At a Glance
- Tasks: Be the friendly face of Downend School, managing calls and visitors with a smile.
- Company: Join a supportive school community dedicated to empowering young people.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, professional development, and family-friendly leave packages.
- Other info: Work part-time during term time with opportunities for growth and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while developing your skills in a vibrant environment.
- Qualifications: Previous reception experience and strong organisational skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 13381 - 13381 £ per year.
Employer: Downend School
Location: Downend, South Gloucestershire
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: Part Time, Term Time
Salary: CSET 11, £25,584 FTE, £13,381 prorated
Posted: 23rd June 2026
Expires: 3rd July 2026 09:00 AM
Start Date: 1st September 2026
Job ID: 1561976
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:
- A supportive trust and school community
- Strong collaboration across the trust family of schools and access to a centralised team of specialists across all areas of school operations
- A commitment to high‐quality CPD, with dedicated time and budget for your development
- A values‐driven ethos where diversity, equity and inclusion are lived every day
- Recognition of continuous service (modification order) to protect employment rights and entitlements
- Local Authority Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions and death‐in‐service cover
- Occupational sick pay to support you during illness or unexpected emergencies
- 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 3rd July. 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.
Receptionist in Bristol employer: CSET Sports Partnership
Downend School is an exceptional employer that fosters a supportive and collaborative work environment, prioritising the professional development of its staff through high-quality CPD opportunities. Located in Downend, South Gloucestershire, the school promotes a values-driven ethos centred on participation, respect, identity, determination, and excellence, ensuring that employees feel valued and part of a caring community. With generous benefits including a Local Authority Pension Scheme, occupational sick pay, and family-friendly leave packages, Downend School is committed to maintaining a healthy work-life balance for all its staff.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Receptionist in Bristol
✨Connect with the Community
Get involved in customer support communities online! Platforms like Reddit and specific Facebook groups can be goldmines for sharing opportunities and tips. You can find out about part-time roles that might not even be advertised yet — it's all about who you know!
✨Attend Local Job Fairs
Job fairs are perfect for snagging part-time gigs! Keep an eye out for local hiring events and career expos in your area. It’s a brilliant chance to meet representatives from companies like CSET Sports Partnership and show off your personality in person.
✨Boost Your Visibility
Showcase your skills in online customer support forums or by offering help on platforms like Zendesk Community. A strong online presence can catch the eyes of recruiters and hiring managers looking for genuinely passionate candidates.
✨Apply Directly Through Us!
Don’t forget, applying through our website is one of the best ways to catch our attention. Tailor your application for the part-time customer support role at CSET Sports Partnership and let us see your personality shine through!
We think you need these skills to ace Receptionist in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Communication Skills:In customer support, communication is key! Make sure your CV and cover letter highlight your ability to clearly convey information and resolve issues. Use examples that illustrate how you've helped customers or colleagues in the past.
Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Abilities:Employers want to see how you tackle challenges. Include specific instances where you resolved a tough issue for a customer or improved a process. Real life scenarios are a great way to showcase your critical thinking and adaptability.
Tailor Your Application to Part-Time Work:Since this is a part-time role, be upfront about your availability in your cover letter. Highlight how you can balance work with your other commitments. It shows you're organised and committed to making the role work for both you and CSET Sports Partnership.
Get Familiar with Our Brand:Before applying, take some time to learn about CSET Sports Partnership and our approach to customer support. Mention in your cover letter why you're excited about supporting our customers specifically. It’ll show your enthusiasm and that you've done your homework!
How to prepare for a job interview at CSET Sports Partnership
✨Show Off Your Communication Skills
In customer support, being able to communicate clearly and effectively is key. During the interview, make sure to demonstrate your listening skills and your ability to explain solutions simply. Use examples from past experiences where you resolved customer issues successfully.
✨Know the Tools of the Trade
Familiarise yourself with common customer support tools like ticketing systems (think Zendesk or Freshdesk) and chat software. If you’ve used any of these in previous roles or during your studies, be ready to chat about your experiences. Showing you can hit the ground running with these tools will impress CSET Sports Partnership.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility
Since this is a part-time role, emphasise your ability to adapt to different shifts and your willingness to handle varying customer volumes. Share any experiences where you thrived in a fast-paced environment or juggled multiple tasks, which can highlight your time management skills.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Interviewers often love scenario-based questions in customer support roles. Be ready to tackle common customer situations, like how you'd handle an unhappy customer. Practising responses to these scenarios will showcase your problem-solving ability and customer service mindset, which CSET Sports Partnership will surely appreciate.
