Receptionist & Admin Assistant

Teaching Vacancies; Ferndown; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 26,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Assistance Programme

Cycle to Work Scheme

Career development opportunities

Job summary

Ferndown Middle School is seeking a Receptionist & Admin Assistant to welcome pupils, families and visitors and keep the school office running smoothly. The role is term-time only, fixed term for 1 year maternity cover, with a 34.75 hour week schedule.

The salary is £26,427 per year full-time equivalent; actual salary for part-time, term-time only working: £20,667 per annum. The post offers a supportive environment within a caring school community.

Qualifications

• Warm and welcoming presence for pupils, families and staff.
• Ability to prioritise tasks and manage a busy front desk.
• Professional, discreet handling of confidential information.
• Experience with administrative software and ICT systems.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• Willingness to learn and contribute to school life.

Responsibilities

• Welcome pupils, parents and visitors in a professional, friendly way.
• Manage the reception, handle enquiries and phone calls per safeguarding procedures.
• Provide high-quality administrative support and maintain records.
• Support attendance, communications and pupil information processes.
• Help organise events and keep the school community informed.

Skills

Reception & Admin

Communication

Calm & organised

ICT systems

Attention to detail

Trustworthy

Job description

What skills and experience we're looking for

Receptionist & Admin Assistant – Ferndown Middle School

£26,427 per annum (full time equivalent); actual salary for part-time, term-time only working: £20,667 per annum

34.75 hours per week, (Monday, Tuesday & Thursday 8:15am - 4:30pm, Wednesday & Friday 8:15am - 2:30pm)

Term-time only

Fixed term for 1 Year (maternity cover)

Every school has a first hello.

It's the warm welcome at the reception desk, the reassuring voice on the phone, the helping hand offered when someone needs support. It's where pupils, families, staff and visitors experience the school's values in action from the moment they walk through the door.

At Ferndown Middle School, we're looking for a Receptionist & Admin Assistant who will play a vital role at the heart of our school community. As the first point of contact for many people, you'll help create a positive, safe and welcoming environment while ensuring the school office runs smoothly and efficiently behind the scenes.

What you'll do

• Welcome pupils, parents, staff and visitors, ensuring everyone receives a professional, friendly and supportive experience.
• Manage the busy reception area, handling enquiries, telephone calls and visitors in line with school safeguarding and security procedures.
• Provide high-quality administrative support, maintaining accurate records and supporting key school processes including attendance, communication and pupil information.
• Assist with the organisation of school events, meetings and activities, helping the wider school community stay connected and informed.
• Contribute to a calm, organised and efficient environment that enables staff to focus on what matters most: helping children thrive.

Who you are

• Kind, approachable and child-centred, with a genuine commitment to helping children, families and colleagues feel welcomed and supported.
• Calm and organised, able to prioritise competing demands and maintain a positive approach in a busy school environment.
• A confident communicator who builds positive relationships with pupils, parents, staff and external partners.
• Professional, discreet and trustworthy, with the ability to handle confidential information appropriately.
• Comfortable using ICT systems and administrative software, with excellent attention to detail and a willingness to learn.
• Flexible, proactive and collaborative, always ready to support the wider team and contribute to the life of the school.

What the school offers its staff

About us:

Ferndown Middle School is a vibrant and caring school serving children in Years 5–8. We pride ourselves on knowing our pupils well, setting high expectations and creating an environment where children feel safe, supported and excited to learn. Our staff work closely together, support one another and share a strong sense of purpose - and we believe that schools work best when everyone feels valued and included.

Our curriculum is ambitious, supportive and constantly evolving, and we are proud of the strong relationships that underpin all we do.

• The chance to make a huge difference in the lives of young people, one small victory at a time.
• A school culture built on care, collaboration and a genuine belief in helping every child shine.
• You will be part of an inclusive and collaborative team that, no matter what the challenge may be, are ready to face it head on and are committed to seeing it through.
• Free access to the Employee Assistance Programme and our Cycle to Work Scheme.
• The opportunity to develop your career in a School, and within the Southern Education Trust - a growing Trust where our mission is “making lives better” and our values are kindness, collaboration and creativity.

If you like welcoming everyone in, keeping the day on track, and being the calm, capable presence behind those “it’s all sorted now” moments, this could be the role for you.

Further details about the role

Visits to the School:

If you would like to visit the school, please contact the school office on 01202 876556 or email [e-mail]

Interview date: w/c 9th November 2026

Please note: Applications may be viewed on receipt and interviews arranged sooner than the above date.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Isabel at the recruitment address, who will be happy to assist you.

Commitment to safeguarding

The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, this role involves directly working with children and significant contact with children, and therefore we expect all staff and volunteers to share the same commitment. Please ensure a full work history is completed in your application form including any gaps of employment. Applicants will be required to complete satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check for this post prior to commencement. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974. The Trust is an equal opportunities employer.