We are seeking an organised and proactive Admissions Officer (Operations & Recruitment) to join our Admissions Team. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced administrator with excellent organisational, communication and customer service skills, together with a genuine enthusiasm for building positive relationships with prospective families, to support pupil recruitment and admissions at one of the UK's leading independent schools.
Working closely with the Head of Admissions, you will support applicants and their families throughout the admissions journey, helping applications progress smoothly from enquiry through to enrolment. You will maintain accurate admissions records, coordinate admissions administration, support recruitment activities and events, and help deliver an exceptional admissions experience for prospective families.
The successful candidate will have experience of managing administrative processes, maintaining databases and providing excellent customer service, together with outstanding organisational and communication skills. Experience of school admissions, iSAMS, Metis or similar admissions and management information systems would be advantageous.
This is an excellent opportunity to join a collaborative and ambitious team where relationships are at the heart of what we do. You will play an important role in delivering a professional, efficient and welcoming admissions experience while supporting the School's pupil recruitment objectives.
Interview date: Week commencing 10th August 2026
JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE: Admissions Officer (Operations & Recruitment)
REPORTS TO: Head of Admissions
DEPARTMENT: Admissions
DATE OF ISSUE: July 2026
BACKGROUND
Founded in 1923 Canford School is set in 250 acres of inspirational parkland on the outskirts of Wimborne in Dorset.
The school, which has some 650 boys and girls aged 13-18, is amongst the country’s top co-educational boarding schools. Canford has established a commanding reputation built on its excellent academic achievement, breadth of education and a fresh lively approach.
Canford is a highly successful School and we thrive on knowing that we employ people who are inspired to work here, who share our core values and are challenged by the opportunities that working at Canford provides.
MAIN OBJECTIVES:
The Admissions Team is responsible for all aspects of pupil recruitment, admissions and onboarding. In addition to maintaining pupil numbers, the Team is responsible for ensuring that prospective pupils and their families enjoy a highly professional, welcoming and efficient introduction to Canford.
The Admissions Team works closely with the Headmaster, academic and pastoral staff, feeder schools, educational agents, guardians and families both within the UK and internationally.
The Admissions Officer (Operations & Recruitment) plays an important role in supporting the day-to-day operation of the admissions process, ensuring applicants progress smoothly from enquiry through to enrolment. The postholder will maintain accurate admissions records, support recruitment activities and help deliver an efficient, responsive and welcoming admissions experience for prospective families.
The successful candidate will be highly organised, personable and proactive, with excellent administrative and communication skills, a strong customer service ethos and a good understanding of the admissions process and annual admissions cycle. They will enjoy building positive relationships with prospective families, colleagues and external partners, while maintaining a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
KEY TASKS:
Admissions Operations
- Supporting applicant progression from enquiry through to enrolment.
- Monitoring admissions pipelines and ensuring applicants move efficiently through each stage of the admissions process.
- Coordinating registrations, assessments, offers and enrolment administration.
- Ensuring admissions deadlines and timelines are monitored and met.
- Maintaining oversight of applicant status and identifying any delays or barriers to progression.
- Supporting the smooth operation of the admissions process across all entry points.
Recruitment Administration
- Supporting pupil recruitment activity and admissions campaigns.
- Supporting admissions enquiries and ensuring prompt and professional follow-up.
- Supporting relationships with educational agents and recruitment partners.
- Assisting with international recruitment administration.
- Supporting recruitment initiatives, exhibitions and admissions events.
- Liaising with feeder schools and educational partners as required.
Systems & Process
- Maintaining accurate applicant records within iSAMS, Metis and associated systems.
- Ensuring the accuracy, integrity and completeness of admissions data.
- Monitoring enquiry, registration, offer and enrolment activity.
- Supporting the preparation of reports for senior leadership meetings and strategic planning.
- Supporting the effective use of admissions systems and databases.
- Ensuring consistency and accuracy across all admissions systems.
Admissions Events & Assessment Support
- Supporting the administration of Open Mornings, Familiarisation Days, Discovery Days and other admissions events.
- Coordinating registrations and attendance information.
- Supporting admissions assessments and interview days.
- Assisting with event logistics and administration.
Family Communication
- Responding to admissions enquiries via telephone and email.
- Supporting applicants and families throughout the admissions process.
- Ensuring a professional and responsive approach to family communications.
- Providing accurate admissions information and guidance.
Departmental Support
- Working collaboratively with colleagues across the Admissions Team.
- Supporting colleagues during peak admissions periods.
- Contributing to departmental planning and reporting.
- Undertaking other duties as reasonably required by the Head of Admissions.
No job description can fully cover all aspects of such an appointment and the responsibilities are likely to expand and evolve.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Job Title: Admissions Officer
Date: July 2026
Department: Admissions
- Excellent standard of education
- Experience within a school admissions environment.
- Experience of managing administrative processes and workflows.
- Experience maintaining databases and information systems.
- Experience handling confidential and sensitive information.
- Experience producing reports and analysing data.
- Understanding of admissions processes.
- Understanding of data management and reporting.
- Understanding of safeguarding responsibilities.
- Understanding of customer service principles.
- Experience of iSAMS or equivalent school MIS.
- Experience of Metis or equivalent admissions CRM.
- Strong Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel.
- Experience using databases and reporting tools.
- Independent school experience.
- Boarding school experience.
- Experience of international admissions administration.
- Experience working with educational agents.
- Experience supporting recruitment campaigns.
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- Exceptional organisational skills.
- Excellent administrative skills.
- High levels of accuracy and attention to detail.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
- Confidence working with large volumes of information.
Personal Qualities required
- A proactive and can-do attitude/mindset
- The ability to work independently and take ownership.
- A commitment to continuous improvement.
- The ability to remain calm and effective during busy admissions periods.
We are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion in our workplace and encourage applications from a diverse range of suitable qualified candidates
Canford School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
All successful job applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening.
