DescriptionSupporting documentsEmployerLocation
Job title: Receptionist
Salary: CSET 11, £25,584 FTE, £13,381 prorated
Hours: 22.5 hours per week, 39 weeks of the year (term time only + INSET)
Working days: Monday to Wednesday, 8am-4pm
Contract type: Permanent
Location: Downend School, BS16 6XA
Start date: 1st September 2026
About the role
You will be the first line of communication for the school, in person and by telephone. The role will be responsible for maintaining visitors’ record log and the administration of security passes and to ensure the smooth running of reception ensuring that telephone calls, visitors and students are dealt with efficiently, sensitively and appropriately in line with CSET procedures.
About you
As the first point of contact for our visitors both face to face and over the phone you will need to be a professional with a personable attitude. You will have both reception and administrative experience and have excellent organisational skills. It is essential that you are proficient with working with computer systems and have demonstrable ICT skills and are comfortable with working on your own initiative. You will have good interpersonal skills and a strong customer service orientation. They should be confident in dealing with people, promoting and contributing actively to the school ethos and values.
About us
At Downend School we provide a safe, supportive and challenging learning environment that aims to inspire and empower young people to grasp opportunity; to reach their potential and excel; to develop responsibility and integrity and to respect themselves and others.
We have a strong ethos based on our core PRIDE values of participation, respect, identity, determination and excellence. We set standards high and aim to nurture young people who are well equipped to become active and positive members of the school community and to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in a time of rapid change.
We are proud of the care and support we offer our students. We strongly believe in the value of creating a friendly and caring school community where youngsters feel a sense of belonging and feel valued and respected. Happy and motivated students will flourish and become successful young people. Above all, Downend is a happy school.
We can offer you:
1. A supportive trust and school community
2. Strong collaboration across the trust family of schools and access to a centralised team of specialists across all areas of school operations
3. A commitment to high‑quality CPD, with dedicated time and budget for your development
4. A values‑driven ethos where diversity, equity and inclusion are lived every day
5. Recognition of continuous service (modification order) to protect employment rights and entitlements
6. Local Authority Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions and death‑in‑service cover
7. Occupational sick pay to support you during illness or unexpected emergencies
8. Family‑friendly leave packages to help maintain a healthy work–life balance
In order to apply for this role please complete an application form by 9am, Friday 19th June. If you are selected for an interview then please let us know at that stage if you require any adjustments as part of the process.
Please know that depending on the number of applications received we may decide to close the advert early. If you do not hear from us by a week after the closing date then please assume that you have not been shortlisted for an interview. We wish you all the best in your future and ask that you join our E-Teach Talent Pool so as to keep up to date with all of our latest current opportunities.
Join us in Providing a Great Education for Every Child
CSET is committed to equal opportunities and encourages applicants from all backgrounds and communities, as we recognise the importance and benefit this has for our pupils.
Safeguarding Statement
CSET is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All roles across the trust have a varying level of responsibility for ensuring safeguarding practice, with some roles holding significant responsibility and involving working with children on a daily basis in regulated activity. Regardless of the level of responsibility and involvement in each role, we expect all staff, visiting professionals and volunteers to share this commitment.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974. Successful candidates will be required to provide a disclosure of any unspent convictions and cautions, as well as any spent convictions or cautions that are not "protected" (i.e., filtered) under the Amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975 (2013 and 2020). All appointments are subject to a comprehensive pre-employment checking process. This includes an Enhanced DBS check (including a Children’s Barred List check), satisfactory references, medical fitness, Right to Work in the UK, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching/management check. In line with KCSIE guidance, we will also conduct online searches on all shortlisted candidates.
Our full Recruitment and Selection policy is available on our website.