Receptionist & Admin Assistant
Ferndown Middle School, Ferndown, Dorset, BH22 9UP20 days remaining to apply
Job start date
7 December 2026
Closing date
1 November 2026 at 9am
Date listed
12 October 2026
Job details
Job role
- Administration, HR, data and finance
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Part time: 34.75 hours per week, (Monday, Tuesday & Thursday 8:15am - 4:30pm, Wednesday & Friday 8:15am - 2:30pm)
Contract type
- Fixed term - 1 Year - Maternity or parental leave cover
Full time equivalent salary
- £26,427 per annum
Actual salary
- £20,667 per annum
What skills and experience we're looking for
Receptionist & Admin Assistant – Ferndown Middle School
£26,427 per annum (full time equivalent); actual salary for part-time, term-time only working: £20,667 per annum
34.75 hours per week, (Monday, Tuesday & Thursday 8:15am - 4:30pm, Wednesday & Friday 8:15am - 2:30pm)
Term-time only
Fixed term for 1 Year (maternity cover)
Every school has a first hello.
It's the warm welcome at the reception desk, the reassuring voice on the phone, the helping hand offered when someone needs support. It's where pupils, families, staff and visitors experience the school's values in action from the moment they walk through the door.
At Ferndown Middle School, we're looking for a Receptionist & Admin Assistant who will play a vital role at the heart of our school community. As the first point of contact for many people, you'll help create a positive, safe and welcoming environment while ensuring the school office runs smoothly and efficiently behind the scenes.
What you'll do
Welcome pupils, parents, staff and visitors, ensuring everyone receives a professional, friendly and supportive experience.
Manage the busy reception area, handling enquiries, telephone calls and visitors in line with school safeguarding and security procedures.
Provide high-quality administrative support, maintaining accurate records and supporting key school processes including attendance, communication and pupil information.
Assist with the organisation of school events, meetings and activities, helping the wider school community stay connected and informed.
Contribute to a calm, organised and efficient environment that enables staff to focus on what matters most: helping children thrive.
Who you are
Kind, approachable and child-centred, with a genuine commitment to helping children, families and colleagues feel welcomed and supported.
Calm and organised, able to prioritise competing demands and maintain a positive approach in a busy school environment.
A confident communicator who builds positive relationships with pupils, parents, staff and external partners.
Professional, discreet and trustworthy, with the ability to handle confidential information appropriately.
Comfortable using ICT systems and administrative software, with excellent attention to detail and a willingness to learn.
Flexible, proactive and collaborative, always ready to support the wider team and contribute to the life of the school.
What the school offers its staff
About us:
Ferndown Middle School is a vibrant and caring school serving children in Years 5–8. We pride ourselves on knowing our pupils well, setting high expectations and creating an environment where children feel safe, supported and excited to learn. Our staff work closely together, support one another and share a strong sense of purpose - and we believe that schools work best when everyone feels valued and included.
Our curriculum is ambitious, supportive and constantly evolving, and we are proud of the strong relationships that underpin all we do.
Why join us?
The chance to make a huge difference in the lives of young people, one small victory at a time.
A school culture built on care, collaboration and a genuine belief in helping every child shine.
You will be part of an inclusive and collaborative team that, no matter what the challenge may be, are ready to face it head on and are committed to seeing it through.
Free access to the Employee Assistance Programme and our Cycle to Work Scheme.
The opportunity to develop your career in a School, and within the Southern Education Trust - a growing Trust where our mission is “making lives better” and our values are kindness, collaboration and creativity.
If you like welcoming everyone in, keeping the day on track, and being the calm, capable presence behind those “it’s all sorted now” moments, this could be the role for you.
Further information about the job
Visits to the School:
If you would like to visit the school, please contact the school office on 01202 876556 or email office@fernmid.dorset.sch.uk
Closing date: 1st November 2026
Interview date: w/c 9th November 2026
Please note: Applications may be viewed on receipt and interviews arranged sooner than the above date.
Become part of our journey by completing our Application Form and returning it to recruitment@southern.education if you would like to apply (please see Job Description, and Safeguarding Children Policy for further information).
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Isabel at the recruitment address, who will be happy to assist you.
Commitment to safeguarding
The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, this role involves directly working with children and significant contact with children, and therefore we expect all staff and volunteers to share the same commitment. Please ensure a full work history is completed in your application form including any gaps of employment. Applicants will be required to complete satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check for this post prior to commencement. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974. The Trust is an equal opportunities employer.
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 Ferndown Middle School
- Organisation type
- Academy, ages 9 to 13
- Education phase
- Secondary school
- Size
- 600 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 9 to 13
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- Email address
- recruitment@southern.education
Ferndown Middle School is located in Ferndown alongside Ferndown First and Ferndown Upper Schools and serves up to 600 pupils aged 9 to 13 (Years 5 to 8). The school is part of the Southern Education Trust, whose vision is "making lives better" for children, young people, and the communities it serves.
The Trust’s values of Kindness, Collaboration, and Creativity are at the heart of everything we do and shape the culture of our schools.
Our staff bring this vision to life by creating positive, inclusive learning environments where pupils grow into confident individuals, successful learners, and responsible citizens. As part of Southern Education Trust, colleagues benefit from a supportive, forward-thinking community that values collaboration, wellbeing, and professional development.
School location
Similar jobs nearby
Get a job alert when similar jobs are listed
Find more school jobs in Dorset, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole