Join Our Team at Sevenoaks Preparatory School
About Us
Sevenoaks Preparatory School is a co-educational, day Prep school for boys and girls aged 2 to 13, located in Sevenoaks, Kent. We place great value on giving pupils the opportunity to flourish in all areas of school life. They achieve excellent academic results in 11+ and 13+ examinations and scholarships, yet we are much more than a place of preparation for examinations to destination schools. We provide a nurturing environment in which children can discover and develop their talents.
Underpinning the school’s success is our ‘Way of Life’ – an ethos that encourages pupils to be responsible, kind and empathetic.
We are currently seeking a dedicated individual to join our team in the following role:
School Receptionist and Admin Assistant
Job Purpose:
To be the first line of contact for the School as one of two main School receptionists promoting a professional image of the School.
To provide administrative support to the School.
To have safeguarding of children as their priority.
Responsible to:
The Bursar with whom you will meet on a regular basis.
Key tasks and responsibilities:
To provide the first point of contact for Sevenoaks Prep, welcoming families and visitors, referring them to the appropriate person, either face to face or by telephone.
Supporting the general running of the School through the following tasks:-
· Responding to emails sent to the general admin email account, ensuring things are acted on promptly, either replying yourself or forwarding to the relevant person.
· Attend weekly and periodic admin meetings.
· Assist the teachers in organising school trips, especially arranging transport provision, liaising with the travel companies.
· Processing stationery and other orders and provide office support duties for the teaching faculty.
· Supporting the rest of the admin team as and when required.
· Helping with regular communications to parents through the school email system.
· Distributing post, and franking and arranging post collections.
· Checking to make sure School events are on the school admin diary and website.
· To be responsible for taking and organising party bookings.
· To be responsible for the daily staff absence register.
· To help with and facilitate minibus bookings for parents.
· Ensuring all MOTs, Permit 19 and other minibus garage requirements are organised.
· To carry out ad hoc secretarial duties for the Prep School Senior Management Team personnel where required.
· To create, maintain and manage admin records on the School’s central database as required, making sure list and records are accurately maintained.
· Foster positive and professional relationships with parents, being discrete at all times.
· Interact with pupils who may need support from the Reception team in a positive and caring manner.
· Liaise with colleagues, working flexibly to support each other and working as a team.
· Flexibility and the ability to work as a supportive team member are critical.
· Ensure that the Reception area is tidy and welcoming and presents an excellent first impression for Sevenoaks Prep.
· Able to administer first aid, when the nurse is not available. Training will be provided.
· Take part in wider school events, plays, recitals, trips and fund raising activities that benefit the wider school community.
Personal Specification
· Have a confident, warm and welcoming manner.
· Have a smart professional appearance.
· Co-operative with high standards of tact, diplomacy and discretion.
· Be able to take an active role in the promotion of the School and its aims and ethos.
· Ability to act on initiative, to anticipate and react independently to solve problems and prioritise work.
· Have good organisational skills and be able to use ICT effectively.
· Patience, energy and enthusiasm.
· Ability to work as part of a team.
Remuneration and hours:
This is a full-time permanent position working 8.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday during term time only. See the school website for details of term dates.
Salary: £26,569
Lunch is provided free of charge for all staff whose working hours encompass school lunchtime.
Further Information:
It is anticipated that the person appointed will start at Sevenoaks Preparatory School at the start of Autumn Term (1st September) 2026.
The School is a very happy place to work; colleagues are incredibly supportive of each other. There are excellent relationships between teaching and support staff, staff and pupils, staff and parents, and between staff in different sections of the School.
There is an induction programme and an annual appraisal system linked to INSET.
Appointment Process
The closing date for applications is Monday 1st August at 9am. Interviews will take place shortly thereafter. However, we reserve the right to vary this if the need arises or appoint earlier should the opportunity present itself.
Safeguarding and Safer Recruitment
Sevenoaks Preparatory School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We adhere to the statutory guidance outlined in the Department for Education's "Keeping Children Safe in Education" and the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) standards. Our recruitment process includes:
- Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks.
- Verification of identity, qualifications and employment history.
- Obtaining at least two references, including one from the most recent employer.
- Conducting online searches as part of due diligence.
- Ensuring all staff complete safeguarding training upon induction and at regular intervals thereafter.
All appointments are subject to satisfactory completion of these checks and procedures.
Pay: £26,569.00 per year
Benefits:
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Sevenoaks TN15 0JU: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Work Location: In person
