Receptionist & Administrative Officer at Hamilton School

Maiden Erlegh Trust

Reading

Hybrid

GBP 20,000 - 25,000

Full time

21 hours ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Pension Scheme

Annual Leave

Hybrid Working

Professional Development

Job summary

Maiden Erlegh Trust’s Hamilton School in Reading is seeking a Receptionist & Administration Officer to provide front-of-house and confidential administrative support, keeping pupils, staff and visitors well served. You will be the first point of contact for many stakeholders, maintaining records and supporting safeguarding, admissions and welfare activities.

The role is permanent, 37 hours per week, term-time plus 5 INSET days, with a SEN allowance.

Qualifications

As NVQ Level 2 or equivalent is required.
Competence in Microsoft Office and standard administrative systems.
Experience using a School Management Information System (MIS) or similar is advantageous.
Ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.
Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise in a busy environment.
Commitment to confidentiality and handling sensitive information.
Able to work collaboratively, use initiative and adapt to priorities.
Committed to safeguarding and promoting welfare of children.

Responsibilities

Provide high-quality reception and admin support to ensure efficient school services.
Be the professional first point of contact for pupils, parents, staff, and visitors.
Maintain accurate pupil records and information systems to support operations.
Support safeguarding, welfare, attendance, first aid, and health processes.
Coordinate admissions, educational visits, events, and communications.
Ensure confidentiality and data protection compliance.

Skills

NVQ Level 2

MS Office

MIS experience

Communication skills

Organisational skills

Confidentiality

Teamwork

Safeguarding awareness

Education

NVQ Level 2 or equivalent

Tools

School MIS

Job description

New
New
Job Reference #
EDV/2026/HS/33002
Location
135 Bulmershe Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 5SG
Contract Type
Permanent
Contract Term
Full-Time
Salary
£22,582.00 Annually (Actual)
Grade 4 SCP 7 working 37 hours per week Term Time only plus 5 INSET days ( FTE 26,402) Plus a SEN allowance £1,538.711
Hours Per Week
37
Closing Date
Midnight, Wed 30th Sep, 2026
Positions Available
1
Interview Date(s)
To be confirmed

About This Role

Are you an organised and professional administrator who enjoys working with people and making a positive difference every day? Hamilton School is seeking a Receptionist & Administration Officer to provide efficient, effective and confidential reception and administrative support. This is a varied role at the centre of school life, ensuring the smooth day-to-day operation of front-of-house and administrative services that support pupils, staff, parents, carers and visitors. [
As the first point of contact for many stakeholders, you will help create a welcoming, safe and well-organised environment while supporting key school functions including admissions, attendance, welfare, communications and educational visits. Your work will contribute directly to the effective operation of the school and support positive outcomes for students.
As a Disability Confident employer, we want to ensure everyone can perform at their best when applying to work with us. If you need any support with your application or adjustments during the selection process, please contact our People Team by emailing hr@maidenerleghtrust.org or calling 0118 929 6020.

Key Responsibilities

Provide high-quality reception and administrative support to ensure the efficient operation of school services and support teaching and learning activities across the school.
Act as a professional first point of contact for pupils, parents, carers, staff, visitors and external agencies, ensuring enquiries are managed promptly and appropriately.
Maintain accurate pupil records, information systems and administrative processes to support school operations, reporting requirements and statutory compliance.
Support safeguarding, student welfare, attendance, first aid and health-related processes, helping to maintain a safe environment for students and visitors.
Coordinate and support admissions, educational visits, school events, communications and wider operational activities.
Ensure confidentiality, safeguarding, health and safety, equality and data protection requirements are consistently maintained.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

NVQ Level 2 qualification or equivalent.
Competent in the use of Microsoft Office applications and administrative systems.
Experience of using a school Management Information System (MIS) or similar would be advantageous.
Able to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders and build positive professional relationships.
Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise competing demands and maintain accuracy in a busy environment.
Committed to maintaining confidentiality and handling sensitive information appropriately.
Able to work collaboratively, use initiative and adapt to changing priorities.
Committed to safeguarding, promoting the welfare of children and supporting a safe learning environment.

Hamilton School

Hamilton School in Reading is a place of opportunity, belonging and growth for young people aged 11–16. As a special school within Maiden Erlegh Trust, it provides a highly supportive environment for students who benefit from smaller classes, strong relationships and personalised approaches that help them learn, develop confidence and succeed in life.

Every day at Hamilton is different. Staff work closely as a team to spark curiosity, celebrate progress and help students build the skills they need for the future. The school moved into its purpose-built home on Bulmershe Road in 2022, a modern and welcoming space designed around the needs of its learners.

Hamilton supports students with social, emotional and mental health needs and is recognised for its expertise, teamwork and impact, including a Pride of Reading Award nomination from parents.

The Hamilton team is united by commitment and compassion, and colleagues describe the staff team as exceptional in how they support one another and their students. As part of the Trust’s Special and Alternative Provision Hub, colleagues connect across schools to share practice, develop professionally and access strong wellbeing support.

About Maiden Erlegh Trust

Maiden Erlegh Trust is a growing community of schools across Berkshire and Oxfordshire, working together to deliver the best possible education for every child and young person. With around 800 staff and 5000 students across nine schools, including primary, secondary, special, and alternative provision, we are proud of the diversity that shapes our expertise.

We Aim High, Be Inclusive, and Work Together. These values drive our focus on high-quality education for all, through collaboration, inclusion, and continuous improvement.

Through the Maiden Erlegh Institute, colleagues access high-quality professional learning at every stage of their career, supported by mentoring, leadership opportunities, and our annual MET Staff Conference—a day that unites our whole team in sharing best practice and learning.

Joining our Trust means being part of a community that invests in people and values expertise; it is about playing a direct role in shaping the lives and outcomes of young people.

You can learn more about working with us and hear from colleagues across our Trust by clicking here to visit our website.

Benefits

Benefits of Working with Maiden Erlegh Trust

Pension Scheme – Generous employer contributions through the Teachers’ Pension Scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme
Annual Leave – Generous entitlement, increasing with length of service
ME Day – One additional day’s leave each year for a significant personal event
Professional Development – Extensive CPD through the Maiden Erlegh Institute, annual Trust Conference and apprenticeship opportunities
Hybrid Working – Flexible working arrangements for eligible roles
Perkbox – Discounts, wellbeing resources and monthly perk points
Wellbeing and Health – Free flu vaccinations and eye tests (where eligible)
Employee Assistance Programme – 24/7 support and discount schemes
Mental Health First Aid Support
Recognition and Community – Celebrating achievements and milestones across #TeamMET
Employee Referral Scheme

Additional Information

If you believe this is an environment where you can thrive, develop and make a meaningful contribution, please contact recruitment@maidenerleghtrust.org for an informal discussion.

Applicants are encouraged to apply early, as we reserve the right to close the advert and interview at any time.

Maiden Erlegh Trust is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.

Safeguarding Statement

Maiden Erlegh Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Maiden Erlegh Trust ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.