Receptionist

Job title : Receptionist

Salary : CSET 11, £25,584 FTE, £13,381 prorated

Hours : 22.5 hours per week, 39 weeks of the year (term time only + INSET)

Working days : Monday to Wednesday, 8am-4pm

Contract type : Permanent

Location : Downend School, BS16 6XA

Start date: 1st September 2026 About the role

You will be the first line of communication for the school, in person and by telephone. The role will be responsible for maintaining visitors’ record log and the administration of security passes and to ensure the smooth running of reception ensuring that telephone calls, visitors and students are dealt with efficiently, sensitively and appropriately in line with CSET procedures.

About you

As the first point of contact for our visitors both face to face and over the phone you will need to be a professional with a personable attitude. You will have both reception and administrative experience and have excellent organisational skills. It is essential that you are proficient with working with computer systems and have demonstrable ICT skills and are comfortable with working on your own initiative. You will have good interpersonal skills and a strong customer service orientation. They should be confident in dealing with people, promoting and contributing actively to the school ethos and values.

About us

At Downend School we provide a safe, supportive and challenging learning environment that aims to inspire and empower young people to grasp opportunity; to reach their potential and excel; to develop responsibility and integrity and to respect themselves and others.

We have a strong ethos based on our core PRIDE values of participation, respect, identity, determination and excellence. We set standards high and aim to nurture young people who are well equipped to become active and positive members of the school community and to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in a time of rapid change.

We are proud of the care and support we offer our students. We strongly believe in the value of creating a friendly and caring school community where youngsters feel a sense of belonging and feel valued and respected. Happy and motivated students will flourish and become successful young people. Above all, Downend is a happy school.

We can offer you:

A supportive trust and school community

Strong collaboration across the trust family of schools and access to a centralised team of specialists across all areas of school operations

A commitment to high‑quality CPD, with dedicated time and budget for your development

A values‑driven ethos where diversity, equity and inclusion are lived every day

Recognition of continuous service (modification order) to protect employment rights and entitlements

Local Authority Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions and death‑in‑service cover

Occupational sick pay to support you during illness or unexpected emergencies

Family‑friendly l