Job Overview
Walsall Studio School and Sixth is a deliberately small, forward-thinking school serving young people aged 14 to 19 who are passionate about creative pathways in performance, music, and media. We offer a unique learning environment that looks and feels like a modern creative workplace rather than a traditional school, with flexible studio spaces and industry-standard facilities that reflect the real world our students are preparing to enter.
At the heart of our mission is a commitment to inclusion, aspiration, and professional standards. We believe in treating our students as young professionals, helping them to thrive both personally and creatively through high expectations, trauma-informed practice, and a deep understanding of the individual. Our culture is one where every student is known, seen, and supported.
As a founding member of The Mercian Trust, we are proud to be part of a family of schools that share our belief in partnership, collaboration, and community. We work closely with industry partners, creative professionals, and local organisations to ensure our students gain not just qualifications, but authentic experiences that prepare them for the world beyond education.
If you share our values and want to help shape the next generation of creative professionals, we would love to hear from you.
Receptionist / Admin Support Assistant
Job Title: Receptionist/Admin Support Assistant
Salary: (Grade 4 SCP 6-11: FTE: £25,183- £27,269 Actual Salary: £21,661-£23,455)
Responsible to: Office Manager/SLT PA
Responsible for: Front-of-House Services and Administration Support
Role Type: Support Staff
Contract Type: Term Time Only, 37 hours per week
Working Hours: Monday to Thursday, 8:00am – 4:00pm/Friday 8.00am – 3.30pm
Closing Date: Thursday 24th July
Interview Date: Monday 28th July
Job Purpose
The Receptionist plays a vital role in ensuring the school provides a welcoming, efficient, and professional front-of-house service for all students, staff, visitors, and stakeholders. The postholder will act as the first point of contact at the school, providing a calm and courteous reception and administrative support. They will contribute to the smooth day-to-day operation of the school, including admissions and work collaboratively with the administration team to uphold safeguarding, communication, and organisational systems.
Key Responsibilities
1. Reception and Front-of-House Services
2. Provide a professional, friendly, and efficient welcome to all students, parents, visitors, and contractors.
3. Manage the visitor sign-in process, ensuring safeguarding protocols are followed at all times.
4. Answer and direct telephone calls and emails, relaying messages accurately and promptly.
5. Monitor the entry/exit of students during the day, ensuring procedures are followed for lateness, appointments, or early departures.
6. Receive and distribute post and deliveries appropriately.
7. Administrative Support
8. Provide general administrative support to the Office Manager/SLT PA, Senior Leadership Team (SLT), and wider school staff as required.
9. Assist with daily communications, including issuing letters, emails, and text messages to parents and staff.
10. Maintain accurate student information and contact records using the school’s MIS (e.g., SIMS).
11. Assist in the preparation and distribution of documents and resources for meetings and events.
12. Support with data entry, word processing, and the organisation of files, both electronic and paper-based.
13. Student and Parent Liaison
14. Respond to student queries and needs at reception in a calm and supportive manner.
15. Assist with administering first aid to students and liaise with parents regarding illness, injury, or welfare concerns.
16. Support the coordination of parental communication and meetings, including helping with sign-ins at Parents’ Evenings and Open Evenings.
17. School Operations
18. Provide cover for administrative staff where required, supporting key operational areas such as Attendance, Exams, and Admissions.
19. Maintain a tidy, welcoming, and professional reception area.
20. Ensure that health and safety, GDPR, and safeguarding expectations are upheld in all interactions and processes.
21. Undertake any duties reasonably required to ensure the effective running of the school’s administrative and operational systems.
22. Undertake any other duties as directed by the Headteacher.
23. Admissions Support
24. Provide administrative assistance to support the admissions process, working closely with the Office Manager/SLT PA to ensure a smooth and professional experience for prospective students and their families.
25. Respond to initial admissions enquiries in a timely and courteous manner, signposting families to key information and recording interest on relevant tracking systems.
26. Assist with the preparation and coordination of student recruitment events such as open evenings, induction days, and tours—including organising materials, confirming attendance, and supporting hospitality on the day.
27. Help process admission forms and documentation, ensuring records are accurately maintained in line with the school’s data protection and safeguarding policies.
28. Liaise with internal staff and external agencies to support transition arrangements and ensure prospective students are warmly welcomed into the school community.
Safe Working Practices for Adults working with Children – It is the responsibility of each employee to carry out their duties in line with Mercian Trust’s ethos and culture of safe working practices for adults working with children and be sensitive and caring to the needs of the disadvantaged, promoting a positive approach to a harmonious working environment. Each employee should act as an exemplar on these issues and must, where appropriate, identify and monitor training for themselves and any employees they are responsible for.
The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All post holders are subject to a Satisfactory Disclosure & Barring Service Check (DBS) and satisfactory employment references, as well as identification and qualification, prohibition and barred list checks which will be required before commencing duties.
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