School Secretary (part time) in Reading

Overview

Are you an organised, friendly and professional administrator who enjoys working with people and making a difference every day?

The Keys Academy Trust is looking for an enthusiastic School Secretary to become the welcoming face of one of our schools. This is a varied and rewarding role at the heart of the school community, where no two days are the same. You'll provide high-quality administrative and reception support, helping pupils, families, staff and visitors while ensuring the school office operates efficiently and professionally.

Working closely with the Operations Manager and Senior Leadership Team, you'll play a key role in creating a positive first impression for everyone who visits or contacts the school and will help ensure the smooth day-to-day running of school life.

This role will be across Polehampton CE Junior School and Polehampton CE Infant and Nursery School, as part of your overall employment at The Keys Academy Trust.

Role overview

As School Secretary, you will be responsible for delivering efficient, friendly and professional administrative support across a wide range of school functions. From welcoming visitors and managing communications to maintaining pupil records, supporting admissions and coordinating school events, you'll ensure the school office remains organised, responsive and welcoming.

This is an exciting opportunity to become a valued member of a supportive team while developing your skills across school administration, customer service and operational support within a successful and growing Multi Academy Trust.

Key responsibilities

• Acting as the first point of contact for parents, visitors, pupils and external agencies, providing an exceptional customer experience.
• Managing the school reception, telephone enquiries, emails and visitor procedures in line with safeguarding requirements.
• Producing correspondence, maintaining pupil records and supporting admissions administration.
• Managing attendance processes, registers and pupil information using the school's management information systems.
• Coordinating school communications, newsletters, letters and social media updates.
• Organising bookings for clubs, wraparound care, educational visits, parents' evenings and other school events.
• Supporting nursery and wraparound care administration and enquiries.
• Maintaining office systems, calendars, filing and administrative records.
• Supporting first aid administration and maintaining medical records.
• Working collaboratively with colleagues across the school and Trust to continually improve office systems and customer service.
• Providing general administrative support to the Operations Manager, Senior Leadership Team and wider school community.

About you

You're welcoming, organised and enjoy helping people. You take pride in delivering excellent customer service and understand that the school office is often the first impression families have of the school. You communicate confidently with a wide range of people, remain calm under pressure and can manage multiple priorities with professionalism and attention to detail.

You enjoy working as part of a team but are equally confident working independently and using your initiative to solve problems. You're organised, reliable and understand the importance of confidentiality when handling sensitive information.

Most importantly, you're passionate about supporting children and families and want to play an important role in helping a school community flourish. You share our values, embrace continuous improvement and are excited to contribute to the success of The Keys Academy Trust.

Requirements

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills (Essential)
• Excellent organisational skills with strong attention to detail (Essential)
• Outstanding customer service skills and a friendly, professional manner (Essential)
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage competing priorities (Essential)
• Ability to use Microsoft Office and digital systems confidently (Essential)
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information appropriately (Essential)
• GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and Maths (Essential)
• Previous experience in an administrative, reception or customer service role (Desirable)
• Experience of working in a school or education environment (Desirable)
• First Aid qualification or willingness to undertake training (Desirable)

What's in it for you?

• Career development opportunities within a growing Multi Academy Trust.
• High-quality professional development and ongoing training.
• A supportive, welcoming and collaborative team environment.
• The opportunity to build rewarding relationships with pupils, families and colleagues.
• Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme.
• The chance to make a genuine difference to the daily experience of children and families within your local community.

At The Keys Academy Trust, everything we do is underpinned by our values and our commitment to the Seven Principles of Public Life (the Nolan Principles): selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all staff to share this commitment.

We are an Equal Opportunities employer and welcome applicationswithout regard to race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other legally protected status.

The Keys Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants must be willing to undergo checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service enhanced criminal records check.