School Receptionist
Full-time
Mid
Description
Receptionist/Administrator
Salary: Level 5, Point 22.1 -25- £27,013.70-£28,776.30 + SSA allowance £1,183.80 per annum depending on experience
(FTE £30,008-£31,966 + SSA Allowance £1,315.07 per annum)
Location: Arbour Vale School, Farnham Road, SL2 3AE/ Arbour Vale Satellite Centre, Derwent Drive, Slough, Berkshire, SL1 6HW
Working Pattern: Full-time: 37 hours per week, Monday–Thursday 8:00am–4:00pm, Friday 8:00am–3.30pm Term time plus 2 weeks.
Arbour Vale School is a large and inclusive special school in Slough, supporting pupils aged 2 to 19 with a wide range of educational needs. It is one of the largest special schools in the country, meeting the needs of children and young people with moderate learning difficulties, severe learning difficulties, profound and multiple learning needs, and autism.
The school is purpose built with specialist facilities including a dedicated nursery and post-16 base, soft-play area, hydrotherapy pool, multi-sensory room, a newly refurbished library, well-equipped IT suite, dedicated music room and large sports hall. Arbour Vale School is a vibrant and welcoming community and offers many opportunities for professionals who want a rewarding career enabling young people to achieve their full potential irrespective of their personal learning needs.
Slough Borough Council has recognised the need for additional school places, and we are delighted to be working in partnership with the Council on an exciting new development at our satellite centre in Slough. This phased expansion will create 80 additional places over two years, increasing Arbour Vale School’s total capacity to 455 pupils across two sites. This is a fantastic opportunity to join our growing and inclusive school community, with roles available at the main school site and the satellite site, as we continue to provide high-quality, personalised education for children and young people with a wide range of special educational needs.
We are looking for a friendly, organised, and professional Receptionist. As Receptionist you will be the first point of contact for pupils, parents, staff, and visitors, ensuring a warm welcome and maintaining the safe, smooth running of the centre. Working closely with the administration team and under the direction of the Office Manager, you will provide efficient and confidential administrative support, maintain accurate records, and help create a professional, inclusive, and supportive environment where pupils can thrive.
Key Responsibilities:
• Act as the first point of contact for visitors and phone calls, coordinating safe entrances and exits for pupils, staff, and visitors while following safeguarding procedures.
• Provide general administrative support, including filing, photocopying, data entry, producing reports, and maintaining school management systems (e.g., SIMS 360).
• Assist parents and carers with school systems, including cashless payments, and support pupil-related administration as needed.
• Support the Administrator with diary management, meeting arrangements, and preparation of documents and correspondence.
• Maintain office resources and supplies, manage stock, and liaise with staff, governors, parents, and external agencies to ensure smooth communication and operation.
Key Requirements:
• GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and Maths, grade 4/C or above.
• Computer literate, with experience using Microsoft Word, Excel, databases, and school management systems (e.g., SIMS).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to interact professionally with pupils, parents, staff, and external agencies.
• Highly organised, able to prioritise tasks, work independently, and meet deadlines in a busy school environment.
• Professional, reliable, and discreet, with awareness of safeguarding, confidentiality, equality, and inclusion.
Rewards & Benefits:
• Pathways for progression within the trust, ensuring you can grow and thrive in a supportive and inclusive environment.
• Pension Scheme - you will be enrolled in either the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) or the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS), both offering life cover and financial protection for your family.
• Salary Sacrifice Schemes (Cycle Scheme and Home Electronics Scheme)
• Employee Wellbeing - We support employee wellbeing with access to counselling, mental health support, generous leave, flexible working, and enhanced parental leave including Employee Assistance Programme, MyGym Discounts, Corporate Eyecare Scheme
• Employee Discounts (Blue Light Card, Costco Membership, Discounts for Teachers, and more)
• Other (Season Ticket Loan and Employee Referral Scheme)
Find out what makes OHCAT a truly rewarding place to work - visit our ‘Work for Us’ page to hear from our Chief Executive Officer, John Prior, and watch inspiring messages from students and parents about the difference our staff make every day.
Our Trust
Arbour Vale School is part of Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust. We are a family of specialist education providers from pre-school through to further education across London, Surrey, Sussex and Berkshire and fully represent all designations of special education needs and disabilities (SEND). To find out more about us, and what makes us a special place to work please visit our website.
We are committed to promoting and advancing equality of opportunity by attracting and retaining the most diverse range of students, staff and partners.
Working together to transform lives is what we do and across the whole organisation we have a range of experts and practitioners who advocate for children and young people with SEND to ensure they receive the best possible opportunities to achieve their full potential.
As a large specialist education provider we employ over 1500 people across our schools, college and central support team. There is a wide range of job roles available, ranging from teaching and therapy to business support roles and significant career progression opportunities.
It is an exciting time to be part of OHCAT and we are keen to recruit talented people who can play a key role in realising our mission and who want to make a difference. In return, we offer training and development, competitive pay and benefits in a positive and inclusive working environment.
Closing Date: Friday 28th November 2025
Interviews will take place on: to be confirmed
Safeguarding Statement
Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Appointments made will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.
Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer, committed to creating an inclusive and supportive workplace for all.
Salary: Level 5, Point 22.1 -25- £27,013.70-£28,776.30 + SSA allowance £1,183.80 per annum depending on experience
(FTE £30,008-£31,966 + SSA Allowance £1,315.07 per annum)
Location: Arbour Vale School, Farnham Road, SL2 3AE/ Arbour Vale Satellite Centre, Derwent Drive, Slough, Berkshire, SL1 6HW
Working Pattern: Full-time: 37 hours per week, Monday–Thursday 8:00am–4:00pm, Friday 8:00am–3.30pm Term time plus 2 weeks.
Arbour Vale School is a large and inclusive special school in Slough, supporting pupils aged 2 to 19 with a wide range of educational needs. It is one of the largest special schools in the country, meeting the needs of children and young people with moderate learning difficulties, severe learning difficulties, profound and multiple learning needs, and autism.
The school is purpose built with specialist facilities including a dedicated nursery and post-16 base, soft-play area, hydrotherapy pool, multi-sensory room, a newly refurbished library, well-equipped IT suite, dedicated music room and large sports hall. Arbour Vale School is a vibrant and welcoming community and offers many opportunities for professionals who want a rewarding career enabling young people to achieve their full potential irrespective of their personal learning needs.
Slough Borough Council has recognised the need for additional school places, and we are delighted to be working in partnership with the Council on an exciting new development at our satellite centre in Slough. This phased expansion will create 80 additional places over two years, increasing Arbour Vale School’s total capacity to 455 pupils across two sites. This is a fantastic opportunity to join our growing and inclusive school community, with roles available at the main school site and the satellite site, as we continue to provide high-quality, personalised education for children and young people with a wide range of special educational needs.
We are looking for a friendly, organised, and professional Receptionist. As Receptionist you will be the first point of contact for pupils, parents, staff, and visitors, ensuring a warm welcome and maintaining the safe, smooth running of the centre. Working closely with the administration team and under the direction of the Office Manager, you will provide efficient and confidential administrative support, maintain accurate records, and help create a professional, inclusive, and supportive environment where pupils can thrive.
Key Responsibilities:
• Act as the first point of contact for visitors and phone calls, coordinating safe entrances and exits for pupils, staff, and visitors while following safeguarding procedures.
• Provide general administrative support, including filing, photocopying, data entry, producing reports, and maintaining school management systems (e.g., SIMS 360).
• Assist parents and carers with school systems, including cashless payments, and support pupil-related administration as needed.
• Support the Administrator with diary management, meeting arrangements, and preparation of documents and correspondence.
• Maintain office resources and supplies, manage stock, and liaise with staff, governors, parents, and external agencies to ensure smooth communication and operation.
Key Requirements:
• GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and Maths, grade 4/C or above.
• Computer literate, with experience using Microsoft Word, Excel, databases, and school management systems (e.g., SIMS).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to interact professionally with pupils, parents, staff, and external agencies.
• Highly organised, able to prioritise tasks, work independently, and meet deadlines in a busy school environment.
• Professional, reliable, and discreet, with awareness of safeguarding, confidentiality, equality, and inclusion.
Rewards & Benefits:
• Pathways for progression within the trust, ensuring you can grow and thrive in a supportive and inclusive environment.
• Pension Scheme - you will be enrolled in either the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) or the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS), both offering life cover and financial protection for your family.
• Salary Sacrifice Schemes (Cycle Scheme and Home Electronics Scheme)
• Employee Wellbeing - We support employee wellbeing with access to counselling, mental health support, generous leave, flexible working, and enhanced parental leave including Employee Assistance Programme, MyGym Discounts, Corporate Eyecare Scheme
• Employee Discounts (Blue Light Card, Costco Membership, Discounts for Teachers, and more)
• Other (Season Ticket Loan and Employee Referral Scheme)
Find out what makes OHCAT a truly rewarding place to work - visit our ‘Work for Us’ page to hear from our Chief Executive Officer, John Prior, and watch inspiring messages from students and parents about the difference our staff make every day.
Our Trust
Arbour Vale School is part of Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust. We are a family of specialist education providers from pre-school through to further education across London, Surrey, Sussex and Berkshire and fully represent all designations of special education needs and disabilities (SEND). To find out more about us, and what makes us a special place to work please visit our website.
We are committed to promoting and advancing equality of opportunity by attracting and retaining the most diverse range of students, staff and partners.
Working together to transform lives is what we do and across the whole organisation we have a range of experts and practitioners who advocate for children and young people with SEND to ensure they receive the best possible opportunities to achieve their full potential.
As a large specialist education provider we employ over 1500 people across our schools, college and central support team. There is a wide range of job roles available, ranging from teaching and therapy to business support roles and significant career progression opportunities.
It is an exciting time to be part of OHCAT and we are keen to recruit talented people who can play a key role in realising our mission and who want to make a difference. In return, we offer training and development, competitive pay and benefits in a positive and inclusive working environment.
Closing Date: Friday 28th November 2025
Interviews will take place on: to be confirmed
Safeguarding Statement
Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Appointments made will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.
Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer, committed to creating an inclusive and supportive workplace for all.