Receptionist and Administrator

Looking to take your first step in education? We are looking for a dedicated and detail-orientated individual to join Harris Science Academy East London as Receptionist and Administrative Assistant. Working under the instruction and guidance of senior staff to provide general administrative and financial support to the school, you will either have experience in an administrative role or looking to take your first step in an administrative support role within an educational environment.

About Us

We are a co-educational secondary academy and Sixth Form with a mission to provide children in this part of East London with a truly world-class education.

Our curriculum is stimulating and challenging and our teachers are, across the board, experts in their subjects. Our approach to pastoral care means every student feels safe and can learn, and our timetable is packed with trips, talks, clubs, and activities that make the most of our location close to the centre of London. Since September 2022, we have been part of the Harris Federation, a high-performing group of 52 primary and secondary academies in and around London.

Our aim is to produce confident, ambitious and successful pupils who are able to pursue their goals. We abide by the following principles in order to make this vision a reality:

All children deserve the best education possible

Education is about more than achieving good grades. Our aim is to show pupils that ideas have the power to shape the world we live in. We want to instil a love of learning that lasts a lifetime.

A ‘well educated' pupil must have a good science education

A science education, grounded in the disciplines of mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology, is fundamental to understanding the world we live in.

Good teaching is the best way to open a child's mind

We expect all our teachers to intellectually challenge our pupils and utilise their extensive knowledge to deliver exceptional lessons.

The best pupils are open to questioning their own thought

A true measure of a critical thinker is his or her ability to accept criticism. Through knowledge of the beliefs of others, our pupils will be encouraged to develop a stronger sense of their own beliefs.

Pupils should be encouraged to strive to improve and develop new skills

We will foster our pupils' talents in the arts, sports and debate to create a space for all our pupils to thrive. Our teachers hold our pupils to high expectations, and we expect our pupils to hold themselves to the same standards.

We will provide our students with relevant skills to enable them to succeed in the modern workplace

Our technical education will open doors for pupils, by providing them with knowledge and skills necessary for them to achieve successful careers.

Main Areas of Responsibility

Organisation

• To represent the Academy in a professional and welcoming manner to all visitors, staff and students, including telephone callers
• Undertake reception duties, answering general telephone and face to face enquiries and signing in visitors
• To complete first day of absence calling for all students who are absent, recording reasons on Bromcom, recording calls in attendance events, checking directly with AWO if there are any concerns.
• Assist with pupil first aid/welfare duties, looking after sick pupils, liaising with parents/staff etc.
• Assist in arrangements for school trips, events etc.

Administration

• Provide general clerical/admin support e.g. photocopying, filing, faxing, e-mailing, completing standard forms, responding to routine correspondence
• Maintain manual and computerised records/management information systems
• Produce lists/information/data as required, e.g. pupils' data
• Undertake typing, word processing and other IT based tasks
• Sort and distribute mail
• Ensure reprographics requests are fulfilled on time;
• Undertake general administrative procedures
• Maintain and collate pupil reports

Resources

• Operate relevant equipment/ ICT packages (e.g. word, excel, databases, spreadsheets, internet)
• Maintain stock and supplies, cataloguing and distributing as required
• Assist in ordering uniform
• Provide general advice and guidance to staff, pupils and others
• Undertake general financial administration, e.g. processing orders

Qualifications & Experience

Qualifications, Knowledge and Training

• NVQ2 or equivalent qualification or experience in relevant discipline
• Good numeracy/literacy skills
• Minimum of 2 years school office experience

Experience & Knowledge

• General clerical/administrative/financial work
• Knowledge of safeguarding procedures for young people
• Experience of Reception duties including dealing with visitors to the Academy

Skills & Abilities

• Appropriate knowledge of first aid
• Effective use of ICT packages
• Use of relevant equipment/resources
• Good keyboard skills
• Ability to relate well to children and adults
• Work constructively as part of a team, understanding of school roles and responsibilities and your own position within these
• The ability to take initiative and work independently
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Good communication skills
• Good organisational and time keeping skills
• Good interpersonal skills
• Able to work independently and manage own workload

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 to senior leadership.

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.

In addition to the opportunities for career progression, training and development, we also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package which includes our Harris Allowance, a Performance and Loyalty Bonus, Pension Scheme, a Wellbeing Cash Plan and many other benefits.

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. Before applying, please review our Policy Statement on the Recruitment of Ex-Offenders.

Equal Opportunities

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

As a provider of employment and education, we value the diversity of our staff and students, and all our staff are equally valued and respected. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment for our students and staff.