Receptionist, Education ​/ Teaching

We're looking for a friendly, organised and proactive School Receptionist to join the team at Wessex Lodge School. This is a fantastic opportunity to be right at the centre of school life-supporting pupils, parents, staff and visitors, and helping the school run smoothly every single day. As the first face and voice of the school, you'll play a vital role in creating a welcoming, calm and professional environment where everyone feels supported from the moment they arrive.

This is a varied, fast-paced and people-focused role, perfect for someone who thrives on interaction and enjoys variety. You'll manage the front-of-house experience while also providing essential administrative support to the wider team. No two days are the same—you might be welcoming visitors in the morning, supporting attendance processes at lunchtime, and assisting the admin team in the afternoon. You'll primarily be based at our Kilmington site, with flexibility to work across our three school sites when needed.

• Act as the first point of contact for the school, welcoming visitors and responding to telephone and email enquiries in a professional and helpful manner.
• Manage the reception area, ensuring it is welcoming, tidy and well organised at all times.
• Control access to the school premises, ensuring visitors sign in and follow site procedures.
• Communicate effectively with parents, professionals and visitors, receiving and passing on accurate information.
• Collate and maintain pupil absence information and ensure registration details are accurate and up to date.
• Maintain and update school records, databases and administrative systems, including contact and medical information.
• Support admissions-related processes, including handling enquiries from prospective families and assisting with school reports.
• Receive, sort and distribute incoming post and parcels, and manage outgoing mail.
• Keep staff notice boards and shared information displays up to date.
• Act as the point of contact for first aid administration and record accidents and incidents in line with school procedures.
• Support the administration team by providing cover and assistance when required.
• Maintain confidentiality of all information handled in the course of the role.
• Attend relevant training and apply school approaches consistently in day-to-day practice.
• Undertake any other reasonable duties appropriate to the role, as directed.

We're seeking someone who is approachable, organised and adaptable, with a genuine enjoyment of working with people.

• Experience in an office or administrative environment
• Confidence using IT systems, including email, word processing and telephone systems
• GCSEs (or equivalent) in Maths and English
• A full UK driving licence

This role is well suited to an organised, friendly and adaptable individual who enjoys working with people and contributing to the smooth day-to-day running of a busy school environment.

Wessex Lodge School currently comprises of three sites:
Wessex Lodge Primary School located in Kilmington, Wessex Lodge Secondary School located in Frome, and Newmead Farm, located in Maiden Bradley. All sites allow students the opportunity to explore the curriculum alongside a range of subject paths, including the likes of, animal care, horticulture, DT, and forest school, as well as sporting activities. Our students are aged between 6 and 18 years old.

Each student has individual needs and supported by the THRIVE approach, through a proven range of practitioner-led services and our talented staff, we can help to improve life outcomes for every student. The established staff team come from a variety of previous occupations and have a vast range of individual skills, which can be utilised, within this school. So, if you have an interest and/or qualifications in animal care, horticulture, construction, outdoor education, forestry or any other specific trade or hobby, we would love to hear from you!

Acorn Education is a leading UK provider of specialist education for children and young people with special educational needs. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are at the forefront of creating and delivering innovative approaches that support children and young people in our care to make meaningful progress. We are really proud to say that in 2025, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a Great Place to Work for the sixth year running.

Why join Acorn Education? We place the outcomes of the pupils and vulnerable young adults in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you'll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people.

All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
• Your Wellbeing Matters – access to a wide range of…