20 days remaining to apply

  • Start date details

    As soon as possible

  • Closing date

    21 June 2026 at 11:59pm

  • Date listed

    1 June 2026

Job details

Job role

  • Administration, HR, data and finance

Visa sponsorship

Visas cannot be sponsored

Working pattern

Full time

Contract type

Permanent

Full-time equivalent salary

£29,597 to £34,386 Per year

What skills and experience we're looking for

Start date July 2026, Hours: 8.30am to 4:30pm Monday to Thursday, 8.30am to 4.00pm Friday – Term time plus insets, plus 1 additional week

Our friendly federation is seeking an enthusiastic, organised and self‑motivated Office Manager to join our hardworking and supportive team at Southcote Primary School. We are looking for a dedicated professional who takes pride in delivering high‑quality administrative support and ensuring the smooth day‑to‑day running of a busy school office.

This is a varied and rewarding role working closely with the Executive Headteacher, Head of Operations and wider leadership team. The successful candidate will play a key part in supporting pupils, staff, parents and the wider school community — often being the calm, reassuring presence, at the heart of the school.

The successful candidate will:
- Demonstrate exceptional organisation — able to manage multiple priorities and maintain a well‑structured, efficient office environment
- Communicate with warmth and clarity — building positive relationships with staff, parents, pupils and external agencies
- Bring emotional intelligence — remaining calm during busy school mornings and responding sensitively to upset children or concerned parents
- Have experience in a busy office, ideally within a school setting
- Use digital systems confidently — including experience with MIS such as SIMS, or willingness to undertake training
- Support and lead office staff effectively, modelling professionalism and teamwork
- Understand safeguarding responsibilities — including the updated KCSIE 2026 requirements around AI
‑safeguarding, data protection and ensuring all staff are fully prepared to implement Part One of the guidance
- Uphold confidentiality and GDPR at all times
- Maintain the school’s digital presence — supporting website updates and contributing to positive, compliant social media communication
We can offer:- A welcoming, supportive and collaborative team- Friendly, enthusiastic pupils who make every day meaningful- Opportunities for training and development, including safeguarding and digital‑skills training- A varied and rewarding role within our growing Federation- Access to our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support wellbeing- A workplace where kindness, professionalism and humour are valuedIf any further information is required, please contact Federationhr@katesgrove.reading.sch.uk or visit: www.thekennetfederation.co.uk or call 0118 937 5533Visits to the school are welcomed and encouraged, Applications will be considered on receiptClosing date: Sunday 21st June 2026Interview date: TBCWe reserve the right to close the vacancy early if suitable candidates are found.This school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The appointment will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check, appropriate references and health clearance.The Kennet Federation aspires to be an actively anti-racist organisation. We recognise our aspiration as ongoing, involving collective commitment and accountability. We welcome employees who are committed to and will actively contribute to our efforts to celebrate our cultural diversity and be resolute in advancing inclusion and equity. We encourage candidates who share our ambition to apply, and we welcome applications from those with protected characteristics. - Commit to ongoing professional development and training

What the school offers its staff

We can offer:
- A welcoming, supportive and collaborative team
- Friendly, enthusiastic pupils who make every day meaningful
- Opportunities for training and development, including safeguarding and digital‑skills training
- A varied and rewarding role within our growing Federation
- Access to our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support wellbeing
- A workplace where kindness, professionalism and humour are valued

If any further information is required, please contact Federationhr@katesgrove.reading.sch.uk or visit: www.thekennetfederation.co.uk or call 0118 937 5533

Visits to the school are welcomed and encouraged, Applications will be considered on receipt

Closing date: Sunday 21st June 2026
Interview date: TBC

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if suitable candidates are found.

This school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The appointment will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check, appropriate references and health clearance.

The Kennet Federation aspires to be an actively anti-racist organisation. We recognise our aspiration as ongoing, involving collective commitment and accountability. We welcome employees who are committed to and will actively contribute to our efforts to celebrate our cultural diversity and be resolute in advancing inclusion and equity. We encourage candidates who share our ambition to apply, and we welcome applications from those with protected characteristics.

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.
Visas cannot be sponsored.
If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.

Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.

Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children

You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.

Applying for the job

Apply for the job by following the link below.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

View advert on school website (opens in new tab)

Additional documents

If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.

About Southcote Primary School

School type
Local authority maintained schools, Does not apply, ages 4 to 11
Education phase
Primary school
School size
553 pupils enrolled
Age range
4 to 11
Ofsted report
View Ofsted report

Arranging a visit to Southcote Primary School

To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email jason.owen@reading.gov.uk.

School location

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