Receptionist/ Administrator
Part time (mornings), all year round
Starting late August/ early September (TBC)
Executive Summary
Headington School, Oxford is a vibrant and welcoming school set in 23 acres of playing fields and grounds. In an environment where individuals come first, Headington is renowned for its commitment to academic excellence, pastoral support and an impressive range of extra-curricular opportunities.
We are seeking to appoint a professional, friendly and effective receptionist to join our administration team and share responsibility for managing the main school reception.
Headington’s reception is open from 7.45 am until 6.00 pm Monday - Friday during term time, and from 7.45 am until 1.00 pm during school holidays. Term-time hours for this position are 7.45 am - 1.00 pm.
The position is available from late August/early September 2026 (exact start date to be confirmed).
The team
Headington’s receptionists form part of a wider administration team that works collectively to ensure the smooth running of school operations. Headington is a busy and vibrant place, with many pupils, staff, parents, and visitors passing through reception daily.
Role Description
This is a part time, all year round role, starting late August/ early September (to be confirmed).
The successful candidate will present a professional, friendly and effective welcome point for all staff, parents, pupils and other visitors to the School, providing administrative support as required.
Key Responsibilities
Reception duties
- welcoming visitors, providing security passes, arranging for their care while in the School until departure
- managing the digital visitor booking and sign-in system
- first line telephone answering and passing messages as appropriate
- dealing with a wide-range of queries from staff, pupils, parents and external callers
Administrative Support
- accepting parcel deliveries and liaising with the porter
- filing of pupil information and general correspondence
- booking and confirming staff training courses and maintaining a staff training log
- provision of general administrative service for staff, eg labels, letters
- assisting with stationery orders and stock
- assisting staff with mailings, including recorded deliveries
- assisting with administration for major school events
- completing hand-over diary as necessary
- providing cover for the other receptionists during holiday time and sickness.
- carrying out any other duties that are within the employee's skills and abilities whenever reasonably instructed
Other duties
- First Aider to pupils and staff (training will be provided)
- providing cover for colleagues during illness and holidays
Person Specification
Qualifications and Experience
Essential
- experience of working with a variety of people by telephone and face-to-face
- knowledge of IT systems and ability to learn new applications as necessary
Desirable
- Customer Service experience
Personal Attributes and Skills
- excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- adaptability and show good judgement
- an exceptional administrator
- a positive manner and a sense of humour
- sympathy with the values and ethos of the School
Terms of Appointment
Type of Contract
Part time, all year round role, 7.45 am - 1.00 pm. Annual leave is to be taken outside term time.
Benefits
Pension
Contributory membership of the School’s Support Staff Pension Scheme with a School contribution of up to 9.95 per cent upon successful completion of six months’ service.
Fee remission
In accordance with the School’s policy, which may be subject to change, up to 50 per cent fee remission for pupils attending Headington School and up to 20 per cent fee remission for boys attending Magdalen College School (under a reciprocal agreement) and subject to the terms of their policy. Fee remission is calculated on the number of weeks and hours worked and is pro rata for part-time staff who work at least 50 per cent of a working week.
Salary
£23.8k – £26.6k FTE per annum depending on skills and experience (based on working full time 37.5 hours per week). Prorated salary to be confirmed.
Additional Benefits
All staff have access to a broad programme of wellbeing activities. The programme currently includes access to the School’s gym and swimming pool, weekly Step and Tone and Zumba classes and regular staff social activities such as Book Club and Staff Choir. Staff also benefit from free access to the Employee Assistance Programme, a free, confidential helpline that offers advice on a range of issues. Free restricted parking is available for all staff on site.
Appointment Process and How To Apply
Applicants should submit an application form and a covering letter detailing their skills and experience to recruitment@headington.org
- Applications will only be accepted from candidates completing the application form in full. CVs will not be accepted in substitution for completed application forms. However, they may be sent in addition to the application form.
- We will seek references on shortlisted candidates and will approach previous employers for information to verify particular experience or qualifications, before the interview. References will ask about your suitability to work with children.
- If you are invited to interview you will receive notification outlining the interview process and guidance regarding the documentation you are required to provide.
Closing Date: Please apply immediately
Interviews: on application
Applications are reviewed and shortlisted on a rolling basis and we reserve the right to interview, appoint and close adverts early depending on the volume of applications we receive. We therefore encourage you to apply at the earliest opportunity to avoid disappointment as once we have closed a vacancy you will be unable to submit your application form.
All appointments are subject to satisfactory completion of all employment checks, ie references, Disclosure and Barring Service, medical questionnaire, Right to Work in the UK.
Headington School is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Applicants must undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and DBS and barred lists checks. The School expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
