Receptionist/Admin Assistant
- Ashford
- Fixed Term
Full Job Description
We work smarter so that you can enjoy the things that matter outside of work
Job Title: Receptionist/Admin Assistant
Location: Heath Farm School, Ashford, Kent, TN27 0AX
Hours: 25 hours per week | Monday to Friday | Mon & Tues 11am-3pm | Wed 8.30am-4.30pm | Thur 11am-3pm | Fri 11am-4.30pm
Salary: £7,386.88 per annum (not pro rata)
Contract: Fixed Term contract- 6 months | Term time only
Start: October 2026
UK applicants only – no sponsorship available
About the Role
We are seeking a Receptionist / Administrative Assistant to join our dedicated school team. This varied and rewarding role combines front-of-house responsibilities with administrative support, ensuring the smooth day-to-day running of the school while providing a professional and welcoming experience for pupils, families, staff, and visitors.
As the first point of contact for the school, you will play a key role in creating a positive environment while providing efficient administrative support across the organisation. You'll manage enquiries, maintain accurate records, support admissions and meetings, and ensure all information is handled confidentially and in line with safeguarding and GDPR requirements.
What you will be doing
- Welcoming visitors, parents, staff, and professionals and managing reception services.
- Handling telephone calls, emails, enquiries, messages, post, and deliveries.
- Supporting safeguarding procedures, including visitor sign-in processes.
- Providing confidential administrative support, preparing correspondence, reports, and documentation.
- Maintaining accurate pupil records, attendance data, and databases.
- Supporting admissions processes and responding to enquiries.
- Organising meetings, room bookings, and refreshments as required.
- Ensuring compliance with GDPR, confidentiality, and safeguarding policies.
- Supporting the wider school team with additional administrative duties when required.
What you will bring
We are looking for someone who:
- Has experience in a reception or administrative role.
- Possesses strong IT skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
- Has excellent communication, organisational, and time-management skills.
- Can prioritise workloads and work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
- Understands the importance of confidentiality, safeguarding, and professionalism.
- Is approachable, reliable, adaptable, and customer-focused.
- Is committed to inclusion and delivering excellent service to all stakeholders.
- Experience within an education or SEND setting
- GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and Maths, NVQ Level 2 in Administration is desirable.
About Us
Heath Farm is an independent SEN school that offers a unique and stimulating environment where every student can make outstanding progress in their personal development and enjoy success in their education. From our nurturing approach for Primary through to Secondary students aged 5 to 16, all students are encouraged to reach high standards in every aspect of their lives.
Our pupils present with a wide range of needs, including social and emotional issues, learning difficulties, mental health problems and associated conditions. However, they are able to enjoy extraordinary outcomes and be happy at school.
Acorn Education offers rewarding careers and meaningful challenges while making a real difference in young people’s lives. As a leading UK provider of specialist education for children and young people with special educational needs, and part of Outcomes First Group, we deliver innovative, evidence-based approaches that support measurable progress and lasting impact.
We are really proud to say that in 2025 Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running.
Why Join Us?
We place pupils and vulnerable young adults at the heart of everything we do, so every day brings the satisfaction of making a real difference. We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.
- Life Assurance
- Pension scheme with options to increase contributions
- “Your Wellbeing Matters” – mental health support and physical health checks
- Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista), including:
- Health, wellbeing and insurance benefits
- Hundreds of UK and international discounts
- Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Purchase Scheme
- Critical illness cover
- Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity/paternity leave and paid fertility treatment support
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.
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