Administrator/Receptionist

We are looking for an administrator to join our office team at Harris Primary Academy Orpington.

About Us

Our aim is to provide our pupils with a well-rounded and enjoyable education that ensures each child succeeds academically, physically and emotionally - preparing them for life in an ever-changing world. We have identified six shared values, which we develop with the children throughout the academic year: Respect, Unity, Cooperation, Aspiration, Responsibility and Integrity.

They are our foundations and we have a clear expectation that all adults as well as children and staff model and respect these values both inside and outside the academy. These foundations have enabled us to build high quality, inspiring education for our children. This is reflected in both the exceptional day to day practice here as well as the improving outcomes our children have achieved in each year.

Our knowledge rich curriculum has been designed to challenge and inspire the children; exposing them to a wide variety of exciting experiences including visits, events, sports, music and drama but also time to reflect and respond. As a result, our children develop excellent behaviour and social skills while they learn.

We are extremely proud to be part of the Harris Federation, which combines 52 primary, secondary and all-through academies across London. As part of a thriving community of schools we benefit from the ability to share, learn, support and challenge each other as we grow together.

Main Areas of Responsibility

Your responsibilities will include:

• To present the professional and welcoming face of the Academy to all visitors, staff and students, including telephone callers.
• To ensure all visitors are signed in to the academy in accordance with safeguarding procedures.
• To respond to queries from parents/carers and the general public with exemplary professionalism, ensuring that any messages or complaints are immediately dealt with, forwarded to the appropriate member of staff or escalated as required.
• To ensure the overall appearance of the reception area is tidy, professional and presentable at all times.
• General administrative duties such as typing, photocopying, filing, collation and distribution of post.
• In liaison with appropriate academy staff, to contribute to the maintenance of academy information databases and filing systems relating to pupils, ensuring confidentiality is observed at all times and records are accurate and up to date.
• To assist academy staff in all aspects of academy life, including contacting parents and pupils where necessary.
• To provide general administrative support to the academy as required, including preparation of documentation, and administrative duties relating to specific areas such as academy calendar maintenance, extra-curricular activities, school trips, school meal arrangements.
• To be a key point of contact for the Academy's uniform supplier.
• To deal with complex reception/visitor etc. matters
• To provide administrative support to the academy Education Welfare officer
• To organise school trips/events, etc.
• To coordinate the administration of pupil admissions and leavers
• To coordinate the administration of Free School Meals
• To manage manual and computerised record/information systems
• To analyse and evaluate data/information and produce reports/information/data as required
• To provide administration support to the safeguarding team
• To operate relevant equipment/complex ICT packages
• To monitor and manage stock within an agreed budget, cataloguing resources and undertaking audits as required

Qualifications & Experience

The successful candidate will have:

• Qualifications to GCSE level or equivalent (ideally to A level)
• Competency in the use of Microsoft Office packages
• Proficiency in the use of computers and databases
• Previous experience in an administrative or front office/reception role
• Demonstrable customer service experience

Experience of working in a school or educational establishment is desirable.

Next Steps

If you have any questions about this opportunity, please send us an email, or call to arrange a conversation.

Before applying, please download the Job Pack for full details on the job responsibilities and person specification. This will be helpful for you when completing your application, and throughout the recruitment process.

We encourage you to apply as soon as possible as we may interview and offer to a candidate before the closing date. Please note that we only accept applications submitted before the closing date via our careers website.

Professional Development & Benefits

Our people are at the heart of our success. We have developed a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of top-quality training programmes delivered at every level.

In addition to the opportunities for career development and progression, we also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package which includes a Performance and Loyalty Bonus, Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions, a Wellbeing Cash Plan including access to a virtual GP, electric car scheme, 26 days' annual leave (plus bank holidays) for staff who work across the full year, and many other benefits. Learn more about our benefits on our website.

Safeguarding Notice

The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed.

Equal Opportunities

The Harris Federation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

We value the diversity of our staff and students, and everyone at the Harris Federation is equally valued and respected. We aim to be an inclusive employer that reflects the communities we serve. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment.