Administration Assistant - Shirley Junior School

Southampton City Council; Southampton; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A local education authority is looking for a warm, capable Administrative Assistant to provide essential support in a school office. This role blends customer service with caring for pupil welfare. The ideal candidate will have strong communication skills and a calm presence in a busy environment. Full training will be provided, along with apprenticeship opportunities. Apply by completing the application form available on the school's site.

Benefits

Local Government Pension Scheme

Professional development opportunities

Term-time working pattern

Qualifications

• GCSE English and Maths (Grade C/4 or above) required.
• Willingness to undertake first aid training.
• Experience in customer service roles preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide front-line customer service in a school setting.
• Support pupil welfare, including administering first aid.
• Liaise with pupils, parents, staff, and external visitors.

Skills

Customer service experience

Communication skills

IT proficiency

Education

GCSE English and Maths (Grade C/4 or above)

Tools

Microsoft Word

Email software

Job description

Overview

Shirley Infant and Junior Schools are seeking a warm, capable, and resilient Administrative Assistant to join our school office team. This is a key role that blends front-line customer service with direct support for pupil welfare, including administering first aid and responding sensitively to children's needs throughout the day. The successful candidate will be confident in liaising with a wide range of people — pupils, parents, staff, and external visitors — and will bring a calm, professional presence to a fast-paced environment. Our office can be busy and unpredictable, so the ability to stay organised, think on your feet, and communicate clearly is essential. We are looking for someone with the right personal qualities: approachable, empathetic, and able to uphold school policies and procedures as needed. We welcome applicants with experience in front-facing customer service roles. Prior experience in a school setting is not required, although previous experience working with children would be an advantage. Full training will be provided in our school systems and procedures, and apprenticeship opportunities are available for the right candidate.

If you\'re someone who thrives on supporting others and enjoys making a positive difference in a dynamic school community, we\'d love to hear from you.

Essential Qualifications

• GCSE English and Maths (Grade C/4 or above)
• Willingness to undertake first aid training (if not already qualified)
• IT proficiency, including email, word processing, and data entry

Personal Attributes

• Warm, approachable, and empathetic in interactions with pupils, parents, and staff
• Confident communicator, able to liaise effectively with a wide range of people
• Calm and professional under pressure, especially in a busy office environment
• Organised and able to manage multiple tasks at pace
• Discreet and respectful of confidentiality
• Able to be firm and assertive when needed, particularly in safeguarding or welfare situations
• Positive team player with a flexible and proactive attitude

We Can Offer You

• A welcoming and supportive school community where staff wellbeing is valued
• Full training in school systems and procedures
• Opportunities to make a meaningful impact on pupil welfare and daily school life
• A varied and engaging role within a fast-paced, friendly office environment
• Access to professional development and relevant training (e.g. first aid, safeguarding)
• Term-time working pattern to support work-life balance
• Local Government Pension Scheme and other employee benefits
• A team that values collaboration, kindness, and clear communication

Application Procedure

Should you wish to apply for this vacancy, please view the job description and complete the application form which can be found at the school site. Where applicable, potential candidates may benefit from a tour of the school. Please note, any candidates requesting a tour will be asked for their current place of work which will allow the school to verify, where possible, the name and place of work given. Potential candidates will be asked to bring their current school ID and/or photographic ID as proof when they visit the school for a tour. Successful candidates will be subject to online searches. Interview date is 14 October 2025 (please ensure you are available on this date prior to applying; alternative interview times cannot be offered). Start date is 24 November 2025.

Safeguarding

All schools within HET are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to Disclosure and Barring Service checks along with other relevant employment checks. HET is a large, fast-paced Trust with currently 37 academies across the South Coast. Linked to 6 community-based partnerships, there are 34 primary academies, 2 secondary and 1 hospital school.

At HET, we aim to put the child at the centre of everything we do. We believe that by doing this, it drives our ethos and values to do the best we can for our children.