OPPORTUNITY
Receptionist & Administrator
Part-time, Permanent (See notes on P5)
Purpose of the Role
The purpose of this role is to provide a professional, welcoming and efficient administrative service supporting the day-to-day operation of the School’s Prep and Senior Reception Offices, Reprographics function and wider administration services. The role plays a key part in pupil registration and safeguarding processes, front-of-house reception, reprographics support, and administrative assistance to senior staff, ensuring the smooth and effective running of the School.
Key Responsibilities
1. Reception & Front-of-House Duties
Act as the first point of contact for all visitors, parents and external agencies, ensuring a professional and welcoming environment at all times.
Answer telephone calls, respond to enquiries, and direct calls and visitors appropriately.
Receive, log and distribute post and deliveries.
Support the general operation of the School Reception as part of the wider office team.
2. Pupil Registration & Attendance
Record morning and afternoon registration using the School’s iSAMS database during designated registration periods.
Receive and process absence notifications from parents, staff, boarding houses and transport providers.
Investigate and locate the whereabouts of pupils where attendance is unclear, including contacting parents, boarding houses or teaching staff.
Supervise late sign-in procedures, including when transport is delayed.
Escalate unexplained absences for follow-up in line with School procedures.
3. Reprographics & Learning Resources
Provide reprographic support for staff and pupils, including photocopying, booklet production, binding and distribution of materials.
Support the ordering and monitoring of reprographics consumables and report faults on photocopiers as required.
Assist with the preparation of learning resources
Produce certificates, commendations, tutor reports and other printed materials as required.
Maintain stocks of reprographics supplies and related administrative materials.
4. Administration Support
Carry out general office duties including typing, filing, scanning, photocopying and email correspondence.
Provide administrative support to SLT
Maintain centrally managed pupil records on iSAMS, ensuring accurate and timely filing of documentation.
Handle sensitive, confidential and restricted information with professionalism and discretion.
Liaise regularly with academic staff, support staff supervisors, and the PA to the Head.
5. Events & School Operations Support
Provide administrative assistance for school events including Parent Consultation Evenings, Open Days, Speech Day and other calendared events.
Update School documents and other internal information displays at the start of each term.
Assist with additional learning resource requests and administrative projects as directed by SLT.
6. General
Carry out any other reasonable duties as requested by SLT, commensurate with the role.
Be flexible and adaptable to support workload peaks and ensure operational priorities are met.
Skills, Experience & Personal Qualities
The post holder will:
Have strong administrative and organisational skills, with excellent attention to detail.
Be calm under pressure and able to prioritise effectively in a busy office environment.
Demonstrate initiative and the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Possess strong IT skills, particularly in Microsoft Word and Excel; experience of iSAMS or similar systems is highly desirable.
Communicate effectively with pupils, parents, staff and visitors.
Handle confidential information with integrity, sensitivity and discretion.
General Responsibilities
Demonstrate a clear understanding of the School’s aims, ethos and values, ensuring that all aspects of the role actively support and promote these objectives.
Undertake relevant training and professional development opportunities to support the effective fulfilment of the role and maintain up‑to‑date knowledge and skills.
Carry out additional duties, ad hoc tasks or project work as required, in line with the needs of the School and as directed by the line manager.
Be flexible and adaptable, undertaking any other reasonable duties and responsibilities commensurate with the role, as determined by the line manager.
The Process
Applications should be submitted by noon on Friday 12th June 2026. Interviews will be held during the week commencing Monday 15th June 2026 or on receipt of a positive application. Applicants should submit an application form and letter to the Chief Operating Officer, including reasons for suitability for the post, via email at recruitment@westbuckland.com
Any questions about the post can be directed to the COO, Cheryl Connelly at chc@westbuckland.com
Closing Date: 12th June 2026 (12:00)
Salary Competitive
Hours: Three days per week (Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday), term time only plus three additional weeks
Working day: 9.5 hours per day, between 8.00am and 5.30pm, with a one‑hour unpaid break
Safeguarding Policy Statement
The post holder's responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young persons for whom s/he is responsible, or with whom s/he comes into contact, will be to adhere to and ensure compliance with the school's Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy at all times. If, in the course of carrying out the duties of the post, the post holder becomes aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety or welfare of children in the school, s/he must report any concerns to the school's Designated Safeguarding Lead or to the Head.
West Buckland School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including reference checks with past employers and the Independent Safeguarding Agency. This post is identified as being within the scope of Regulated Activity and requires a cleared Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Agency. As such all previous criminal convictions deemed to be expired under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act are required to be declared, this may not negate the applicant from being appointed.
In line with KCSIE guidance the school will conduct an internet search of short-listed candidates on Google and Social Media and limited to the information provided on the application form. Any information that is publicly available online and relevant to safeguarding or your suitability to work with children might be discussed at interview.
Applications
Our School Equal Opportunities West Buckland School is committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications are encouraged from individuals regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.
Data Protection
The school is registered under the Data Protection Act 1998. The information you supply when requesting a job pack will be held in electronic format for monitoring and evaluation purposes and in connection with any future contact. We keep applications from unsuccessful candidates for a period of six months from the closing date after which they will be destroyed. If you do not wish your application to be retained during this period please indicate this in a covering letter with your application.