At a Glance
- Tasks: Support school admissions, guide families, and maintain accurate records.
- Company: Reading Borough Council, dedicated to community service and inclusivity.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, flexible working, pension scheme, and life assurance.
- Other info: Join a supportive team with opportunities for growth and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's education while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Customer service experience and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 36000 £ per year.
30 hours, 12 months fixed term contract. At Reading Borough Council, we are committed to providing high quality services that make a real difference to families across our community. Our School Admissions Team plays a vital part in ensuring fair, efficient and well managed access to education for children across the borough.
We are now looking for a motivated and customer focused School Admissions Assistant to join our busy team and help deliver an excellent service to parents, carers, schools and partner organisations. We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.
About the role
In this role, you will support the smooth running of school admissions across the borough. You will be responsible for keeping essential records accurate, guiding families through the admissions process, and ensuring all statutory deadlines are met.
Your work will include:
- Administering school admission arrangements in line with statutory legislation and Council policy.
- Entering, verifying and maintaining accurate data within the School Admissions System.
- Preparing allocation reports and keeping schools updated with outcomes.
- Responding to enquiries by phone, email and face to face, offering clear, professional and empathetic advice.
- Supporting parents and carers through sometimes challenging or sensitive discussions regarding their application outcomes.
You will also collaborate closely with internal teams such as SEND, School Transport, Early Years and Social Care, ensuring a joined up approach to supporting children and families.
About you
You will be someone who thrives in a fast paced environment, enjoys working with the public and takes pride in delivering accurate, high quality administrative work. You will bring strong communication skills and the ability to remain calm and reassuring when helping families navigate important decisions.
We are looking for someone with:
- Experience working in a customer facing role within a professional environment.
- Previous experience in a busy office setting, ideally within education or a legislation governed sector.
- Strong ICT skills and confidence using multiple systems.
- Excellent written skills and attention to detail when preparing letters, emails and documents.
- The ability to handle conflict with empathy, assertiveness and understanding.
It would also be beneficial (but not essential) if you have an understanding of safeguarding principles or experience interpreting data and figures. Full training on school admissions processes will be provided.
You will be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you will also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.
Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:
- Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do.
- Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential.
- Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way.
- Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed.
Our offer
We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you will get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.
A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:
- Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 30 days after 5 years' service and 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave.
- A wide range of flexible working opportunities.
- Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading.
- Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
- Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS).
- On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted.
- Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work.
- Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax.
Closing Date: Sunday 8th March
Interview Date: Wednesday 25th March
Interview Process: To be confirmed.
School Admissions Assistant in Reading employer: Reading Borough Council
Reading Borough Council is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and development of its staff while making a significant impact on the community. With a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, the Council fosters a collaborative work culture where innovation is encouraged, and employees are supported in their professional growth. Located in the heart of Reading, employees benefit from a modern working environment, generous holiday entitlements, flexible working opportunities, and access to a range of employee benefits, including a Local Government Pension Scheme and on-site childcare facilities.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land School Admissions Assistant in Reading
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the School Admissions Team! Research their values and recent projects. This will help you tailor your approach during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference in Reading.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your communication skills! Since you'll be dealing with families and schools, role-play common scenarios with friends or family. This will help you stay calm and professional when discussing sensitive topics.
✨Tip Number 3
Network like a pro! Connect with current or former employees on LinkedIn. They can provide insider tips about the interview process and what it’s really like to work in the School Admissions Team.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and contributing to the community.
We think you need these skills to ace School Admissions Assistant in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role of School Admissions Assistant. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Show Off Your Communication Skills:Since this role involves a lot of interaction with families and schools, it's crucial to demonstrate your strong written communication skills. Keep your application clear, professional, and friendly – just like how we want our team to communicate!
Be Detail-Oriented:Attention to detail is key in this role, especially when it comes to maintaining accurate records and preparing documents. Double-check your application for any typos or errors before hitting send – we want to see that you take pride in your work!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows that you're keen on joining our team at Reading Borough Council!
How to prepare for a job interview at Reading Borough Council
✨Know the Role Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a School Admissions Assistant. Familiarise yourself with the admissions process, statutory legislation, and the importance of accurate record-keeping. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Customer Service Skills
Since this role involves interacting with parents and carers, be prepared to discuss your experience in customer-facing roles. Think of specific examples where you've provided excellent service, handled difficult situations, or communicated effectively. This will demonstrate your ability to empathise and support families through the admissions process.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess how you would handle real-life situations, such as dealing with upset parents or managing conflicting deadlines. Practice your responses by thinking through potential scenarios and how you would approach them with empathy and professionalism. This will show your problem-solving skills and calm demeanour under pressure.
✨Highlight Your Teamwork Abilities
Collaboration is key in this role, so be ready to discuss how you've worked effectively within a team in the past. Share examples of how you've contributed to team goals, supported colleagues, or engaged with other departments. This will illustrate your commitment to working together to make a difference in the community.
