Receptionist

Teaching Vacancies; Cheadle; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 22,000; Full time

Job summary

A local educational institution in Cheadle is seeking an organized and personable receptionist/administrator. You will provide a high-quality reception service, manage communications, and oversee visitor protocols. The ideal candidate will demonstrate excellent organizational and interpersonal skills while ensuring the smooth running of the office. This role is vital in assisting with school events and maintaining a welcoming environment for students and visitors, reflecting the institution's commitment to academic excellence and safeguarding.

Qualifications

• Ability to provide excellent reception and administrative services.
• Experience maintaining databases and managing communications.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Provide a professional reception service to all visitors and students.
• Oversee visitor management and ensure safeguarding protocols.
• Maintain databases and office communications effectively.
• Assist in school events and manage lost property.

Skills

Reception service

Administrative support

Confidentiality

Communication

IT proficiency

Job description

Purpose

• To provide a professional and personable reception service to all pupils, staff and visitors
• To provide high quality, comprehensive administrative support as required

Specific Duties

• To complete reception duties efficiently and to provide a professional and positive welcome to all visitors, students and staff
• To oversee the Inventry system issuing visitor lanyards and ensure all persons are signed in/out, in accordance with safeguarding protocols
• To take receipt of and accurately record deliveries in liaison with the Site Manager
• To deal with enquiries, by email, telephone and in person, and to ensure accurate information is passed to the relevant parties in a speedy manner, maintaining confidentiality at all times
• To maintain a neat and tidy reception area, ensuring school publications and other relevant information is readily available for visitors
• To oversee ‘lost property’
• To be responsible for incoming and out-going post and to monitor the general office email account directing and responding to emails accordingly
• To provide cover in the absence of the Attendance Officer
• To maintain the SIMS database and update information, in an accurate and speedy manner as required
• To be the first point of call for first aid ensuring prompt response to first aid requests by a qualified member of staff
• To be the first point of call for ‘on call’ ensuring prompt response to on call requests by the member of SLT as per the on call rota
• To assist in the organisation of school events and parents’ meetings
• To collate and update information on new in-take students as required
• To provide clerical and admin support to colleagues as required
• To undertake photocopying as required and to collate and distribute documents as necessary
• To liaise with TFGM to ensure that the school bus services run effectively and to time
• To ensure SIMs information relating to pupils eligible for Free School Meals is kept up to date via information from the SAM portal
• Be aware of, and implement, security procedures such as Lockdown
• To distribute letters and other information to staff, parents and students as directed by line manager/Headteacher’s PA
• Communicate and co-operate effectively and positively with specialists from outside agencies where applicable
• To manage the school Biometric system which records pupil thumbprints to allow the cashless catering system to operate efficiently

General Duties

• To act in accordance with provisions of the School Staff Code of Conduct.
• To abide by the School Data Protection Policy
• To use information technology systems as required, in compliance with the School IT Policy
• To carry out the responsibilities of the post with due regard to all or any of the School equality and diversity policies
• To operate in accordance with Health and Safety Legislation, which specifies that all employees have a duty to work safely and not to put others at risk
• To take part in performance management and undertake/ participate in training as appropriate
• To comply with and follow all other school policies and procedures in force and also with the conditions of service stipulated within the contract of employment
• To have an involvement in other associated duties as discussed and agreed with the Headteacher

Other Specific Duties

Many specific responsibilities will require collaborative working with other team members across the school.

Whilst every effort has been made to explain the main duties and responsibilities of the post, each individual task may not be identified. The post holder will be expected to comply with all reasonable requests from any manager to undertake work of a similar level, that is not specified in their job description.

What the school offers its staff

We are a good oversubscribed school (OFSTED 2022) located in Stockport, South of Manchester. Our school is made up of 825 students and 100 staff. St James’ Catholic High School is a thriving Catholic community that places children at the centre of everything we do. The Diocese of Shrewsbury judged our school to be a “Good” Catholic school.

St James’ is a highly academic performing school:

• In 2025, 73% of students attained a Grade 4 or above in both English & Mathematics (the equivalent to the old Grade C) with 46% achieving a Grade 5 or above in both English & Mathematics
• 82 grade 9s and 115 grade 8s were awarded to our students in 2025, demonstrating exceptional attainment across a wide range of subjects
• Exceptional results in open, Maths and English subjects placing us in the top 20% of similar schools nationally

Our school is at the cutting edge of teaching and learning and thrives on providing outstanding opportunities for the young people we serve. All our staff work to provide our young people with the skills, knowledge and understanding in order to achieve their full potential.

Inspired by the example of St James, the purpose of our school is ‘To educate and develop global Catholic citizens’. Our three school values of Family, Faith and Excellence are lived out every single day by staff, students and all stakeholders.

The reputation of our school is exceptional within Stockport and across the Shrewsbury Diocese for academic excellence, impeccable pupil conduct and for providing outstanding additional opportunities for our young people. The result is that our young people develop into global Catholic citizens who are proud to profess their faith and who make a positive contribution to society.

At the root of our success is our St James’ community. This is built on strong, positive relationships between all staff, students and parents. Our parents support our school and develop their children at home whilst our dedicated staff are relentless in driving excellence by providing the best educational experiences and opportunities for our students.

Underpinning this excellence are our unique values, Catholic ethos and our mission. We are inspired and driven by the Gospel where we are told: ‘With God all things are possible’ (Matthew 19:26).

Commitment to safeguarding

St James’ Catholic High School is an equal opportunity employer which is “Positive about Disabled People”. Whilst all applicants will be judged on merit alone, we particularly welcome applications from groups currently under-represented in the workforce, who meet the person specification for the post St James’ Catholic High 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 checks with past employers and the Disclosure & Barring Service.