We are looking for a friendly and highly organised School Receptionist & Administrative Assistant to join our dedicated team. This varied and rewarding role sits at the heart of the school, welcoming visitors, staff, students and parents while ensuring the reception operates smoothly and efficiently.

Key responsibilities include managing daily attendance records, maintaining medical files, supporting school trips and events, handling post and deliveries, and coordinating communication across the school community. You will be key in ensuring the school is a safe environment for the pupils. 

The successful candidate will be confident using a range of IT systems, have excellent communication skills, and be able to prioritise tasks while remaining calm under pressure. Flexibility, attention to detail and  resourcefulness are essential. 

If you are enthusiastic about working in a busy, special school educational environment and making a real difference every day, we would love to hear from you.

Contract type: Full-time (37.5 hours per week), term time plus weeks (1 week in the summer break). Monday to Friday 08:00 - 16:00.

Main Responsibilities:

• Welcoming visitors and answering calls at the front office;
• Managing daily attendance registers and following up absences;
• Maintain medical and accident records, for pupils and staff;
• Supporting school trips, events and PTA activities;
• Handling post, deliveries and school transport lists;
• Maintaining security procedures;
• Staff and visitor sign-in and fire registers;
• Coordinating communication between parents, students and staff;
• Assisting with photocopiers, school equipment and general administrative tasks.

About us:

Mill Ford is a school with a specialism in meeting the needs of children and young adults aged 3-19 with complex needs, including severe and profound and multiple learning difficulties, complex medical needs and autistic spectrum conditions.

We are a friendly, child-centered school where staff work tirelessly to provide each child and young person with an individual and exciting curriculum that ensures pupils develop skills and knowledge for life now and in the future.  We place a strong emphasis on ensuring our pupils aspire to be the best they can, are able to contribute to society, develop their communication and social skills, enjoy learning and have a strong sense of self. We ensure pupils can achieve these things independently in a nurturing environment, where they feel safe enough to take risks.

This position will be based at our Rochford school site in Ernesettle, Plymouth.

Safeguarding children and young people is paramount in all we do, so that children and young people can learn and thrive in a safe environment. We expect all staff to share this commitment – an enhanced DBS disclosure is required for this post. For the successful candidate, and in accordance with our School Policies and KCSIE guidelines set out by the Department for Education, a background check will be carried out on your online digital presence. For this we use a third-party professional screening partner, SP Index (www.sp-index.com), experienced in processing personal data for the purpose of such checks. The scope of such checks will include all online open-source information, but specifically:

• Up to 10 years online history
• Social and professional networking and media
• Blogs & vlogs
• News and media reports
• Information displayed publicly online by 3rd parties
• Any other relevant open-source information available

You can find out more about how these checks are carried out and how your personal data will be used at https://sp-index.com/privacy-policy/

What we can offer you:

• A rewarding career supporting the school to deliver its commitment to an amazing group of children and young people.
• A nurturing and supportive workplace with a great team.
• Health and Wellbeing package which includes access to physiotherapy, counselling and mindfulness and a 24/7 GP helpline.
• Access to the Cycle to Work Scheme with Plymouth City Council along with other Plymouth City Council Employee discounts.
• Training to support you in your role, including Bromcom systems, Safety Interventions, and access to optional training such as Makaton for communication. 
• E-learning access through the National Online College - a suite of learning options to support your professional development. 
• Access to apply for a Blue Light discount card. 
• An opportunity to join the school at a time of growth.