Receptionist

Accrington Academy; Blackburn; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health cash plan

Westfield Rewards discounts

Gym membership discounts

Job summary

Accrington Academy invites applications for a highly organised Receptionist (Fixed-Term Maternity Cover). You will be the first point of contact for students, parents, staff and visitors, providing a warm welcome and ensuring smooth, efficient office operations.

The role requires excellent communication, strong ICT and organisational skills, and a commitment to safeguarding. The Academy offers flexible working considerations and a supportive environment.

Qualifications

• Excellent communication and customer service skills are essential.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to prioritise in a busy environment.
• Confidence with ICT systems and Microsoft Office is expected.

Responsibilities

• Answering telephone, email and face-to-face enquiries.
• Welcoming students, parents, visitors and external agencies.
• Manage the reception area and visitor sign-in procedures.
• Support safeguarding processes for visitors and contractors.
• Handle post, deliveries and internal communications.
• Provide general administrative support to the Academy.

Skills

Communication

Customer service

Organisation

ICT skills

Education

GCSE English and Maths (C/4)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Salary £25,896.00 (FTE), United Learning Support Staff Pay Scale Job Family: Administration and Business Management. Pay Band 2 (Vocational)-inclusive of cost-of-living increase for 2026-2027.

Accrington Academy has a strong local reputation and has been oversubscribed for several years. We are a successful school, where our staff and students thrive in a purposeful, ambitious, and supportive environment. We seek to provide outstanding education and bring out ‘The best in everyone’ every single day.We are incredibly proud to deliver a curriculum which combines powerful knowledge and outstanding examination results with Education with Character; an education which challenges, inspires and excites our students and prepares them for the ups and downs of life. With this in mind, we provide a breadth of opportunities and experiences which seek to help our students become confident, well-rounded, and ambitious young adults. Our curriculum and enrichment programme are overflowing with opportunities to try something new and develop new skills.The academy continues to go from strength to strength, with passionate staff who are willing to go the ‘extra mile’ seeing and treating every student as an individual. The environment in which we work is modern and vibrant with first class facilities.As one of the UK’s largest and most respected multi academy trusts, United Learning is committed to helping you thrive. We offer outstanding career development, personalised support, and a culture that truly values your contribution.We are always evolving our benefits to meet the changing needs of our staff and to remain one of the most rewarding places to work in education. Recent additions include a Health Cash Plan, which allows you to claim back the cost of private healthcare, covering everything from dental and optical care to physiotherapy and specialist consultations. We have also introduced a free Will writing service, giving you peace of mind for the future.

As a United Learning colleague, you will benefit from:

• Some of the most competitive salaries in the sector, with average pay around 5% above national scales.
• At least eight INSET days each year, including three dedicated to planning
• Tailored professional development to support your career goals
• Access to Westfield Rewards, offering discounts and cashback at hundreds of major retailers
• Enhanced family leave benefits
• A comprehensive Health Cash Plan to help cover every day healthcare costs, reducing financial pressurewhile supporting your wellbeing
• Discounts on gym memberships
• A convenient car lease scheme
• 24/7 access to a free and confidential employee assistance programme for emotional and practical support

As an Accrington Academy colleague, you will also benefit from:

• A commitment to support you where possible with flexible working options which suit your lifestyle
• At least one guaranteed paid personal day each year, to use as you wish
• Excellent facilities and resources, including onsite gym and pool

We welcome visits to our school so that you can experience the warm and welcoming atmosphere for yourself.

Accrington Academy is part of United Learning, a large, and growing, group of schools aiming to offer a life-changing education to children and young people across England. United Learning is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All positions are subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and shortlisted candidates will be subject to an online check.

We always appoint on merit, and we are open to discussing flexible working options.

Job details

Salary £25,896.00 (FTE), United Learning Support Staff Pay Scale Job Family: Administration and Business Management. Pay Band 2 (Vocational)-inclusive of cost-of-living increase for 2026-2027.

