– this role does not offer sponsorship
Join Meadowcroft School as our School Receptionist/Administrative Assistant
Do you bring warmth, professionalism and energy to every interaction? Are you ready to be the friendly face and organised heartbeat of a school that transforms young people’s lives? If so, Meadowcroft School wants to hear from you!
About the Role
As our School Receptionist/Administrative Assistant, you will be the first smile visitors see, the reassuring voice on the phone, and the organisational engine that keeps our school running smoothly. You’ll manage a busy reception, support staff across departments, and ensure that systems, processes, and communications operate efficiently and professionally.
You will help create a welcoming environment where pupils, parents and visitors feel valued, while also providing vital administrative support behind the scenes. From handling correspondence and maintaining records, to supporting Family Liaison Officers, DSL, SEN and Quality of Education teams, your work will ensure the school functions seamlessly every day.
This is a role for someone who thrives on variety, enjoys being part of a team, and wants to make a real difference to the lives of young people and their families.
Key Responsibilities
1. Provide a welcoming, professional reception for all visitors and manage sign-in procedures
2. Answer calls and respond to enquiries from parents, agencies and professionals
3. Support staff with general administrative tasks, including letters, documents and meeting paperwork
4. Maintain organised office systems, trackers and documentation
5. Order resources, manage petty cash, and oversee key/transport requests
6. Administer medication as required (training provided)
7. Assist with safer recruitment checks for agency staff
8. Provide flexible cover during staff absence and support school teams as needed
Who We’re Looking For
9. Minimum of two years’ office or administrative experience
10. Strong IT skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint & Outlook)
11. Excellent customer service, communication and organisational skills
12. Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion
13. Flexible, proactive and able to prioritise under pressure
14. Empathetic, patient and approachable, especially with young people with additional needs
15. Team player with initiative and a professional, reliable approach
16. Experience in a school or educational setting (desirable)
17. Driving licence for travel across multiple sites (highly desirable)
18. Committed to safeguarding, equality and personal development
About Us
Meadowcroft is an independent specialist day school for pupils aged from 5 to 19, catering for pupils with a wide range of needs across 4 sites in Wakefield. Our dedicated team work together to ensure successful outcomes for pupils.
We are part of Acorn Educationand can offer plenty of challenges along with a wide range of opportunities to develop your career. Acorn Education is the UK’s leading provider of specialist education for children and young people with special educational needs. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in creating and delivering innovative approaches that achieve measurable outcomes for those in our care.
We are really proud to say that in 2025, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running.
Why join Acorn Education?
We place the outcomes of the pupils and vulnerable young adults in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you’ll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.
Benefits
Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:
19. Life Assurance
20. Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
21. “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks
And a market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including:
22. A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
23. 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
24. Cycle to Work Schemes
25. Electric Car Purchase Scheme
26. Critical illness cover
27. Family Growth Support - inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support.
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
*You’ll work 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay, giving you more time to do the things that make you happy. 4DWW is subject to successful completion of probation and is not a contractual benefit
Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.
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