Receptionist

Dear Prospective Candidate,

Devonshire Primary Academy are seeking to appoint a Receptionist to join our professional, hardworking and friendly administrative team. This role is essential to the smooth running of the school, providing clerical and administrative support whilst also acting as the first point of contact for pupils, parents and visitors.

This is a permanent, term-time only position, working 20 hours per week, Monday to Friday from 12:00pm to 4:00pm.  The successful candidate will join our team from Monday 15th September 2025. While these hours reflect the current needs of the school, there may be some flexibility and we are happy to discuss this further with the right candidate, if necessary.

Devonshire Primary Academy serves a vibrant and diverse community in an area of high socio-economic need.  As such, the school office is a busy and fast-paced environment where no two days are the same.  The role requires someone who can manage frequent interruptions, respond calmly to unexpected situations and communicate effectively with families who may at times be facing challenges or difficult personal circumstances.

We are inviting applications from candidates who are warm, approachable and professional, with the resilience and confidence to manage challenging situations while maintaining a positive and solution-focused attitude. Through their application, candidates should be able to demonstrate their ability to undertake the following responsibilities and skills:

• Act as the first point of contact for enquiries, in person and via telephone and email, providing information, support and a welcoming front-of-house service.
• Greet and sign in visitors in line with safeguarding and security procedures.
• Provide administrative and clerical support through a number of ICT packages, including Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel.
• Maintain accurate manual and computerised records using the school’s management information systems.
• Produce reports, lists, and data for senior staff or external agencies, including standard and statutory returns.
• Support the organisation of school events, trips and visits, including preparation of relevant documentation.
• Assist with general financial administration including requesting and collecting online payments and handling small amounts of cash, ensuring accurate record-keeping.
• Manage the selection, ordering, storage and distribution of supplies under direction.
• Provide administrative support for meetings, including preparing materials and taking minutes.
• Ensure confidentiality is maintained at all times and adhere strictly to safeguarding and data protection procedures.
• Show a commitment to ongoing professional development by attending training and relevant courses.
• Demonstrate a warm, welcoming and calm manner, while maintaining an approach that is both approachable and consistently firm but fair.
• Demonstrate resilience and an ability to remain calm under pressure, while being adaptable and flexible in response to changing priorities and a fast-paced working environment.
• Possess strong organisational abilities and excellent communication and written skills.
• Demonstrate a strong work ethic with an ability to be proactive, show initiative and work effectively, both independently and as part of a team.

Devonshire Primary Academy is a happy, exciting and productive school with a wealth of opportunities for our children and staff. We can offer you: 

• The chance to be part of a closely connected, dedicated and hardworking staff;
• A friendly and supportive whole school staff team;
• Opportunities for professional development;
• A commitment to reducing staff workload and prioritising staff wellbeing – The Sea View Trust has signed up to the DfE Wellbeing Charter and Devonshire Primary Academy was named as Active Workplace of the Year 2023 at Active Lives Community Awards;
• A consistent, supportive and fair approach to dealing with staff absence, which applies to all employees and covers all types of absence;
• Term time employment, allowing you to spend school holidays with family;
• Enrolment into a pension scheme – employees do not pay tax or national insurance on their pension contributions and the school add a generous employer contribution;
• Free onsite parking;
• The option to purchase a new bicycle and cycling equipment via salary sacrifice making tax and national insurance savings; and
• The opportunity to work in a school which is at the heart of its community and always looking for innovative ways to provide the best education. 

We invite you to peruse our school website: https://www.devonshire.blackpool.sch.uk/ and our Facebook Page: Devonshire Primary Academy to gain an insight into our wonderful school.  If you wish to discuss the Receptionist job role, or would like to visit the school office, please contact the administrative team on 01253 478271.

The closing date for applications is Monday 14^th July 2025 at 9:00am and interviews are currently scheduled to take place on Thursday 17^th July 2025. 

We look forward to receiving your application should you wish to apply.

Yours sincerely,

Miss E. Jowett

Business Lead