At a Glance
- Tasks: Welcome students and visitors, manage enquiries, and ensure a safe environment.
- Company: Join Orchard Hill College, an Outstanding Specialist College dedicated to empowering diverse learners.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, pension schemes, employee discounts, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Pathways for progression in a supportive and inclusive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of students while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Customer service experience and teamwork skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 25278 - 28371 £ per year.
Salary: Actual £25,278- £28,371 per annum (FTE £31,977 - £35,890 per annum) inclusive of London Weighting Allowance
Working Pattern: 36 hours per week, Term Time Only
Orchard Hill College is an Outstanding Specialist College (Ofsted, April 2025) offering life‑changing learning opportunities to young people and adults with a range of special education needs and/or disabilities. We operate vibrant community‑based College Centres across London and Surrey, where committed specialist teams deliver a variety of programmes designed to meet the diverse needs of our students. Students who study with us have a wide range of needs including profound and multiple learning disabilities, communication and behavioural difficulties and specific medical needs. All students are individual, and their learning programme is designed to support and empower them to achieve their aspirations and goals, whilst developing skills to become more independent members of their community.
We are currently seeking a dedicated and enthusiastic admin support to join our team and maintain a welcoming reception area.
Key Responsibilities- Greet and deal with enquiries via the centre reception from all students, staff and visitors in a polite, friendly, professional manner.
- Coordinate safe entrance and exits of all students, staff and visitors, at all entrance doors ensuring they are signed in and out and that no unauthorized person gains access.
- Follow safeguarding procedures on reception, including check ID’s of taxi drivers/escorts, check identification, escort and transport arrangements/details.
- Deal with enquiries relating to matters connected with the day to day running of the College, including liaising with other college sites.
- Use and input Student information onto the College MIS.
- Experience of working within a team.
- Proven experience of customer service skills.
- Proven experience of working under pressure.
- Pathways for progression within the trust, ensuring you can grow and thrive in a supportive and inclusive environment.
- Pension Scheme – you will be enrolled in either the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) or the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS), both offering life cover and financial protection for your family.
- Salary Sacrifice Schemes (Cycle Scheme, Employee Car Lease Scheme and Home Electronics Scheme).
- Employee Wellbeing – We support employee wellbeing with access to counselling, mental health support, generous leave, flexible working, and enhanced parental leave including Employee Assistance Programme, MyGym Discounts, Corporate Eyecare Scheme.
- Employee Discounts (Blue Light Card, Costco Membership, Discounts for Teachers, and more).
- Other (Season Ticket Loan and Employee Referral Scheme).
Applications Closing Date: 6th July 2026
Interviews will take place on: 14th July 2026
To help us manage applications effectively, we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if sufficient suitable applications are received.
Safeguarding Statement: Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Appointments made will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020. Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer, committed to creating an inclusive and supportive workplace for all. We are committed to promoting and advancing equality of opportunity by attracting and retaining the most diverse range of students, staff and partners.
Contact Details:
Orchard Hill College & Academy Trust Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Centre Reception and Administrative Officer in London
✨Get to Know the Company Culture
Before jumping into applications, it’s super helpful to understand the vibe at Orchard Hill College & Academy Trust. Check out their social media, read reviews on sites like Glassdoor, and see how they engage with customers. It'll give you clues on their values and help tailor your conversation during interviews.
✨Join Customer Support Communities
Dive into online communities like those on Reddit or LinkedIn where customer support pros hang out. Participating in discussions or asking questions can make you more visible to potential recruiters and help you learn about job openings at companies like Orchard Hill College & Academy Trust before they even post them.
✨Attend Job Fairs or Networking Events
Look out for local job fairs or events specifically for customer support roles. This is your chance to meet hiring managers face-to-face, and you might even get the opportunity to interview on the spot!
✨Show Off Your Skills with Customer Interactions
In the customer support world, showcasing your communication skills is key. Consider creating a short video introducing yourself or even doing a mock call to showcase your abilities. It's a memorable way to stand out, especially if you can share this during your interview process!
We think you need these skills to ace Centre Reception and Administrative Officer in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Communication Skills:In customer support, clear communication is key. Make sure your CV highlights any experience you've had in customer-facing roles and your ability to resolve issues. Don't shy away from including specific examples of how you've gone above and beyond to help customers – this really shows your potential in the role.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Orchard Hill College & Academy Trust:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Tell us why you want to work at Orchard Hill College & Academy Trust specifically. Mention any unique aspects of our company that resonate with you and how your skills can enhance our customer support. This personal touch will set your application apart from the rest!
Highlight Any Relevant Tools or Tech Skills:If you've used customer support software like Zendesk or Freshdesk or have experience with CRM systems, make sure to mention these in your application. Being familiar with industry-standard tools can be a big plus for us when we’re reviewing applications, as it shows you can hit the ground running!
Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Skills:Customer support roles often require a knack for problem-solving. In your application, share examples of past experiences where you've tackled tough situations or resolved conflicts effectively. This will give us a good sense of how you handle challenges—an essential skill for success at Orchard Hill College & Academy Trust!
How to prepare for a job interview at Orchard Hill College & Academy Trust
✨Show Off Your People Skills
In customer support, it's all about communicating effectively. Prepare to share instances from your past experiences where you handled difficult customers or resolved conflicts. We want to hear how you empathised and found the best solutions, so think of specific examples to back up your stories!
✨Know the Tools of the Trade
Familiarise yourself with common customer support tools like Zendesk or Freshdesk, and make sure to review how you’ve used any similar systems in the past. During the interview, being able to discuss your hands-on experience with software or ticketing systems can really set you apart from the competition, so don’t skip this prep!
✨Show Genuine Enthusiasm
As this is a full-time role, employers want someone who isn’t just looking for any job, but wants to grow within customer support. Make sure to express your enthusiasm for helping customers and your desire to develop your skills. Show them why you're passionate about this field!
✨Practice Common Scenarios
Be prepared for role-playing scenarios where you might have to reassess a solution with a frustrated customer or explain a complex process in simple terms. Practising these common scenarios can help us feel more confident and demonstrate our practical skills effectively during the interview.
