Business Support Assistant - Reception
Permanent Appointment, Full-time, 40 weeks per year
Term-time only - 39 weeks plus 4 days
37.25 hours per week, 8.15am – 4.15pm Monday-Thursday and 8.15am – 4pm on Fridays (with 30 minutes unpaid lunch break each day)
Salary grade B1 £24,796 – B3 £25,128 FTE 27.5 hours
Salary grade C1 £25,186 – C5 £26,244 FTE 10 hours
Actual salary £21,845.57 - £22,307.83 Actual
This opportunity is one that I hope will capture your enthusiasm and I would like to thank you for your interest in this post. The Governors are seeking to appoint a motivated and enthusiastic Business Support Assistant - Reception.
The successful candidate reporting to the Business Support Manager will be responsible for providing reception and administrative services to support the teaching and learning of the school. As a school receptionist, you serve as the first impression for students, parents, and visitors. This role allows you to create a welcoming and professional environment, ensuring that everyone feels valued and supported when they enter our school.
If you are a Catholic, you will understand the distinctiveness of Catholic schools such
as Oaklands and this will be attractive to you. You do not have to be a Catholic to work at Oaklands; the Governors welcome applications from candidates of differing faith backgrounds or none who can be supportive of the school ethos.
The key accountabilities of the Business Support Assistant - Reception are:
Principal responsibilities
Customer Service
· Promote the image of the school in all contact with the outside world
· Act as the first point of contact for general parent/student/visitor enquiries, responding within standard procedures or referring the enquiry to an appropriate destination
· Perform reception duties in an efficient, professional and courteous manner
· Operate the main switchboard and refer enquiries to the appropriate destination
· Ensure all visitors comply with safeguarding guidelines and have the appropriate ID/DBS etc checks where appropriate
Administration
· Operate and have responsibility of a variety of standard office machines including a personal computer, signing in machine, franking machine and badge machine
· Order reception resources as required to include inventory rolls, stamps, signing in machine cards etc
· Enable WiFi connection to external visitors
· Oversee the collection of returned parcels as instructed by the budget holder
· Be point of contact for student exam certification collection in accordance with guidelines
· Tidy and maintain reception area
· Annual re-organisation of staff pigeonholes
· Produce admin packs at the beginning of the academic year for the Business Support Team
· Collection of exam paperwork as instructed by the exams officer
· Provide basic absence cover to attendance as required
· Basic administration support to the Careers Lead; data inputting, making/confirming appointments and calls, sending emails
· Basic administration support to DOE leaders, data inputting, booking camp, booking transport, sending emails and message reminders etc
· The duties above are neither exclusive nor exhaustive and the post holder may be required to carry out appropriate duties within the context of the job, skills and grade
Fire Marshall
- To take register of visitors to the school and report back to the Fire Roll Call Manager
Staff Management Teamwork
· Work co-operatively with others towards shared goals
· Support the induction of new members of the team and contribute to the development of others within the team through shared knowledge
- Provide cover for colleagues when required
School policies and regulations
· To work at all times in accordance with the mission and values of the school
· General knowledge of school policies and procedures
· Knowledge of Health & Safety/security regulations and procedures
· Pursue personal development skills and knowledge necessary for the effective performance of the role
The duties and responsibilities in this job description are not restrictive, and the post-holder may be required to undertake any other duties that may be reasonably required from time to time. Any such duties should not, however, substantially change the general character of the post.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential:
· GCSE (or equivalent) in English and Maths
· Good organisational skills
· Good time management skills
· Skilled at paying attention to accuracy and detail
· Excellent interpersonal skills, verbal and written
· Ability to form and maintain appropriate relationships and personal boundaries with children and young people
· Values and respects the views and the needs of children and young people
· Displays commitment to the protection and safeguarding of children and young people
· Ability to work in a Catholic School, sensitive to the ethos
· Excellent communication skills
· Ability to work under pressure
· Stamina, initiative and resilience
· Confidentiality and discretion
· Good Health
· Strong commitment to teamwork and partnership
The following would be desirable:
· Previous experience in a similar role
· Experience of working in an educational establishment (mixed comprehensive school)
· Experience of developing positive relationships with a range of different students
· Excellent I.T skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel and Teams
· Previous experience of working with schools' SIMS system
· Previous experience of working with schools' ClassCharts
· Understanding of the school’s role in the Community
· Understanding of the core purpose of Oaklands Catholic School and Sixth Form College
· Ability to forge and maintain good relationships with staff and students
· Sense of humour
· Willingness to train as Fire Warden/First Aider
The duties and responsibilities in this job description are not restrictive, and the post-holder will be required to undertake other reasonable duties as requested by the line manager.
Please note all staff will be required to complete and obtain a clear Enhanced DBS and 3 pieces of original ID for this process must be produced.
All applicants for this position must evidence Right to Work.
Closing date:
Sunday 5th July 2026 5pm
Interviews:
Week commencing 6th July 2026
All support staff are bound by the terms and conditions of contract of employment issued by the Catholic Education Service. The trustees, as employer issue you with a Catholic Education Service (CES) contract this is downloadable from the CES and school websites.:
Vacancies - Oaklands Catholic School and Sixth Form College
· Please complete a CES Support Staff application form. This can be downloaded from the Oaklands school website
· Please also complete and return the Consent to Obtain References Form
Completed applications and Consent Forms should be sent by email to: [email protected]
Pay: £24,796.00-£25,128.00 per year
Work Location: In person
