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The Opportunity
A secondary school reception is the high-energy hub of the campus, serving as the vital link between the academy, its hundreds of students, and the wider Walsall community. We are seeking a professional, empathetic, and highly organized School Receptionist to join our front-of-house team. In this role, you are the first point of contact for a large and diverse population of students, staff, and families, ensuring that the school’s complex administrative operations run smoothly in a safe and welcoming environment.
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The Role & Department
* You will be based in a fast-paced secondary office, working closely with the School Business Manager and the Senior Leadership Team (SLT).
* This role requires the ability to manage the unique demands of a secondary setting, from handling student queries during break times to managing high volumes of external visitors and contractors.
* You will be part of a collaborative support staff hub that is dedicated to ensuring the academy provides a professional and efficient environment for both learning and business.
* The academy provides a structured setting where professional development in advanced educational software and secondary-level safeguarding is a priority.
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Core Responsibilities
1. Front-of-House Excellence: Greeting parents, external agencies, and visitors, ensuring they are signed in via the school’s visitor management system in strict accordance with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSiE) guidelines.
2. Student Services: Acting as a central point of contact for students throughout the school day, assisting with queries, lost property, and the distribution of internal communications.
3. MIS & Data Management: Utilizing secondary-specific databases (such as SIMS, Arbor, or Bromcom) to update student records, manage attendance data, and assist with the administrative requirements of the school’s pastoral systems.
4. Communication Management: Overseeing a busy multi-line switchboard, directing calls to the appropriate subject departments or heads of year, and monitoring the main academy admin email account.
5. Safeguarding & Logistics: Maintaining a secure reception area, coordinating the arrival of delivery vehicles, and ensuring all visitor access follows the academy’s rigorous child protection protocols.
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The Successful Candidate We are looking for an individual who can maintain a calm, authoritative, and professional demeanour during the "secondary school rush" and who thrives in a busy educational environment. Requirements include:
* Experience: Previous experience in a school office or a high-volume professional reception role is highly desirable.
* Systems Knowledge: Proficiency in Microsoft Office is essential; experience with secondary MIS systems (SIMS/Arbor/Bromcom) is a significant advantage.
* Safeguarding Mindset: A firm understanding of the importance of data protection (GDPR) and the specific safeguarding requirements of a secondary educational setting.
* Resilience: The ability to handle sensitive situations or difficult conversations with parents and members of the public with discretion and tact.
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Why Join Us?
* A role at the heart of a vibrant secondary community where you play a key part in the school’s daily success.
* Access to specialized training in school business administration and Level 1 Safeguarding.
* The opportunity to work in Walsall, with excellent local transport links and the benefit of a term-time-only working pattern.
* A supportive staff culture that values the essential role the administrative team plays in maintaining a high-functioning academy.
How to Apply
Please submit your current CV to begin the application process for this School Receptionist position. An enhanced DBS check will be required for the successful candidate.