School Receptionist

Ark Blacklands Primary Academy  

Are you someone who has high expectations? Do you want to belong to a school which is continually striving to improve the life chances of its pupils?

Ark Blacklands Primary Academy is a popular and over-subscribed school in the heart of Hastings.  It is graded as ‘Outstanding’ in all areas by Ofsted and has a proven track record of raising standards for its pupils, particularly our most vulnerable. As Hastings has recently been recognised as an ‘Opportunity Area’, the academy will be pivotal in ensuring our children get the best start in life, no matter what their background.

As part of the Ark schools network, we are committed to making sure that every child has access to an excellent education and real choices in life. We know that great schools need great staff, which is why we offer you the very best training and support at every stage of your career.

We are seeking to appoint a highly motivated School Receptionist from December 2018 on a term-time, permanent basis. This role will involve ensuring the smooth and organised running of the school’s office, dealing with parents’ enquires, keeping accurate records and communicating effectively with staff and pupils.  We can offer you a friendly, supportive school with opportunities for professional development.

The successful candidate will:

·         have great communication and organisational skills

·         be able to work under pressure

·         be an excellent team player

·         have a calm manner

If you have a passion to work in a school environment, we can offer you both support and challenge to develop further.

Click the link below to see our school in action and understand its vision and values:

https://vimeo.com/194494393?utm_source=email&utm_medium=vimeo-cliptranscode-201504&utm_campaign=29220

We strongly encourage you to visit the academy to meet us and find out more about this vacancy.  Please contact Mrs. G Hulls on 01424 429279 or via email at g.hulls@arkblacklandsprimary.org to arrange a visit.

As a member of staff at Ark Blacklands, you will be part of Ark, an international charity and one of the UK's most successful multi-academy trusts, with a network of 35 schools in 4 locations across the country.

We work hard to recognise hard work

·         We strive to recognise your achievements and celebrate your success.

·         You will have access to health packages, discounts at major retailers, travel loans and other benefits, through the Ark Rewards scheme.

·         We take CPD seriously, which is why we offer twice as many training days as standard.

·         We provide an array of development programmes for our staff, supplying you with the training and support you need to progress throughout your career. We will support you to become the best you can be.  

Visit our website, www.arkblacklandsprimary.org  for more information about our school.

Please submit your application online by visiting https://arkcareers.engageats.co.uk/ApplicationForm.aspx?enc=mEgrBL4XQK0+ld8aNkwYmNRrH6BaeSOAYipNIyDwj5Ll1Dkh8nMzAyrsMyOnwWwyPbxXCI4VVgVp7mGfYvfoHvVFCckx7oCfjWnvL1Kvd0oL6CQ15fNZAnWe53ihH3l28qpAbz6b16bO/bZ8Mc/clQ==    

The deadline for applications is 9am on 16^th November 2018.

Closing date: Friday 16^th November 2018, 9am
Interviews: w/c 19^th November 2018
Salary: Ark Support Scale 3 Point 8 - 14 (Outside London) £15,185 - £16,725 pro rata
Contract: Permanent - 36 hours per week, term time only

Location: Hastings

Ark is committed to safeguarding children; successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced DBS check.

Job Description: School Receptionist

Reporting to:                     Business Manager
Salary:                                 Ark Support Scale 3: Pay Point 8-14 (Outside London) £15,185 - £16725, pro rata, dependent on experience

Disclosure Level:             Enhanced

The Role

As the Receptionist, you will be the welcoming face of the school and will provide a positive first impression to all visitors, students and staff, and provide general administrative support.

Key Responsibilities

·         Act as the school’s main receptionist, providing a first point of contact for all incoming communications to ensure that they are answered in a timely and professional manner, presenting a positive image of the academy

·         Interact with parents, carers, colleagues and visitors to the school, at all levels of seniority, with confidence, tact and professionalism

·         Ensure safeguarding procedures are followed for all visitors, including maintaining the Inventry system and appropriately handling incoming calls and enquiries

·         Ensure that all communications are correctly logged and routed to their intended recipients, or an appropriate member of staff, to ensure a quick and effective communication system

·         Deal effectively with school post, receive deliveries and maintain electronic mail systems ensuring that information is passed to relevant staff in a timely manner

·         Ensure that queries are dealt with effectively, taking the initiative to identify and handle issues that arise on behalf of the leadership team and others

·         Ensure that Free School Meals records are kept up to date

·         Liaise with Catering staff regarding school meals, ensuring that payments are up to date

·         Administer ParentPay system to aid communication with Parents/carers

·         Produce the weekly newsletter and distribute via ParentPay and the school website

·         Administer medicines when necessary and maintain accurate paperwork

·         Ensure that After School Club letters are current and available to Parents

·         To contribute to the effective working of the academy.

Academy Culture

·         Help create a strong academy community, characterised by consistent, orderly behaviour and caring, respectful relationships

·         To be active in issues of student welfare and support

·         Support and work in collaboration with colleagues and other professionals in and beyond the school

Other

·         Actively promote the safety and welfare of our children and young people

·         Ensure compliance with Ark’s data protection rules and procedures

·         Work with Ark Central and other academies in the Ark network to establish good practice throughout the network, offering support where required

·         To maintain the Health & Safety record as required

·         Maintain regular and productive communication with pupils, parents and carers

·         Undertake other various responsibilities as directed by the line manager or Head of School.

           Person Specification: School Receptionist

Qualification Criteria

·         Maths and English GCSE Grade C or higher

·         Right to work in the UK

Skills and Experience

·         Experience of using Office programs e.g. Word, Excel, Publisher etc.

·         Experience of routine office procedures

·         Excellent literacy and communication skills, including written and oral

·         Experience of prioritising workload and meeting deadlines

·         Experience of working in a school environment (desirable)

Personal characteristics

·         Helpful and positive nature, calm and caring

·         Attention to detail

·         Ability to multi-task

·         Skilled and adaptable people skills

·         Understanding of the importance of confidentiality and discretion

·         Ability to follow instructions accurately but make good judgements when required

·         Keen to learn and develop new skills

·         Ability to establish good working relationships with children, staff, parents, governors and the community

Behaviours

·         Effective team member

·         Vision aligned with Ark’s high aspirations, high expectations of self and others

·         Genuine passion and a belief in the potential of every pupil

·         Commitment to the safeguarding and welfare of all pupils.

Other

·         Commitment to equality of opportunity and the safeguarding and welfare of all pupils

·         Willingness to undertake training

·         This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.

Ark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in our academies.  In order to meet this responsibility, we follow a rigorous selection process. This process is outlined here, but can be provided in more detail if requested. All successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.