Job Description
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Receptionist - immediate start
Mersea Island School is committed to creating a diverse workforce. We will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to sex, race, religion, belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy, maternity, age, disability, marriage or civil partnership.
Job details
Salary: Band 1 point 2
Hours: 37, term time only + 5 INSET days
Contract type: Permanent 39 weeks per year
Reporting to: School Business Manager
Main purpose
We are looking for a friendly and professional receptionist who will be the initial point of contact for parents, visitors and all other stakeholders. The person will need to have excellent interpersonal skills and embody the core values, vision and ethos of the school in all interactions.
Duties and responsibilities
General administration
- Update manual and computerised record/information systems
- Update and maintain the school calendar
- Manage and organise completed forms from parents
- Report any issues with the school's IT systems, photocopiers and printers
- Organise and distribute incoming and outgoing post
- Provide administrative support to staff as needed
- Monitor and manage stock
- Carry out filing, printing and photocopying
- Assist with parents' evenings and other meetings and events
- Keep records in accordance with the school's record retention schedule and data protection law, ensuring information security and confidentiality at all times
- Maintain excellent communication with parents and stakeholders regarding diarised events
- Administer first aid and oversee medication
- Ensure all safeguarding policies and procedures are consistently followed
Attendance administration
- Monitor and maintain an accurate record of pupil attendance, reporting to the school Attendance Officer
- Monitor the late arrival of pupils and contact parents/carers to identify reasons for non-attendance, ensuring all safeguarding procedures are followed
Reception
- Act as the first point of contact for parents and visitors arriving at the school
- Deal with telephone and face-to-face enquiries efficiently and in a professional and supportive manner
- Seek support from other colleagues where necessary to respond to complex enquiries
- Respond to messages promptly and accurately, passing on information to relevant staff members as necessary
- Assist staff, pupils and parents with the information and support they need
Security
- Control access to the school in line with the school's safeguarding procedures, including signing-in visitors, checking identification as necessary, issuing lanyards and notifying them of safeguarding and safety procedures
- Be alert to unknown individuals on the school premises and report any concerns in line with the school's procedures
- Follow the schools fire, evacuation and lockdown procedures
Written communication
- Write and send email responses that are professional and uphold the school's vision and values
- Update and distribute online and offline communications (e.g. letters, newsletters) to parents, staff and other stakeholders
- Assist with marketing and promoting the school
Other areas of responsibility
- Read and follow the relevant school policies
- Undertake training required to develop in the role
- Ensure all duties and responsibilities are undertaken in line with the school's health and safety policy
- Share the school's commitment to safeguarding and protecting children from harm
Information about the School
Mersea Island School currently has 380 pupils aged 2-11, this includes a nursery with capacity for up to 48 children. It is the only school on the island, serving a closely knit community. The school is located on Mersea Island, off the coast of Essex and close to Colchester. The area surrounding the school in the town of West Mersea is semi-rural. The island is famous for its oyster cultivation and traditional fishing boats, and has a history of sailing. Pupils derive from a very mixed social background, and many of the pupils have parents and grandparents who attended the school.