At a Glance
- Tasks: Assist in booking workshops and support educational events for schools and communities.
- Company: Join The National Archives, a historic institution with a vibrant future.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, and opportunities for personal development.
- Other info: Flexible working days and a chance to engage with diverse audiences.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team making history accessible to everyone.
- Qualifications: Experience with booking systems and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 28100 - 28100 € per year.
As the living, growing home of our national story, The National Archives is already a special place to work. We’re an institution nearly 200 years old with a collection spanning 1,000 years of history. In our strategic vision: Archives for Everyone, we set ourselves the challenge of becoming the 21st Century national archive - a different kind of cultural and heritage institution: Inclusive, Entrepreneurial, Disruptive.
Job Overview
- Salary: £28,100 per annum, pro rata
- Part time: 2 days per week
- Contract type: Permanent
- Band: C / Administrative Officer
- Closing date: Friday 29th May 2026 at midnight
Would you like to work in an exciting and dynamic team, helping school children, families, young people and communities to engage with our archival documents through workshops, live broadcasts and creative projects? The Education and Outreach Department is looking for a Bookings Assistant to join the team for two days per week. We need an enthusiastic, well-organised and flexible colleague to join us. Working closely with the Projects Officer, Education Manager and the teaching team, the postholder will answer enquiries and process the bookings for our schools’ workshop programme. They will also help to support the work of other teams across the department by arranging meetings and room bookings, helping colleagues to set up/ clear away before and after events, and assisting with the administration of the Work Experience programme.
We are looking for someone to work 2 days per week onsite at The National Archives (TNA). The days are subject to discussion with the role’s line manager, but would need to include either Tuesday & Thursday, or Wednesday & Thursday. This role requires on site presence and is not suitable for home working.
Application Process
- Interview: Interviews will be held on-site, ideally week commencing 15th June 2026. Candidates invited to interview will also take a written test.
- Personal Statement: We ask all applicants to submit work history details and a personal statement, not exceeding 1200 words.
Selection for interview will be based on the essential criteria below so please ensure that your application demonstrates in detail how you meet each of these requirements:
- Experience of using a booking system to schedule workshops, classes or events
- Ability to respond proactively to situations, to be flexible and to look for solutions to potential challenges/ problems.
- Confident communicator, with good interpersonal skills.
- Experience of dealing with the general public.
- Well organised with the ability to meet deadlines, whether working independently or as part of a team.
- Excellent attention to detail.
- Team player with demonstrable initiative and a willingness to learn.
Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified, applications may be withdrawn.
Job Purpose
The Bookings Assistant will work under the direction of the Projects Officer to provide workshop booking administration for the schools’ programme and support for Onsite Education team. This post requires the ability to work flexibly, to manage multiple tasks simultaneously in a fast-moving environment. Excellent attention to detail, strong organisation and team-working skills are essential.
Role and Responsibilities
- To update the Eventbrite booking system and process bookings by updating the workshops’ calendar.
- To follow up on school bookings where necessary, to provide additional supporting materials and relevant information to schools.
- To ensure that all relevant paperwork is completed in advance of school workshops.
- To respond to initial enquiries from schools.
- To send out post-workshop evaluation to schools.
- To keep up to date with new additions to the education programme, to provide accurate information to schools.
- To support Education Officers with the collection and return of documents before and after workshops.
- To support Education Officers in setting up/ tidying away workshop materials when required.
- To help maintain required teaching resources in the learning spaces.
- To provide essential support to teams across the department.
- To support with work experience placements.
- To support Head of Education and Outreach in preparing materials and resources for external events.
- To support the Family and YPP Officer setting up/ tidying away of session materials for Craft Club, when required.
- Arranging meetings and room bookings for teams.
- To provide occasional tours of TNA for visitors/work experience placements.
- To communicate with other teams and departments across TNA.
- To liaise with Venues about school visits, to set up visitor passes and arrange parking.
Working Conditions
Normal office environment. Display Screen Equipment user.
Person Specification
Essential- Experience of using a booking system to schedule workshops, classes or events.
- Ability to respond proactively to situations, to be flexible and to look for solutions to potential challenges/ problems.
- Confident communicator, with good interpersonal skills.
- Experience of dealing with the general public.
- Well organised with the ability to meet deadlines, whether working independently or as part of a team.
- Excellent attention to detail.
- Team player with demonstrable initiative and a willingness to learn.
- Interest in history, and use of archives in education.
Benefits
Generous benefits package, including pension, sports and social club facilities, onsite gym, discounted rates at our on-site cafe and opportunities for training and development. Annual leave entitlement of 22 days per calendar year (rising to 25 after the first year, and incrementally to 30 days after six years) and 10½ days public and privilege holidays per annum.
Reasonable adjustments: If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
Security: Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.
Nationality requirements: This job is broadly open to UK nationals, nationals of the Republic of Ireland, nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK, and nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein.
Contact point for applicants: Name: The National Archives Recruitment Team Email: careers@nationalarchives.gov.uk
Bookings Assistant employer: The National Archives
The National Archives is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to work in a historic institution dedicated to preserving and sharing the nation's story. With a strong commitment to employee development, a generous benefits package, and a vibrant work culture that values inclusivity and innovation, you will be part of a dynamic team making a meaningful impact on education and community engagement. Located in a culturally rich environment, this role as a Bookings Assistant allows you to contribute to exciting projects while enjoying a supportive atmosphere that encourages personal and professional growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Bookings Assistant
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the team and the culture at The National Archives. Follow them on social media, engage with their posts, and attend any public events if you can. This shows your genuine interest and helps you understand what they value.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to bookings and customer service. Think about how you can demonstrate your proactive problem-solving skills and flexibility in past experiences.
✨Tip Number 3
When you get the chance to interview, don’t just answer questions—ask some too! Inquire about the team dynamics or upcoming projects. This shows you’re not only interested in the role but also in contributing to their vision.
✨Tip Number 4
Finally, apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, you’ll find all the latest updates and opportunities right there.
We think you need these skills to ace Bookings Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your experience with booking systems in your personal statement. We want to see how you've successfully scheduled workshops or events before, so give us the details!
Be Proactive and Flexible:In your application, share examples of how you've tackled challenges head-on. We love candidates who can think on their feet and adapt to changing situations, so let us know how you’ve done this in the past.
Communicate Clearly:Since this role involves interacting with the public, it's crucial to demonstrate your communication skills. Use clear and concise language in your application to show us you're a confident communicator.
Pay Attention to Detail:We’re looking for someone who’s organised and detail-oriented. Make sure your application is free from typos and clearly structured. This will show us that you can handle the meticulous nature of the role!
How to prepare for a job interview at The National Archives
✨Know Your Booking Systems
Make sure you’re familiar with the booking systems used for scheduling workshops and events. Brush up on how to navigate them efficiently, as this will likely come up during your interview. Being able to demonstrate your experience with similar systems will show that you’re ready to hit the ground running.
✨Show Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples of how you've proactively tackled challenges in previous roles. The interviewers will want to see that you can think on your feet and adapt to changing situations. Think of specific instances where you found solutions to problems, especially in a busy environment.
✨Communicate Confidently
As a Bookings Assistant, you'll be interacting with schools and the public. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. You might even want to role-play common scenarios with a friend to get comfortable with potential questions about communication and interpersonal skills.
✨Demonstrate Your Organisational Skills
Be ready to discuss how you manage multiple tasks and deadlines. Bring examples of how you’ve kept things organised in past roles, whether it’s through checklists, calendars, or other methods. This will highlight your ability to stay on top of things in a fast-paced environment.
