School Receptionist

Randstad UK; Leeds; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Refer a Friend voucher

Job summary

Randstad UK is seeking a School Receptionist in Leeds to be the friendly, efficient front desk hub for a busy school. You will handle calls, greet visitors, support students and staff, and maintain safeguarding and administrative standards.

You will work closely with senior leaders, attendance staff, and partner organisations to ensure smooth front-office operations and accurate MIS data. DBS clearance is required or in process.

Qualifications

• Proven experience at a school reception, college front desk, or busy admin setting.
• Enhanced DBS clearance registered on the Update Service (or willingness to apply).
• Strong professional references covering two years of employment/placements.
• Eligibility to work full-time in the UK.

Responsibilities

• Be the primary contact for telephone, email and in-person enquiries and route messages.
• Manage visitor check-ins, verify identities, issue passes and brief guests on safeguarding procedures.
• Maintain electronic attendance registers and log late arrivals/early dismissals, contacting parents on first day absence.
• Provide general admin support across departments including document handling and filing.
• Oversee central school inbox and escalate sensitive matters to leadership.
• Support parent–teacher events, open days, and partner visits, coordinating inductions.

Skills

Verbal Communication

Written Communication

Multi-tasking & Prioritisation

Active Listening

Conflict Resolution

Digital Literacy

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Educational MIS systems

Job description

Do you pride yourself on delivering a warm, professional first impression?

Do you enjoy interacting with students, parents, and industry partners?

Are you confident navigating modern administrative systems and databases?

About the Role

The appointed School Receptionist serves as the central operational hub and the face of the school. Operating in a fast-paced education setting, this full-time role requires managing incoming telephone enquiries, welcoming corporate and community visitors, assisting students, and providing comprehensive administrative support across the school. Working closely with the senior leadership team and attendance officers, the receptionist ensures smooth daily front-office operations, maintains uncompromising safeguarding and visitor verification protocols, and supports the administrative backbone of an innovative learning environment.

About the School

Situated in Leeds, the school bridges the gap between secondary education and future-facing industry careers, working in close partnership with regional employers, universities, and engineering and digital hubs across West Yorkshire. The academy boasts state-of-the-art facilities, modern professional working spaces, and an ethos that mirrors a professional workplace rather than a standard classroom, preparing young people for higher apprenticeships, university degrees, and technical careers.

Requirements

• Proven prior experience working in a school reception, college front desk, or busy customer-facing administrative setting.
• Enhanced DBS: A valid Enhanced DBS clearance registered on the Update Service (or a willingness to apply for one).
• Strong References: Provision of professional references covering two years of employment or placements.
• Eligibility to Work: Valid legal entitlement to work full-time in the UK.

Required Skills

• Verbal Communication: Clear, articulate, and welcoming telephone and interpersonal manner.
• Written Communication: High proficiency in drafting professional emails, correspondence, and notices.
• Multi-tasking & Prioritisation: Ability to switch between phone enquiries, walk-in visitors, and data entry seamlessly.
• Active Listening: Attentive and empathetic listening when dealing with concerned parents or distressed students.
• Conflict Resolution: De-escalation and diplomacy skills when handling challenging or sensitive situations at reception.
• Digital Literacy: Strong competency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and educational management systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the primary point of contact for all telephone, email, and face-to-face enquiries, routing messages promptly to appropriate departments.
• Manage visitor check-ins, verify identity documents, issue security passes, and brief guests on safeguarding and health-and-safety procedures.
• Maintain accurate electronic student attendance registers, log late arrivals and early dismissals, and initiate first-day absence contact with parents.
• Receive, sort, and distribute incoming post, deliveries, and parcels, coordinating outgoing postal dispatches.
• Provide administrative assistance across academic departments, including document formatting, printing, scanning, and filing.
• Oversee the central school email inbox, responding to routine queries and escalating urgent or sensitive matters to leadership.
• Support the coordination of parent-teacher evenings, open events, employer partner visits, and student induction days.
• Maintain and update student records and contact details on the school's management information system (MIS).
• Assist with basic student welfare needs, triage front-desk medical requests, and liaise with designated first aiders.
• Ensure the reception foyer, visitor sign-in terminals, and administrative suites remain tidy, secure, and fully stocked with office supplies.

What We Offer:

• A supportive, collaborative working environment.
• Opportunities for career progression and ongoing professional development.
• The chance to make a significant impact on the lives of students.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• A Refer a Friend scheme where you could earn a £300 Love2shop voucher (subject to terms and conditions).