Receptionist & Admin Assistant at Ferndown Middle School

Dorset Council; Ferndown; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 26,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Assistance Programme

Cycle to Work Scheme

Job summary

Ferndown Middle School is seeking a warm, professional Receptionist & Admin Assistant to be the first point of contact for pupils, families and visitors, creating a welcoming environment and ensuring the office runs smoothly behind the scenes.

This part-time, term-time role is a fixed-term maternity cover (34.75 hours/week). Hours: Mon Tue Thu 8:15–16:30, Wed Fri 8:15–14:30. Salary: £20,667 p.a. (part-time); £26,427 p.a. FTE. Applications close 1 November 2026.

Qualifications

• Friendly, approachable and child-centred
• Calm and organised in a busy school environment
• Confident communicator with pupils, parents and staff
• Professional, discreet handling of confidential information

Responsibilities

• Welcome pupils, parents, staff and visitors in a professional, friendly manner
• Manage busy reception, handle enquiries, calls and visitors per safeguarding procedures
• Provide high-quality admin support and maintain accurate records
• Assist with school events and help keep the office organised

Skills

Welcoming demeanor

Calm under pressure

Strong communication

Organised

Confidentiality

ICT proficiency

Tools

Administrative software

Job description

About the role

Receptionist & Admin Assistant at 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 to 4:30pm, Wednesday & Friday 8:15am to 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

Further Information

Visits to the school

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

Closing date: 1 November 2026

Interview date: w/c 9 November 2026

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

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.

If successfully shortlisted the HR Department will also be conducting an individual online search of your ‘name, education and employment’, to demonstrate due diligence following ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education' guidance. The search will not form part of the actual shortlisting process and any concerns arising from the search will be discussed directly with you.

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.

Why join us?

• 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.