Office Manager – Independent Secondary School – Reading

Start Date: As soon as possible
Contract: Full-time Permanent
Salary: Paid to scale

This is a well-established Independent Secondary School in Reading providing a broad education for students across Key Stages 3 4 and 5.

The school combines high academic expectations with a strong focus on personal development student wellbeing and extracurricular opportunities. Students are encouraged to become confident responsible and independent members of the school community.

The school has a well-established administrative structure with the main office providing an important link between students parents staff senior leaders and external contacts.

The successful Office Manager will become a key member of this structure ensuring that administrative processes are organised efficient and responsive.

The school promotes a professional and collaborative culture and values staff who demonstrate initiative reliability and strong communication skills.

The school is looking to appoint an experienced Office Manager to oversee the daily operation of its busy school office.

The successful candidate will coordinate administrative tasks support colleagues manage communication and ensure that important office procedures are completed efficiently.

The role requires someone who can manage competing priorities and remain organised throughout a busy school day.

You will communicate regularly with parents pupils teachers senior leaders visitors and external organisations so professionalism and confidence are essential.

• Oversee the day-to-day operation of the school office.

• Coordinate administrative workloads and priorities.

• Support senior leaders with administrative tasks.

• Manage telephone calls and incoming correspondence.

• Respond to emails and general enquiries.

• Welcome parents visitors and external professionals.

• Ensure reception and visitor procedures are followed.

• Maintain accurate pupil and school records.

• Manage electronic and paper filing systems.

• Support admissions and new pupil administration.

• Assist with attendance-related administration.

• Organise meetings and appointments.

• Support school events and administrative arrangements.

• Prepare letters reports and correspondence.

• Monitor administrative deadlines.

• Coordinate stationery and office supplies.

• Liaise with suppliers and service providers.

• Support staff with general administrative requirements.

• Maintain confidentiality when dealing with sensitive information.

• Support safeguarding procedures within the school office.

• Assist with staff recruitment administration where required.

• Support staff onboarding processes.

• Ensure databases remain accurate and up to date.

• Identify opportunities to improve office procedures.

• Work closely with the School Business Manager and senior leadership.

• Support the wider administration team during busy periods.

The successful candidate will have previous experience in office management senior administration or school administration.

You should be confident coordinating a busy office and managing several priorities simultaneously.

Excellent communication skills are essential because you will regularly deal with parents staff students and external contacts.

You should be proactive dependable and able to identify tasks that need attention without constant supervision.

Previous experience within education would be beneficial although strong office managers from other sectors will be considered.

• Previous Office Manager or Senior Administrator experience.

• Strong organisational and coordination skills.

• Excellent written and verbal communication.

• Strong Microsoft Office skills.

• Excellent attention to detail.

• Ability to manage competing priorities.

• Professional and approachable manner.

• Ability to maintain confidential information.

• Strong teamwork skills.

• Ability to work independently.

• Experience coordinating administrative staff is desirable.

• Previous school experience is advantageous.

• Understanding of safeguarding responsibilities.

• Ability to work calmly under pressure.

• Full-time permanent employment.

• Professional independent-school environment.

• Supportive senior leadership.

• Established administration team.

• Modern school facilities.

• Professional development opportunities.

• Varied office-management responsibilities.

• Collaborative staff culture.

• Opportunity to play an important role in the schools daily operation.

To apply for the Office Manager position please send your CV as soon as possible.