Receptionist / Business Operations Assistant (Pupil Administration)

Teach in Herts; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 21,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

Northgate Primary School is seeking a friendly and organised Business Operations Assistant to join the busy school office. You will provide a warm reception, handle pupil administration, attendance and admissions, and support overall school business operations.

The role involves working closely with the School Business Manager and wider staff. Training will be provided, and the successful candidate will demonstrate initiative and professionalism in a busy environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in a school or education environment desirable; training will be provided.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to interact effectively with pupils, parents and staff.

Responsibilities

• Reception and office administration including greeting visitors and safeguarding of staff and pupils.
• Answering telephone calls, emails and managing the school intercom system.
• Managing visitor management and security systems.
• Maintaining pupil attendance and records using management information systems.
• Administering admissions and supporting school census and related processes.

Skills

Friendly and professional

Organised

Calm under pressure

Good communication

IT proficient

Tools

MIS systems

Job description

Hours: 35 hours per week Monday to Friday
Working pattern: Term time and INSET days (39 weeks)

About the role

This is an exciting opportunity to join the busy and welcoming office team at Northgate Primary School.

We are looking for a friendly, organised and highly efficient Business Operations Assistant to provide a professional reception service alongside a wide range of pupil administration and office support.

No two days are the same. You will be one of the first points of contact for our pupils, parents, staff, visitors and external agencies, helping to ensure that the school runs smoothly and that everyone who comes through our doors receives a warm and professional welcome.

The role combines reception, pupil administration, attendance, admissions and general office/business operations. You will need to be comfortable managing competing priorities, working accurately and confidentially, and using your initiative in a busy environment.

You will work closely with the School Business Manager and wider office team, as well as school leaders, teachers, parents, external agencies and other schools.

About you

We are looking for someone who is:

• Friendly, approachable and professional, with excellent communication skills

• Highly organised, efficient and able to manage competing priorities

• Calm and resilient, particularly when working in a busy school office

• Confident communicating with children, parents, staff, visitors and external agencies

• Able to work independently, use initiative and know when to seek advice

• Accurate and attentive to detail when maintaining records and information

• Discreet and trustworthy when handling confidential and sensitive information

• Flexible and willing to support the wider needs of the school

• A positive team player with a practical, can-do approach

• Committed to providing a high standard of service to pupils, families and colleagues

• Confident using IT and willing to learn new systems and processes

Previous experience in a school or education environment, and experience of working with management information systems, would be desirable, but training will be provided for the right candidate.

What the role will involve

The successful candidate will play an important role in the day-to-day running of the school office. Responsibilities will include:

Reception and office administration

• Providing a warm and professional welcome to parents, visitors and colleagues

• Managing the school's visitor management and security systems

• Supporting the onboarding and local induction of supply staff and visitors

• Answering telephone calls, emails and the school intercom system

• Responding to routine enquiries and ensuring information is passed to the appropriate member of staff

• Managing incoming and outgoing post and assisting with deliveries

• Maintaining reception and meeting areas to a welcoming standard

• Supporting the organisation of school visits and events

• Monitoring office supplies and assisting with ordering and stock control

• Supporting the administration and recording of monies received by the school in accordance with financial procedures

• Providing general administrative and clerical support to the school

Pupil administration and attendance

• Maintaining accurate pupil records and management information systems

• Supporting the accurate recording and monitoring of daily attendance and pupil lateness

• Following up incomplete attendance information with staff

• Contacting parents and carers regarding unexplained absence

• Producing attendance information and reports for school leaders

• Identifying attendance concerns and bringing these to the attention of the appropriate school leader

• Supporting agreed attendance interventions and maintaining accurate records

• Supporting pupil-related school census returns

Admissions and pupil records

• Supporting nursery, reception and in-year admissions

• Liaising with parents, school leaders and relevant authorities

• Maintaining accurate pupil records, including contact details, permissions, medical information and other relevant information

• Maintaining nursery continuing interest lists

• Administering pupil transfers, including common file transfers and Year 6 transfers to secondary schools

• Supporting admissions consultations and other admissions-related administration

• Responding to enquiries from prospective families

We can offer you

• A friendly and supportive school community

• A varied role where no two days are the same

• A welcoming and collaborative office and wider staff team

• Support and training to develop your skills

• The opportunity to develop experience across reception, pupil administration and wider school business operations

• A well-resourced school set within beautiful grounds

• A school community where teamwork, initiative and a positive approach are valued

• The opportunity to make a real contribution to the smooth and effective running of the school

Visits to the school are warmly welcomed.

Safeguarding and safer recruitment

Northgate Primary School Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

The successful applicant will be required to undertake appropriate pre-employment and safeguarding checks, including an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, together with satisfactory references and other checks applicable to the role.

In accordance with Keeping Children Safe in Education 2026, the school will undertake an online search of shortlisted candidates as part of its safer recruitment and due diligence process. Shortlisted candidates will be informed that an online search will be carried out.

Applicants should be aware that the role involves a high degree of contact with children and responsibility for confidential pupil information.

Prospective candidates are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible, as the school reserves the right to close the advert early should a suitable candidate be appointed.

We warmly welcome visits to the school from prospective applicants. If you would like to arrange a visit or have any questions about the role, please contact the school office.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from candidates who can demonstrate the skills, experience and values required for the role.