working environment is friendly, fast-paced, and collaborative. Staff describe the school as a supportive workplace where teamwork and clear processes underpin daily operations.

The Role

The school is seeking a professional, friendly, and highly organised Receptionist to join the front-office team. This role requires excellent interpersonal skills, strong communication, and the ability to manage multiple tasks while maintaining a warm and welcoming presence.

As the first point of contact for the school, you will interact with parents, visitors, students, suppliers, and professionals from external agencies. You must be able to respond calmly, professionally, and confidently to a wide range of queries. The successful candidate will also support administrative functions, ensuring high levels of accuracy and efficiency.

This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a structured environment, enjoys interacting with people, and is committed to exceptional customer service. Experience in a school environment is beneficial but not essential.

Key Responsibilities

• Managing the school’s main reception desk and welcoming all visitors
• Handling incoming calls, emails, and enquiries with professionalism and clarity
• Supporting safeguarding procedures by issuing visitor badges and maintaining the sign-in system
• Liaising with staff, parents, and students to ensure efficient communication
• Managing the collection and distribution of post and parcels
• Maintaining accurate administrative records and supporting general office duties
• Assisting with school events such as Open Evenings, Parents’ Evenings, and meetings
• Supporting attendance and student services where required
• Providing administrative support to senior leaders or teaching staff when needed
• Ensuring confidentiality and safeguarding protocols are followed at all times

Person Specification

• Previous experience in a receptionist or customer-facing role
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong organisational and administrative ability
• Confident using Microsoft Office and school MIS systems (training can be provided)
• Warm, approachable, and calm under pressure
• Ability to multitask and manage competing priorities
• Commitment to professionalism and supportive school culture

Application

To apply, please send your CV as soon as possible.