Team Staffing – School Receptionist Jobs in Middlesbrough | Immediate Vacancies

Job Description: School Receptionist in Middlesbrough

Main Responsibilities:

1. Greet visitors, staff, and students, and provide a welcoming atmosphere.
2. Answer phone calls, emails, and inquiries, directing them to the appropriate staff member or department.
3. Maintain accurate records of visitors, staff attendance, and student attendance.
4. Assist with administrative tasks such as filing, photocopying, and data entry.
5. Manage the school’s calendar, scheduling appointments and meetings as needed.
6. Maintain a tidy and organized reception area.
7. Assist with student welfare, including first aid and contacting parents when necessary.
8. Liaise with other school staff, such as teachers and administrators, to ensure smooth school operations.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

1. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
2. Strong organizational and time management abilities.
3. Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook).
4. Ability to multitask and work well under pressure.
5. Discrete and able to handle confidential information.
6. Friendly, professional, and patient demeanor.
7. First aid certification is a plus.
8. GCSE grades A-C in English and Mathematics or equivalent.

Experience:

1. Previous experience in a receptionist or administrative role, preferably within an educational setting.
2. Customer service experience is highly desirable.

Various School Receptionist Jobs in Middlesbrough and Pay Rates:

1. Full-time Permanent School Receptionist: £18,000 – £24,000 per annum
2. Part-time Permanent School Receptionist: £11.50 – £12 per hour
3. Temporary School Receptionist (Maternity Cover): £12.50 – £13 per hour
4. School Receptionist with Additional Administrative Duties: £20,000 – £26,000 per annum
5. Bilingual School Receptionist (English and another language): £22,000 – £28,000 per annum

Please note that pay rates may vary depending on the school, experience, and additional responsibilities.

What Does a School Receptionist Do

A school receptionist serves as the welcoming face and first point of contact for students, staff, parents, and visitors at a school. The role encompasses a variety of administrative and clerical tasks to help ensure the smooth day-to-day running of the school office and reception area.

Typical duties of a school receptionist include answering phone calls and emails, greeting visitors, managing student attendance and absence records, handling incoming and outgoing mail, maintaining filing systems, booking appointments, and providing administrative support to teaching staff and school management. Excellent communication and customer service skills are essential, as the receptionist interacts with a wide range of people each day.

In many schools, the receptionist also has responsibilities for first aid and contacting parents if a student becomes ill during the school day. Familiarity with standard office software like Microsoft Word and Excel is usually required. Prior experience in a customer-facing administrative role is beneficial.

Qualifications and Skills Needed

Most school receptionist positions do not require specific qualifications beyond GCSEs, although some may prefer candidates who have completed a vocational course in business administration or have an NVQ in customer service or business and administration.

More important than formal qualifications are the personal attributes and skills needed to succeed in this type of role. School receptionists must be highly organized, able to juggle multiple tasks and prioritize effectively to meet deadlines. Attention to detail is crucial for maintaining accurate records.

As the public face of the school, receptionists need to be warm, friendly, and professional at all times, even when dealing with challenging situations or upset parents and students. The ability to communicate clearly both verbally and in writing is key. Patience, empathy, and the ability to stay calm under pressure are also important qualities.

Basic IT skills are a must, as much of the job involves using office software, email, and online systems. Typing proficiency is also required. Some schools may use specialized software for functions like attendance tracking, so the receptionist must be comfortable learning new systems.

Working Hours and Environment

School receptionists typically work during school hours, which are usually around 8am to 4pm or 8:30am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday, during term time. There may be some variation in these hours between schools. Part-time or job share opportunities are sometimes available.

Most of the work is office-based, at the reception desk, which is usually located near the main entrance of the school. The receptionist may occasionally need to leave the desk to show visitors to meeting rooms or go to other parts of the school. It’s largely a sedentary role that involves sitting for long periods.

The job can be fast-paced and varied, with frequent interruptions. The ability to stay focused while handling diverse tasks and dealing with multiple demands on your time and attention is important. At busy times, such as the start and end of the school day, there may be a queue of people waiting at reception, lots of phone calls, and several tasks that all need attention at once.

Salary Expectations for School Receptionists

Salaries for school receptionists vary depending on the type of school, its location and size, and the exact responsibilities of the role. In general, pay rates are in line with other entry-level administrative jobs.

