At a Glance
- Tasks: Be the welcoming face of our school and manage front-office operations.
- Company: A vibrant secondary school in Barking with a strong community spirit.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, pension scheme, training, and wellbeing programs.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Join a supportive team and make a positive impact on students and visitors.
- Qualifications: Experience in customer service or admin roles; strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
A welcoming, dynamic secondary school in the heart of Barking is seeking a poised, customer-focused, and highly organized School Receptionist & Administrative Assistant to join their vital operational support team. As the primary face and voice of the school, you will deliver an outstanding first impression to parents, visitors, students, and staff while keeping day-to-day front-office operations running seamlessly.
About the Role
In this dual-focused position, you will serve as the school’s central ambassador and administrative hub. Managing the lively front-of-house desk, coordinating visitor protocols, managing incoming communications, and delivering robust clerical support across school departments, you will play an essential role in maintaining a safe, efficient, and professional school environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Front-of-House Excellence: Serve as the primary point of contact for all visitors, parents, contractors, and agency staff; execute rigorous safeguarding checks and sign-in procedures.
- Communication Management: Filter and route incoming calls, manage general school inbox enquiries professionally, and distribute messages and postal deliveries efficiently.
- Student & Attendance Support: Assist with pupil front-desk enquiries, log late arrivals or early departures on the Management Information System (MIS), and liaise with pastoral teams.
- Operational & Clerical Services: Provide high-quality administrative support across school faculties, including word processing, data entry, reprographics, filing, and mailings.
- Visitor & Event Support: Coordinate meeting room bookings, prepare welcoming hospitality setups for external guests, and assist with administrative prep for school events and open evenings.
Requirements
- Proven experience in a busy front-of-house, customer service, or administrative support role (experience within an educational, public sector, or corporate environment is highly desirable).
- Strong working knowledge of standard office software (Microsoft Office suite, Google Workspace); familiarity with school MIS software (e.g., SIMS, Bromcom, Arbor) is an advantage.
- Excellent interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with a welcoming, confident, and professional telephone manner.
- High organizational dexterity, exceptional attention to detail, and the ability to prioritize tasks calmly under pressure in a bustling environment.
- Understanding of safeguarding principles and strict adherence to data protection (GDPR) and confidentiality standards.
Salary & Benefits
Pay Scale: Outer London Support Staff Scale (Grade 3/4 depending on experience, pro-rata for term-time only). Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), structured on-the-job training, professional development opportunities, and access to employee wellbeing programs.
Receptionist/Admin Assistant | Secondary School In Barking employer: Marchant Recruitment
This welcoming Primary School in the London Borough of Sutton is an excellent employer, offering a nurturing and inclusive environment where staff are supported by strong leadership and collaborative relationships. With a commitment to professional development and a focus on creating a positive atmosphere for both employees and students, this role as Office Manager provides a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children and their families while enjoying a fulfilling career in education.
