Office Manager – Southcote Primary School

Local Government South East; Reading; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

EAP (Employee Assistance Programme)

Training and development

Supportive team

Job summary

Reading Borough Council is seeking an enthusiastic, organised Office Manager to join our Federation at Southcote Primary School in Reading. The role supports the smooth day‑to‑day running of a busy school office and delivery of high‑quality administrative services.

You will work closely with the Executive Headteacher and leadership team to support pupils, staff, parents and the wider community, ensuring safeguarding and GDPR compliance and a calm, professional environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in a busy office, ideally within a school setting.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and maintain an efficient office.
• Experience with safeguarding and GDPR considerations.
• Comfort with updating the school's digital presence and website.

Responsibilities

• Provide high‑quality administrative support and ensure day‑to‑day running of the school office.
• Support pupils, staff, parents and the wider school community.
• Collaborate with the Executive Headteacher, Head of Operations and leadership team.
• Lead office staff and model professionalism and teamwork.

Skills

Organisation

Communication

Emotional intelligence

Office experience

SIMS MIS

Tools

SIMS MIS

Job description

Reading Borough Council

8.30am to 4:30pm Monday to Thursday, 8.30am to 4.00pm Friday – Term time plus inset days, plus 1 additional week

• Full Time
• Permanent
• Term Time only
• Reading
• Posted 1 week ago
• £30,573 to £35,521 Per year £ / Year
• Closes: 27 September 2026

Website

Reading Borough Council

8.30am to 4:30pm Monday to Thursday, 8.30am to 4.00pm Friday – Term time plus inset days, plus 1 additional week

Our friendly federation is seeking an enthusiastic, organised and self‑motivated Office Manager to join our hardworking and supportive team at Southcote Primary School.

We are looking for a dedicated professional who takes pride in delivering high‑quality administrative support and ensuring the smooth day‑to‑day running of a busy school office.

This is a varied and rewarding role working closely with the Executive Headteacher, Head of Operations and wider leadership team. The successful candidate will play a key part in supporting pupils, staff, parents and the wider school community — often being the calm, reassuring presence, at the heart of the school.

The Successful Candidate Will

• – Demonstrate exceptional organisation — able to manage multiple priorities and maintain a well‑structured, efficient office environment
• – Communicate with warmth and clarity — building positive relationships with staff, parents, pupils and external agencies
• – Bring emotional intelligence — remaining calm during busy school mornings and responding sensitively to upset children or concerned parents
• – Have experience in a busy office, ideally within a school setting
• – Use digital systems confidently — including experience with MIS such as SIMS, or willingness to undertake training
• – Support and lead office staff effectively, modelling professionalism and teamwork
• – Understand safeguarding responsibilities — including the updated KCSIE 2026 requirements around AI‑safeguarding, data protection and ensuring all staff are fully prepared to implement Part One of the guidance
• – Uphold confidentiality and GDPR at all times
• – Maintain the school’s digital presence — supporting website updates and contributing to positive, compliant social media communication
• – Commit to ongoing professional development and training

We Can Offer

• – A welcoming, supportive and collaborative team
• – Friendly, enthusiastic pupils who make every day meaningful
• – Opportunities for training and development, including safeguarding and digital‑skills training
• – A varied and rewarding role within our growing Federation
• – Access to our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support wellbeing
• – A workplace where kindness, professionalism and humour are valued

We encourage you to provide clear examples of how your skills and experience relate to the criteria in the job description. Please note that only applications demonstrating this alignment will be considered.

If any further information is required, please contact [e-mail] or visit: www.thekennetfederation.co.uk or call 0118 937 5533

Visits to the school are welcomed and encouraged, Applications will be considered on receipt

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if suitable candidates are found.

This school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The appointment will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check, appropriate references and health clearance.

The Kennet Federation aspires to be an actively anti‑racist organisation. We recognise our aspiration as ongoing, involving collective commitment and accountability. We welcome employees who are committed to and will actively contribute to our efforts to celebrate our cultural diversity and be resolute in advancing inclusion and equity. We encourage candidates who share our ambition to apply, and we welcome applications from those with protected characteristics.