Receptionist (Fixed-Term Maternity Cover)

Location: Accrington

Salary: £25,896.00 (FTE), United Learning Support Staff Pay Scale Job Family: Administration and Business Management. Pay Band 2 (Vocational)-inclusive of cost-of-living increase for 2026-2027.

Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 4.00pm
Contract: Full Year, Fixed-Term Maternity Leave Cover

Start Date: ASAP-Following satisfactory completion of all pre-employment checks

We are seeking to appoint a highly organised, professional and welcoming Receptionist to join our dedicated support staff team at Accrington Academy.

This is an exciting opportunity for an individual who enjoys working with people and takes pride in providing excellent customer service. As the Academy's main receptionist, you will be the first point of contact for students, parents, staff and visitors, creating a positive first impression while supporting the smooth and efficient running of the school.

Working as part of the school office team, you will provide high-quality reception and administrative support, ensuring enquiries and communications are handled professionally and efficiently. You will play an important role in maintaining safeguarding procedures, supporting pupils and visitors, and contributing to a positive and welcoming school environment.

Main duties will include:

• Acting as the first point of contact for telephone, email and face-to-face enquiries.
• Welcoming and assisting students, parents, visitors and external agencies.
• Managing the Academy reception area and visitor sign-in procedures.
• Supporting safeguarding processes for visitors and contractors.
• Handling incoming and outgoing post, deliveries and communications.
• Responding to enquiries and directing information to the appropriate staff members.
• Providing support to pupils who are unwell and liaising with parents/carers where required.
• Maintaining accurate records and electronic systems.
• Undertaking a range of general administrative tasks to support the Academy.
• Promoting safeguarding, health and safety, and the Academy's values and ethos.

The successful candidate will:

• Have excellent communication and customer service skills.
• Be calm, professional and able to work effectively in a busy environment.
• Have strong organisational skills and the ability to prioritise competing demands.
• Be confident using Microsoft Office and other IT systems.
• Demonstrate discretion and the ability to handle confidential information appropriately.
• Be proactive, flexible and able to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Be committed to delivering a high standard of support to students, staff and visitors.
• Be willing to undertake First Aid training if required.
• Consistently demonstrate and promote our #TEAMAA values.

We are looking for:

• A candidate with GCSE English and Maths at Grade C/4 or above.
• Someone with previous administrative or receptionist experience in a busy office environment.
• An individual with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong ICT skills and confidence using office software and databases.
• A professional who understands the importance of confidentiality and safeguarding.
• A friendly, approachable and motivated individual who enjoys working with people.
• A team player who is committed to the Academy's vision, values and culture, helping us to continue "Building Character, Creating Learners, Transforming Lives."

We can offer you:

• As part of United Learning, we pay an average of 5% above national scales – the best rates of pay in the sector.
• We offer access to a health cash plan which gives you money back on essential healthcare, from opticians to physiotherapy, and guarantees you 24/7 access to an online GP.
• Access to 250 employee benefits through Westfield Rewards, saving you money onsupermarket shopping,gym memberships,holidays,breakdown cover,car leasing,cycle schemesandmore.

More time:

• All our academies start every term with an additional INSET day set aside for your own planning (in addition to the usual fiveINSET days– giving you eight in total);
• At least oneguaranteed paid personal day each year, to use as you want; and we offer opportunities forflexible working.

More support:

• We provide high-qualitytraining and developmentfor every stage in your career;
• Every staff member benefits from a personaldevelopment planto support your progression and aspirations;
• We give you access to ahigh-quality curriculumwith excellent resources and provide support fromexpert subject advisers;
• We offer access to acomprehensive wellbeing programme, providing support fromlegal and financial to family and housing and access to free counselling and otherwellbeing support.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is passionate about making a difference to the lives of young people and supporting them to achieve success both academically and personally.

If you would like to arrange a tour of the Academy or have any questions about the role, please contact the Principal's PA, Sandra Chadburn, on [e-mail]

Please note:

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early and interview suitable candidates before the closing date. Early applications are therefore encouraged.