Business Support Assistant - Reception in Southampton

The Governors are seeking to appoint a motivated and enthusiastic Business Support Assistant - Reception. The successful candidate, reporting to the Business Support Manager, will be responsible for providing reception and administrative services to support the teaching and learning of the school. As a school receptionist, you serve as the first impression for students, parents, and visitors. This role allows you to create a welcoming and professional environment, ensuring that everyone feels valued and supported when they enter our school.

If you are a Catholic, you will understand the distinctiveness of Catholic schools such as Oaklands, and this will be attractive to you. You do not have to be a Catholic to work at Oaklands; the Governors welcome applications from candidates of differing faith backgrounds or none who can be supportive of the school ethos.

• Customer Service: Promote the image of the school in all contact with the outside world. Act as the first point of contact for general parent/student/visitor enquiries, responding within standard procedures or referring the enquiry to an appropriate destination. Perform reception duties in an efficient, professional and courteous manner. Operate the main switchboard and refer enquiries to the appropriate destination. Ensure all visitors comply with safeguarding guidelines and have the appropriate ID/DBS etc checks where appropriate.
• Administration: Operate and have responsibility for a variety of standard office machines including a personal computer, signing in machine, franking machine and badge machine. Order reception resources as required to include inventory rolls, stamps, signing in machine cards etc. Enable WiFi connection to external visitors. Oversee the collection of returned parcels as instructed by the budget holder. Be point of contact for student exam certification collection in accordance with guidelines. Tidy and maintain reception area. Annual re-organisation of staff pigeonholes. Produce admin packs at the beginning of the academic year for the Business Support Team. Collection of exam paperwork as instructed by the exams officer. Provide basic absence cover to attendance as required. Basic administration support to the Careers Lead; data inputting, making/confirming appointments and calls, sending emails. Basic administration support to DOE leaders, data inputting, booking camp, booking transport, sending emails and message reminders etc. The duties above are neither exclusive nor exhaustive and the post holder may be required to carry out appropriate duties within the context of the job, skills and grade.

• Essential: GCSE (or equivalent) in English and Maths. Good organisational skills. Good time management skills. Skilled at paying attention to accuracy and detail. Excellent interpersonal skills, verbal and written. Ability to form and maintain appropriate relationships and personal boundaries with children and young people. Values and respects the views and the needs of children and young people. Displays commitment to the protection and safeguarding of children and young people. Ability to work in a Catholic School, sensitive to the ethos. Excellent communication skills. Ability to work under pressure. Stamina, initiative and resilience. Confidentiality and discretion. Good Health. Strong commitment to teamwork and partnership.
• Desirable: Previous experience in a similar role. Experience of working in an educational establishment (mixed comprehensive school). Experience of developing positive relationships with a range of different students. Excellent I.T skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel and Teams. Previous experience of working with schools' SIMS system. Previous experience of working with schools' ClassCharts. Understanding of the school's role in the Community. Understanding of the core purpose of Oaklands Catholic School and Sixth Form College. Ability to forge and maintain good relationships with staff and students. Sense of humour. Willingness to train as Fire Warden/First Aider.

Please note all staff will be required to complete and obtain a clear Enhanced DBS. All applicants must evidence Right to Work. Closing date: Sunday 28th June 2026 5pm. Interviews: Week commencing 1st July 2026. Please note that once you have applied for the role you will be sent an email with an application form to fill in. This form will need to be fully completed and returned for your application to be considered. Please click the APPLY to submit your application for this role and you will be sent an email with application forms to complete. Candidates with experience of Business Admin Assistant, Office Administrator, Administrator, Customer Support, Customer Service Administrator, Administration Clerk, Education Administrative Assistant, Business Support, may also be considered for this role.