School Secretary/ Receptionist

We are looking for an enthusiastic and unflappable Receptionist/ Secretary to act as the initial point of contact for the School, providing a warm welcome to all visitors, incoming callers, families and staff. Possessing impeccable manners and presentation, you will also assist with the smooth and organised administrative service of the School Office, contributing to the effective running of the School.

The School

St Christopher’s School is an independent day prep school for 260 girls aged 4 to 11. It was founded in 1883 by an enthusiastic educationalist, Miss Roberts, based in her father’s drawing room. It started as a mixed school; by 1950 it had become primarily a girls’ school. It became known as St Christopher’s School in 1919 when it moved to its current site.

Anyone who has stepped through the gates of St Christopher’s School knows that with its grand wooden staircase, bright open classrooms and constant sense of creativity and warmth, it is, quite simply, magical. There is a welcome balance between the girls reading and singing in the cosy halls of this Victorian house and playing and experimenting in our modern outside classrooms, mud kitchen and playgrounds.

Our staff aim to achieve a balance between creative imagination and academic thinking that spills out from our structured classroom environment into all elements of school life. We not only teach the girls to learn new concepts and problem-solving skills, but enable them to become analytical thinkers who, in all subjects, confidently push the boundaries of learning by asking questions that perhaps have yet to be asked. 

The Staff

Kindness, thoughtfulness and inclusion are key values in our school. St Christopher’s is an ambitious and warm community created through an equal love of intellectual fascination and freedom of creativity. Just like our pupils, our staff are celebrated as individuals; they feel supported and challenged, they thrive and are encouraged to be the best version of themselves today and tomorrow. We have an extensive professional development programme and actively encourage colleagues to seek new challenges and training opportunities.

All staff contribution is valued and encouraged at St Christopher’s, whether in staff meetings, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion forum, or the Staff Consultative Committee. Admin and teaching staff work closely together, supporting our ethos of inclusion and transparency.

The successful St Christopher’s candidate will offer:

 • Impeccable manners and presentation

• Excellent command of written and spoken English, and a good standard of numeracy

• Exceptional interpersonal skills and the confidence to communicate effectively with colleagues, parents and children

• Strong ICT skills

• Attention to detail

• A flexible and pro-active can-do attitude

• The ability to work in a team and independently

• Relevant experience in a similar role

• Commitment to the School and its ethos

 St Christopher’s offers:

• A culture of engagement and trust, where staff contributions are recognised and valued

• A passionate and motivated team of professionals who put children at the heart of decision-making

• Support and encouragement for professional development

• Excellent location in leafy Hampstead

• Free school lunches during term-time

• Cycle to work scheme

Application Process

For full details, please press Quick Apply and refer to the attached documents.

Closing Date

All applications to be received by 4pm on Wednesday 31 July 2024

Interviews

Interviews will take place in the weeks commencing 5 August and possibly 12 August 2024

We reserve the right to call suitable candidates for interview before the closing date

Terms

The School is committed to safeguarding children within its welfare.

The appointment is subject to at least two satisfactory references, receipt of Enhanced DBS [Disclosure and Barring Service] disclosure, verification of identity and qualifications, satisfactory medical fitness, evidence of the right to work in the UK and DfE prohibition checks. Additional overseas checks will be required for candidates who have lived or worked outside the UK.

St Christopher’s School adheres to the Data Protection Act 2018. We will obtain information about you including any criminal convictions you may have. All information will be kept confidential and it will only be used to process your application. If your application is unsuccessful, all your information will be deleted from our systems and disposed of in a secure manner.

The School is an equal opportunities employer.

www.stchristophers.london