Office Manager - Southcote Primary School

Southcote Primary School, Reading, Berkshire, RG30 3EJ

14 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  As soon as possible

• Closing date

  31 August 2026 at 11:59pm

• Date listed

  17 August 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

8.30am to 4:30pm Monday to Thursday, 8.30am to 4.00pm Friday – Term time plus inset days, 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
- Commit to ongoing professional development and training

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

What the school offers its staff

We encourage you to provide clear examples of how your skills and experience relate to the criteria in the job description. Please note that only applications demonstrating this alignment will be considered.

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: Monday 31st August 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.

About Southcote Primary School

• Organisation type: Local authority maintained school, ages 4 to 11
• Education phase: Primary school
• Size: 528 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 4 to 11
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• Website: Southcote Primary School website
• Email address: jason.owen@reading.gov.uk
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/southcote-primary-school

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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