In the Middlesbrough area, school receptionist salaries typically range from around £18,000 to £25,000 per year for full-time positions. Most jobs are paid on an hourly basis, with rates between £12 and £13 per hour being common. Some positions may be term-time only rather than year-round.

Those working in secondary schools and larger schools may be at the higher end of the pay scale. With experience, there may be opportunities to move into a more senior administrative role within the school with corresponding salary increases.

School receptionists in the public sector are usually paid according to nationally agreed pay scales which are reviewed annually. Private schools set their own pay rates which may be higher or lower than the state sector, depending on the individual school.

Career Progression Opportunities

For many people, a job as a school receptionist is a good entry point into a career in school administration. With experience, there may be opportunities to take on additional responsibilities and move into roles like office manager, administrative assistant, or personal assistant to the headteacher.

Some schools offer training and development opportunities to support career progression. This might include the chance to work towards relevant vocational qualifications like an NVQ or diploma in school administration.

The skills developed in a school receptionist role, such as organization, prioritization, customer service, and communication, are highly transferable and could lead to administrative job opportunities in other sectors as well. Some people use a school receptionist role as a stepping stone to other positions within education, such as teaching assistant or learning support roles.

For those who enjoy the school environment and working with young people, a receptionist job can be a fulfilling long-term career. There are opportunities to build positive relationships with students, parents, and staff over time. With experience, some receptionists take on additional pastoral responsibilities or get involved with extracurricular activities.

Finding School Receptionist Jobs in Middlesbrough

School receptionist vacancies in Middlesbrough are advertised in various places. The Tees Valley Jobs website is a good place to start, as it has a dedicated section for education jobs in the area, including administrative and support staff roles in schools.

Local authority websites, such as the Middlesbrough Council jobs page, also list current vacancies in state schools in the area. Check individual school websites too, as some schools advertise job openings directly.

General job websites like Indeed, Total Jobs, and Monster often have listings for school receptionist jobs in the Middlesbrough area. Set up email alerts to get notified of new vacancies that match your criteria.

Recruitment agencies that specialize in education or school support staff roles may also be able to help with your job search. Some schools use agencies to fill temporary or permanent positions.

Word of mouth is another way to learn about job opportunities. Let friends, family, and local contacts know you are looking for school receptionist work. Schools often like to hire people who come recommended by someone they know and trust.

Conclusion

A job as a school receptionist in Middlesbrough can be a rewarding entry point into a career in education administration. Receptionists play a vital role in the smooth running of a school, providing a welcoming first point of contact and essential administrative support.

While the role is not highly paid, it offers valuable experience and opportunities for development. Key skills needed for success include organization, communication, customer service, and the ability to multitask in a busy environment.

If you are a friendly, efficient, and unflappable “people person” who enjoys variety and thrives on being at the heart of the action, then a school receptionist job in Middlesbrough could be a great fit. With relevant experience and skills, you will find opportunities for a fulfilling and worthwhile long-term career within the education sector.

FAQs – Find School Receptionist Jobs in Middlesbrough with Team Staffing Agency

What are the typical responsibilities of a school receptionist in Middlesbrough?

A: School receptionists in Middlesbrough handle various administrative tasks, such as answering phones, greeting visitors, managing student attendance records, and providing general information about the school to parents and the public.

What qualifications are required for a school receptionist job in Middlesbrough?

A: Most school receptionist positions in Middlesbrough require a minimum of GCSE-level education, with good grades in English and Mathematics. Previous experience in an administrative or customer-facing role is often preferred.

What are the working hours for school receptionists in Middlesbrough?

A: School receptionists in Middlesbrough typically work during school hours, which are usually from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday. Some schools may require additional hours for events or meetings.

What is the average salary for a school receptionist in Middlesbrough?

A: The average salary for a school receptionist in Middlesbrough ranges from £18,000 to £24,000 per year, depending on the school, experience, and qualifications of the candidate.

What skills are essential for a school receptionist in Middlesbrough?

A: Essential skills for a school receptionist in Middlesbrough include excellent communication and interpersonal skills, proficiency in Microsoft Office, strong organizational and multitasking abilities, and the ability to maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive information.