Prep School Administrator / Receptionist

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Salary: £13,956 per annum

Hours: 5.75 hours per day, 28.75 hours per week during Ipswich School term time only

Type: Permanent

Reference: 0101

Start: Required as soon as possible

Ipswich Preparatory School, for pupils aged 5 – 11, is the primary aged stage of Ipswich School and has close links with the Senior School. There are two classes per year group, from Reception to Year 6, and a day care nursery (The Lodge) that caters for approximately 100 children aged 3 months until they join Reception.

We are looking for a professional and friendly receptionist on a part-time basis in the Prep School Office, equipped with excellent customer service skills. You will provide a warm welcome to children, prospective and existing parents, visitors to the school, as well as colleagues from the Senior School and The Lodge Day Nursery, both face-to-face and on the telephone. The ability to remain calm, retain active listening skills, and multitask is essential.

This post is open to a receptionist with experience in a similar customer-facing role or to someone who enjoys working with children and is looking to develop receptionist skills in a school environment. You will be able to interact easily with young children, parents, visitors, teaching, and support staff.

Hours of work: 8:15 am – 2:00 pm Monday to Friday during Ipswich School term time only. This totals 5.75 hours per day, 28.75 hours per week.

Support staff are expected to attend INSET days to complete statutory training (such as first aid, fire safety, and safeguarding) as required, classified as term time days.

The salary for this post is currently £13,956.45 per annum, including paid holiday in accordance with the Working Time Regulations. Salaries are paid monthly in arrears by BACS on the last working day of each month and reviewed annually in April or September.

Staff can use the school’s swimming pool and fitness gym (in compliance with appropriate rules and regulations). Free lunch is provided in the Senior School Dining Hall during term time when the kitchen is operational.

After 3 months’ service, you will be entitled to join a defined contribution pension scheme with 10% employer contributions. Staff can access an employee assistance program, mental health support, 24/7 GP service, and a Cycle to Work Scheme. Support staff are entitled to generous fee remission after completing 3 years’ service.

Completed application forms are available from: www.ipswich.school/vacancies or by calling the HR team on 01473 408300 and should be returned to Claire Jackson, Head of Prep, Ipswich Preparatory School, 3 Ivry Street, Ipswich, IP1 3QW or by email to: hr@ipswich.school.

Closing date: midday, 24 March 2025.

Interview date: 28 March 2025.

Tours of the school are welcome, and candidates are encouraged to contact Charlie Clark, Head’s PA, to make an appointment on: prepsec@ipswich.school.

Please advise us of any special requirements you may have if you are called for an interview. If your special requirements mean that you need to submit this application in a different format, please contact us.

Ipswich School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. Having a criminal record will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining the position.

The Ipswich School policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders and the Code of Practice relating to the Disclosure and Barring Service are available on request. Employees are responsible for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of the children and young people they are responsible for or come into contact with. The post holder must adhere to and ensure compliance with the School’s Child Protection and Safeguarding Children Policy at all times.

If, in the course of carrying out his/her duties, the post holder becomes aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety or welfare of children in the school, he/she must report any concerns to the School’s Designated Safeguarding Lead. Employees are expected to attend training in safeguarding children as directed.

In the interests of the health and safety of all its pupils and employees, Ipswich School operates a No Smoking Policy and employees are expected to comply with the statutory restriction on smoking in public places.