Receptionist & Administrative Officer
Hamilton School, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 5SG22 days remaining to apply
Closing date
30 September 2026 at 11:59pm
Date listed
8 September 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
- £22,582.00 Annually (Actual) Grade 4 SCP 7 working 37 hours per week Term Time only plus 5 INSET days ( FTE 26,402) Plus a SEN allowance £1,538.711
Receptionist & Administrative Officer job summary
Are you an organised and professional administrator who enjoys working with people and making a positive difference every day?
Hamilton School is seeking a Receptionist & Administration Officer to provide efficient, effective and confidential reception and administrative support. This is a varied role at the centre of school life, ensuring the smooth day-to-day operation of front-of-house and administrative services that support pupils, staff, parents, carers and visitors. [
As the first point of contact for many stakeholders, you will help create a welcoming, safe and well-organised environment while supporting key school functions including admissions, attendance, welfare, communications and educational visits. Your work will contribute directly to the effective operation of the school and support positive outcomes for students.
As a Disability Confident employer, we want to ensure everyone can perform at their best when applying to work with us. If you need any support with your application or adjustments during the selection process, please contact our People Team by emailing hr@maidenerleghtrust.org or calling 0118 929 6020.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Provide high-quality reception and administrative support to ensure the efficient operation of school services and support teaching and learning activities across the school.
- Act as a professional first point of contact for pupils, parents, carers, staff, visitors and external agencies, ensuring enquiries are managed promptly and appropriately.
- Maintain accurate pupil records, information systems and administrative processes to support school operations, reporting requirements and statutory compliance.
- Support safeguarding, student welfare, attendance, first aid and health-related processes, helping to maintain a safe environment for students and visitors.
- Coordinate and support admissions, educational visits, school events, communications and wider operational activities.
- Ensure confidentiality, safeguarding, health and safety, equality and data protection requirements are consistently maintained.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
- NVQ Level 2 qualification or equivalent.
- Competent in the use of Microsoft Office applications and administrative systems.
- Experience of using a school Management Information System (MIS) or similar would be advantageous.
- Able to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders and build positive professional relationships.
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise competing demands and maintain accuracy in a busy environment.
- Committed to maintaining confidentiality and handling sensitive information appropriately.
- Able to work collaboratively, use initiative and adapt to changing priorities.
- Committed to safeguarding, promoting the welfare of children and supporting a safe learning environment.
Hamilton School
Hamilton School in Reading is a place of opportunity, belonging and growth for young people aged 11-16. As a special school within Maiden Erlegh Trust, it provides a highly supportive environment for students who benefit from smaller classes, strong relationships and personalised approaches that help them learn, develop confidence and succeed in life.
Every day at Hamilton is different. Staff work closely as a team to spark curiosity, celebrate progress and help students build the skills they need for the future. The school moved into its purpose-built home on Bulmershe Road in 2022, a modern and welcoming space designed around the needs of its learners.
Hamilton supports students with social, emotional and mental health needs and is recognised for its expertise, teamwork and impact, including a Pride of Reading Award nomination from parents.
The Hamilton team is united by commitment and compassion, and colleagues describe the staff team as exceptional in how they support one another and their students. As part of the Trust’s Special and Alternative Provision Hub, colleagues connect across schools to share practice, develop professionally and access strong wellbeing support.
ABOUT MAIDEN ERLEGH TRUST
Maiden Erlegh Trust is a growing community of schools across Berkshire and Oxfordshire, working together to deliver the best possible education for every child and young person. With around 800 staff and 5000 students across nine schools, including primary, secondary, special, and alternative provision, we are proud of the diversity that shapes our expertise.
We Aim High, Be Inclusive, and Work Together. These values drive our focus on high-quality education for all, through collaboration, inclusion, and continuous improvement.
Through the Maiden Erlegh Institute, colleagues access high-quality professional learning at every stage of their career, supported by mentoring, leadership opportunities, and our annual MET Staff Conference—a day that unites our whole team in sharing best practice and learning.
Joining our Trust means being part of a community that invests in people and values expertise; it is about playing a direct role in shaping the lives and outcomes of young people.
You can learn more about working with us and hear from colleagues across our Trust by clicking here to visit our website.
Benefits of Working with Maiden Erlegh Trust
Staff wellbeing and professional development are central to how we work. Colleagues benefit from a wide range of opportunities and schemes, including:
Pension Scheme - Generous employer contributions through the Teachers’ Pension Scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme
Annual Leave - Generous entitlement, increasing with length of service
ME Day - One additional day’s leave each year for a significant personal event
Professional Development - Extensive CPD through the Maiden Erlegh Institute, annual Trust Conference and apprenticeship opportunities
Hybrid Working - Flexible working arrangements for eligible roles
Perkbox - Discounts, wellbeing resources and monthly perk points
Wellbeing and Health - Free flu vaccinations and eye tests (where eligible)
Employee Assistance Programme - 24/7 support and discount schemes
Mental Health First Aid Support
Recognition and Community - Celebrating achievements and milestones across #TeamMET
Employee Referral Scheme
Working for our Trust means contributing to something larger by supporting the education and life chances of children and young people every day.
Additional Information
If you believe this is an environment where you can thrive, develop and make a meaningful contribution, please contact recruitment@maidenerleghtrust.org for an informal discussion.
Applicants are encouraged to apply early, as we reserve the right to close the advert and interview at any time.
Maiden Erlegh Trust is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.
Further information about the job
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
This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
View advert on external website (opens in new tab)About Hamilton School
- Organisation type
- Academy, ages 11 to 18
- Size
- 64 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- Website
- Hamilton School website
Hamilton School is special school based in Reading, catering for children in years 7-13 with SEMH.
School location
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