Receptionist and Administrative Assistant

We are looking for a highly organised and resourceful Receptionist and Administrative Assistant to join our office team at Harris Primary Academy Shortlands.

Your opportunity

The purpose of your role will be:

• To assist in the management of the reception area as well as providing administrative support in order to contribute to the smooth running of the academy. 
• 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 into 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. 
• 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 typing, photocopying, filing, collation and distribution of post, preparation of documentation, and administrative duties relating to specific areas such as academy calendar maintenance, extra-curricular activities, school trips, school meal arrangements.

As part of Harris, you will join a community of staff dedicated to transforming education in London. With a multitude of progression routes  and outstanding CPD for support staff, expect to be supported throughout your career.

What we are looking for

We look for talented individuals who want to be a part of transforming education in London, and helping create exceptional places of learning. The successful candidate will:

• Be educated to GCSE level or equivalent (ideally to A Level or equivalent)
• Be competent in the use of Microsoft Office packages and proficient in the use of computers and databases 
• Have previous experience in an administrative or front office/reception role
• Be able to demonstrate previous customer service experience  
• Ideally, have experience of working in a school or educational establishment

Please download the job pack for a full job description and person specification.

About Harris Primary Academy Shortlands

Harris Primary Academy Shortlands opened in September 2014 in order to provide additional, high quality primary places for local families. We believe that every child is unique and that each deserves the opportunity to be happy, feel valued and experience success.

Academy Ethos

Whatever a child’s background or starting point, we want to make sure that they finish Year 6 with the academic skills, social skills and knowledge necessary to succeed. Every lesson at our school will be creative and there will be plenty of time for children to think, to play, to discover and wonder.

Our ethos at the Academy is that all children can achieve: it is our job as educators to do everything possible to enable this to happen. We are delighted to be getting a brand new building for our school, which will be a bright, modern and welcoming place for children to be.

Why work at Harris Primary Academy Shortlands?

• A brand new building, which is a bright, modern and welcoming place for children to be;
• Every lesson at our school is creative and there is plenty of time for children to think, to play, to discover and wonder;
• Each child is taught in the way that suits them best and we step in quickly if a change is needed;
• Excellent professional development opportunities and generous benefits package through the Harris Federation - a leading group   of primary and secondary academies in and around London

Next Steps

Please download the Job Pack for full details on the job responsibilities and person specification. You will need this when completing your online application.

If you have any questions about this opportunity, please contact us via e-mail, or call to arrange a conversation.

Please note: we may hold interviews as and when applications are received, and this job may be withdrawn without notice. We only accept applications submitted online via our careers website and which are completed before the closing deadline. With this in mind, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible and advise you check the job information as per the listing on our careers site.

Our Benefits Package

In addition to the opportunities for career progression, training and development, we also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package.

Find out more about Our Benefits

Being a part of the Harris Federation

We are recognised as the top performing large multi-academy trust in England for primary and secondary education. Closing the gap between young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and their peers has always been a core mission of Harris. Holding a reputation for bringing transformative approaches to education, we hold a unrivalled track record in achieving success through rapid school improvement.

Our people are at the heart of this success. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of training programmes available at every stage of your career.

We look for talented individuals who share our vision for creating exceptional places of learning, and are committed to ensuring that every child in London has access to the best possible education.

Learn more About Harris and our Vision and Values

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 we expect all our staff and volunteers to share in this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed for all applicants.

Read our Statement on the Recruitment of Ex-Offenders

Diversity and Equality

We are committed to equality and to valuing diversity as an employer and a provider of education.

Read our Diversity and Equality Notice