Admin Assistant & Receptionist

Cognita; Leatherhead; Hybrid; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Company pension

Free lunch during term time

Free parking on site

School fee discount

Exclusive discounts

Professional development

Job summary

Downsend Sixth, part of Cognita, seeks an Admin Assistant & Receptionist to support students, parents and staff. You will be the welcoming Front of House, handle enquiries, and help coordinate communications and events across Admissions, Marketing, HR and the wider school community.

The role offers a permanent term-time plus contract, 40 hours per week (40 weeks per year), with flexibility for four-day weeks. A proactive, organised administrator with strong customer service is ideal.

Qualifications

• Excellent communication and customer service skills.
• Confident with a varied workload and attention to detail.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office and digital systems.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality administrative support across school activities.
• Welcome Front of House and manage enquiries from pupils, parents and visitors.
• Coordinate communications between Admissions, Marketing, HR and the wider school.

Skills

Communication

Customer service

Organisation

Adaptability

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

About the School-Downsend Sixth:

We are incredibly proud to have opened Downsend Sixth and see this next chapter for Downsend School as an exciting and enticing prospect for both staff and students alike. The buildings, environment and experience will give our students an excellent foundation on which to build their own futures.

Downsend Sixth has a different feel to other more traditional sixth form experiences, housed in its own newly renovated space near the centre of Leatherhead, there will remain a connection with the rest of the Downsend community, but students will have a much greater chance to cultivate independence, maturity and a real opportunity for personal growth. The building has state of the art technology and facilities that allow all students to develop and flourish.

Our curriculum is broad enough to give real depth to each individual and students are supported by expert teachers who deliver outstanding lessons. We provide expert guidance on future pathways, whether that be going to university, into the world of work or starting an apprenticeship course.

At Downsend we are very conscious that the world our students will step into when they leave us is rapidly evolving and changing, and we have a critical role to play in preparing the global citizens and workforces of the future. Our Head of Futures, along with other staff are on hand to help support and guide our students as they think about next steps.

In an increasingly interconnected world, future workers will be expected to collaborate with peers residing in various parts of the globe, understand cultural nuances and, in many cases, use digital tools to enable these new types of interactions. Our Future Skills programme will allow our students to connect with this wider world and being part of Cognita, a global educational group who have 90 schools located in 20 different countries, will facilitate so many more opportunities for these experiences to present themselves.

About Cognita:

Cognita is a global leader in independent education. Founded in 2004, we are a growing community of 90 schools in 20 countries - in Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East - serving more than 100,000 students. Each of our schools are proudly unique, however our collective purpose is to create an environment where everyone can, "Thrive in a rapidly evolving world".

About the Role:

As an Admin Assistant & Receptionist at Downsend Sixth, you will play a key role in delivering a seamless and positive experience for students, parents, visitors, and colleagues. Working as part of the Administration Team, you will provide high-quality administrative support across a range of school activities, including events, educational visits, enrichment programmes, and daily operations. You will also be the welcoming Front of House presence at Downsend Sixth, managing enquiries, coordinating communications, and ensuring visitors receive an exceptional experience. Working closely with teams across Admissions, Marketing, HR, Nursing, and the wider school community, you will help ensure the smooth and efficient running of the school.

This role is offered on a permanent, term-time plus basis, working 40 hours per week, 40 weeks per year, with a start date at the end of September. We would also be happy to consider applicants who wish to work four days per week.

Who We Are Looking For:

You will be a highly organised and proactive administrator with excellent communication and customer service skills. You enjoy building positive relationships, take pride in delivering a professional service, and can confidently manage a varied workload while maintaining exceptional attention to detail. You will be comfortable using Microsoft Office and a range of digital systems, responding to enquiries with accuracy and professionalism, and supporting multiple priorities effectively. A flexible, collaborative approach and a genuine commitment to providing outstanding support to pupils, parents, and colleagues will help you thrive in this role. Experience in an administrative, customer-facing, or education environment will be advantageous.

Benefits at Cognita:

• Competitive salary depending upon qualifications and experience
• Enrolment in our company's pension scheme
• Free lunch provided during Term Time
• Free parking on site (subject to availability)
• School fee discount
• Exclusive third-party discounts
• Ongoing professional development

Cognita Schools is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to safer recruitment checks, including an enhanced DBS check. Our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy is available on the school website. Details on Recruitment of Ex-Offenders is included within the Application Guidance.

We are an equal opportunities employer committed to diversity and treating all employees with dignity and respect regardless of background.