Junior School Receptionist (Mornings)

The Junior School

The Junior School, for boys aged 7-11, is a happy and highly successful part of one of the country’s leading independent day schools. It currently has 138 pupils in eight forms. Although the school has grown in recent years, the intimate size helps to create a family-like atmosphere, where boys demonstrate a spirit of respect and tolerance. We aim to provide an education which enables each boy to acquire an independent and searching mind, to develop a broad range of extra-curricular interests, and to take pleasure in the life of ideas. Key dispositions such as kindness, perseverance, resilience and teamwork underpin all aspects of Junior School life.

The Role

Magdalen College School is seeking to appoint a flexible and experienced Receptionist to provide a professional, efficient and friendly welcome to all visitors to the Junior School.

The main duties of the post will include, but not be restricted to, the following:

• Responsibility for Junior School Reception, ensuring the environment projects the best possible image of MCS to all coming in
• Acting as the ‘front-of-house’ to all visitors, providing a friendly welcome, whilst ensuring School policy is followed regarding security of all callers
• Overseeing pupil registration
• Ensuring telephone calls are answered promptly and messages forwarded
• Responsibility for creating our weekly JSJ (Junior School Journal) publication to parents
• Providing assistance with photocopying and preparation of general resources
• General administration tasks

The Candidate

The ideal candidate will have/possess the following:

• A keen interest in the welfare of pupils and show clear commitment to safeguarding children;
• Demonstrable experience in a similar role
• Previous experience of working in a school would be desirable, but not essential
• Reliability, resilience and stamina
• Accuracy and thorough attention to detail, as well as excellent organisational skills
• Excellent inter-personal and communication skills, along with a diplomatic and discreet approach
• Proficient use of Microsoft programmes, including Word, Outlook, Powerpoint and Excel
• The ability to maintain a high work-rate and to cope with a range of tasks and competing priorities
• Excellent command of written and spoken English
• A good telephone manner and ability to deal with visitors and callers in a calm and courteous way
• An enjoyment of working in the company of children, and of participating fully in the life of the School.
• A high level of personal integrity, honesty, and enthusiasm.
• Excellent attention to detail
• An understanding of the ethos of independent schools

Application Process

Candidates should submit the following two documents to the Recruitment Officer, Miss Yelena Molcanova (recruitment@mcsoxford.org), which can be found on the Job Vacancy link of the website (www.mcsoxford.org). To access Click here.

1. “MCS Application Form for Teaching and Support Staff” Form
2. CV (Curriculum Vitae)

All documentation should be sent no later than Monday 7th October, at midday; early applications are highly encouraged. Any applicants who submit just a CV will be automatically rejected. The school’s preferred method of communication is by email and it will not be necessary to send a hard copy of the documents by post.

References may be taken up in advance. If you do not wish references to be called for at this stage, please make that clear on the reference section of the application form.

We anticipate holding interviews on Thursday 10th October, however, we reserve the right to interview before this. We will be in contact with shortlisted candidates by telephone. Please be aware that all shortlisted candidates will be requested to complete a “Self-Disclosure” form before attending their interview.

Equal Opportunities

Magdalen College School recognises and is committed to ensuring applicants and employees from all sections of the community are treated equally regardless of race, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief, gender reassignment, marital and civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity. We welcome applications from all sections of the community.

Safeguarding Policy

Magdalen College School is committed to the safeguarding of pupils, and any offer of employment will be subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure, the receipt of satisfactory references, the school’s pre-employment medical questionnaire, plus sight of relevant original ID documentation and degree certificate(s). This role will be in regulated activity and will require a children’s barred list check as well as an enhanced DBS check. The enhanced DBS check is due to this role being exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

Hours of Work

The Candidates will be required to work mornings in the following pattern: 08:00-12:45 Monday-Friday, each week during term time (approx. 34 weeks). The total weekly hours will be 23hrs 45 minutes. The appointment will be term-time only plus Inset days. It is anticipated that the two job-share Receptionists will form a flexible team, ensuring the Reception desk is covered at all times during the School day.

Remuneration and Benefits

The position attracts a salary of £13,477 per annum.

Non-teaching staff are automatically enrolled in the school’s contributory Group Pension Scheme. This is a defined contribution pension scheme into which the employee contributes 5% of gross salary and the employer contributes 10%.

The school has a fully equipped gym which is available for staff use, and staff may also enjoy access to the University of Oxford’s Rosenblatt Swimming Pool. Tennis courts are available, and there is a comprehensive programme of staff sports clubs, including football, climbing, yoga, Pilates, and badminton. Staff also have the opportunity to join choirs and music groups, and to get involved in drama productions. Staff socials, guest nights and Master’s Drinks are regular features of each term.

There is a wide range of benefits on offer to staff, including a free lunch during term time and school holidays for all year-round staff, free private health insurance, free mortgage advice, complimentary use of school sports facilities as well as free entry into Oxford Botanical Gardens. Head to mcsoxford.org/vacancies to find out more.