Receptionist in Hampton

Position: Receptionist – full‑time (term time only) in the reception at Hampton School. The role involves greeting visitors, managing phone calls, safeguarding communications, assisting pupils and staff, and supporting daily school operations.

Responsibilities:

• Greet and sign in visitors, inform relevant staff of arrivals and safety information, process visitor registration and maintain the visitor database.
• Handle all visitor interactions during fire evacuations.
• Answer phone calls and direct them to the correct department.
• Deal sensitively with pupils, parents and members of the public via telephone, letter or email; adhere to school policies at all times.
• Receive items from parents, ensure collection and distribution.
• Assist pupils with lost‑property queries and liaise with the Parents’ Association for lost property during two lunchtimes per week.
• Visit the uniform supplier, AlleyCatz, fortnightly to collect orders; assist as required.
• Use a spreadsheet of periods and rooms to locate missing pupils when needed.
• Monitor the email address info@ as required.
• Check for trips and staff contacts that require pupil registers.
• Liaise with the School Nurse when Emergency Services are called; attend on site.
• Provide directions to pupils around school, especially regarding room and timetable changes.
• Coordinate with the afternoon receptionist for morning events and handover information.
• Open the reception area at 7:15 am each day.
• Deal with communications relating to late coaches or pupils and pass messages on.
• Liaise with Hampton Prep regarding late coaches; access absence phone messages/emails and pass this information on.
• Check the visitor management system (Inventry) for pupils signing in late and relay information.
• Inform staff if pupils sign out for appointments without prior notification or if there are other signing‑in/out irregularities.
• Pre‑check trips and sports teams to anticipate potential enquiries.
• Assist pupils with room changes, timetable changes and general enquiries.
• Assist with general administrative support to ensure the smooth running of reception.
• Attend INSET training outside school where appropriate to increase competence, proficiency and safety awareness.
• Complete online EduCare and other courses to ensure legal compliance.
• Undertake any other duties reasonably required by the school.
• May be required to work outside contractual hours in emergencies.

Person Specification:

• Self‑motivated, professional, and compassionate individual with strong communication skills and the ability to work under pressure.
• Commitment to safeguarding and well‑being of pupils.
• Excellent listening, verbal and written communication; calm, confident and presentable; empathetic handling of pupils, parents, staff and visitors.
• Ability to maintain professionalism, confidentiality and discretion with sensitive information.
• Professional and collaborative team player who instils confidence.
• Proficient planning, administration and MS Office skills; proven ability to prioritise.
• Customer‑focused experience advantageous.
• School reception experience advantageous.
• Awareness of data security, privacy laws and the school privacy policy.
• Initiative, common sense and patience.
• Enthusiasm, willingness and flexibility to adapt to changing priorities.
• Ability to develop and maintain relationships with the school community and external organisations.
• Capacity to balance and prioritise large quantities of concurrent deliverables.
• Commitment to continuing professional development through attendance at INSET.
• Excellent communication and IT skills.
• Calmness and efficiency under pressure.
• Keen eye for detail and administrative competence.
• Experience in customer service or security environment an advantage.
• Health and safety awareness; First Aid training will be provided.
• Capacity to work independently and collaboratively.
• Understanding of high expectations within independent education sector.
• Full understanding and promotion of the school’s aims and ethos.
• Willingness to rise to challenges in a school environment.

Hours and Holidays:

Tues‑Fri, 7:15 am‑12:40 pm (term time). Additional work includes one week in August for results week (as agreed with the line manager) and INSET or open days. Annual leave must be taken during school holidays.

Salary & Benefits:

Salary: £31,671 full‑time equivalent, pro‑rated to part‑time term‑time hours. Non‑contractual benefits (subject to terms and conditions and eligibility): private medical insurance (PHC), death‑in‑service benefit insurance, Medicash cash plan, pension scheme enrolment, personal accident insurance, school fee remission, cycle‑to‑work scheme, lunch, sports facilities and counselling.

Training & Development:

Attend INSET training and other safety training (Fire Marshal, First Aider) as required. Complete online training for regulatory compliance.

Equal Opportunities:

The policy of Hampton School Trust is to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals and to prohibit discrimination on any protected basis. All appointments are subject to the Recruitment, Selection and Disclosure Policy and Procedure. If special access arrangements are required for interviews, please inform us.

Legal & Safeguarding:

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK; sponsorship is not available. The role involves working with children; applicants barred from regulated activities involving children will not be considered. The post holder’s responsibility for safeguarding children involves adherence to the Trust’s Safeguarding Policy and Procedures.

Other Information:

The post holder may receive tasks from the Deputy Head (Academic), Headmaster or Bursar in addition to the responsibilities listed above. Health and safety training, including First Aid, will be provided. For further policy details, see the school’s website.