Job Introduction

The Receptionist is responsible for front of house matters, and for assisting, as required, with administrative matters. As the first point of contact for the school, the receptionist should be welcoming, personable, helpful and able to represent the school in a professional and friendly manner both in-person and on the telephone. 

The successful candidate would also need to be organised, able to multi-task, work flexibly and have a ‘can do’ approach to work, as the role is varied. In addition, they will also line manage the Gap Students who are primarily based in the Reception area.

Role Responsibility

Line managed by the PA to the Master, the successful candidate will:

Front of House

• Answer the telephone and deal with general queries
• Greet visitors in a professional and helpful manner, ensuring they are signed in and briefed on health and safety, Safeguarding and fire procedures on arrival

Administration

• Ensure daily pupil attendance registers are completed correctly, with notes and keeping track of absences and boys arriving or leaving between registers, reporting to the Deputy Master where there are concerns. Logging boys who are off-games, as required
• Receive deliveries and post. Sort post ready for distribution to staff
• Manage Lost Property (assisted by the Gap Students) 
• Provide general administrative support to Registrar and Master’s PA as required (e.g. setting up for Parent Evenings, internal school events, drama productions, etc.)
• Administration and data input on our Management Information System as directed by members of the Senior Management Team
• Assistance to the Registrar with administration, as needed
• Prepare staff and pupil registers in case of fire or fire drill evacuation and distribute as necessary

Admissions

• Assist with Open Day and Assessment Morning preparations
• Attend all Open Mornings and Assessment Mornings
• Answer calls in relation to open mornings and registration process at 7+, 8+ and 11+ to assist the Registrar, where time allows

Facilities Management

• Ensure the School’s photocopiers are working and stocked for use (paper, toner, staples etc.)
• Liaise with the Assistant Master (Extra-Curricular) to notify the Estates Bursar and Works Department of any problems / faults with School facilities and arrange maintenance work;
• Where applicable liaise with School Caretaker for smaller, more immediate work

Displays

• Oversee display boards across the School, which need updating, reminding staff where they need to be changed, achieve a consistency of approach or to meet previously agreed standards
• Assist with displays where time allows, coordinating and advising other members of staff
• Create and assist with whole-school signage
• Order, store and audit relevant materials for displays 

The Ideal Candidate

Please refer to the below (attached) person specification.

Equal Opportunities

We are an equal opportunities employer. We therefore encourage candidates to apply irrespective of age, disability, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion and belief, gender identity, sex or sexual orientation.

Safeguarding and Child Protection

Westminster Under School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Package Description

Required for: as soon as possible

Location: Vincent Square - Westminster Under School

Contract: full-time (term-time only), permanent

Hours of work: 07.50 – 16.50 (term-time only) as well as School INSET days, occasional open events on Saturdays and up to two days before terms start.

Salary: £23,964.76 - £25,462.56 pro rata equating to an FTE of £32,000 - £34,000 per annum.

Benefits include:

 - Free school meals when on-site

 - Generous School pension scheme and 

 - Free access to the School’s leisure facilities, including a fitness gym (restricted hours). 

 - Cycle to Work Scheme and season ticket loans following completion of our standard probation period 

 - Private medical insurance (opt in).

For this role, there is no fixed closing date. Applications will be considered on receipt and interviews may occur at any stage.

About the School

Working at Westminster Under School

Westminster Under School is a busy, purposeful and vibrant place to be and an excellent workplace. The community is made up of 292 pupils, 43 teaching staff and 50 support staff.

Westminster Under School is a friendly and welcoming place to work. There is a real sense of community here and staff members quickly become part of the rhythm of life, both inside and outside the classroom. Social events are regular and varied, with plenty of opportunity to socialise outside working hours. Support staff as much as teaching staff are encouraged to embrace the School’s day-to-day activities, whether that be attending a concert or a sports fixture.

At Westminster we will always select the best candidate for every position. We do know, however, that we can only truly choose the best person on every occasion if a broad and diverse pool of candidates see the job advertised and are encouraged to apply.

As such, we continue to work on how our job roles are encountered, and particularly welcome applications from groups who have traditionally been underrepresented here.

Westminster Under School is for everyone, regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation or any other protected characteristic. We hope you are encouraged to apply.

The School

Westminster Under School is a happy, ambitious, nurturing and inspiring world-class preparatory education for seven to 13 year olds. Pupils who love to learn are offered a supportive, dynamic and inspirational environment to fuel their curiosity. 

Located in the heart of London, the School overlooks the beautiful school playing fields in Vincent Square and is just a few moments’ walk from Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament. It is closely connected to Westminster School; in 1943, Westminster expanded its educational scope by forming the Under School, and the two schools share the same Governing Body and the same ethos of a liberal education. 

Westminster Under School's curriculum is broad and diverse, aiming to foster a sense of wonder and inquisitiveness in children and encourage independent thought. The teaching programme goes above and beyond the National Curriculum and teachers are not tightly bound by syllabus. Pupils are taught a wide range of subjects by expert teachers who embrace opportunities for growth and promote diverse thinking, and who encourage them to ask questions about the world around them. 

While the School's standard of our education is of the highest quality, the School’s focus is not only on academic achievement. Westminster pupils receive a full and rounded education that includes sport, the arts and many opportunities to engage in community outreach; pupils frequently take part in concerts, plays and in both internal and external competitions, and the School hosts festivals and events throughout the year. Like its older counterpart, Westminster Under School is fully committed to each pupil’s spiritual, moral, emotional and physical development and wellbeing – with a particular emphasis on drawing out individual talent wherever it lies – and to prepare young people for fulfilled private and public lives.

From September 2026, Westminster Under School will have opened its brand new pre-prep for girls and boys at 4+ and girls will have joined boys in Years 3 and 7, at the 7+ and 11+ entry points. By 2030, with the introduction of girls into Year 9 at Westminster School in 2028, all year groups across the two schools, from ages four to 18, will be fully co-educational, reflecting the School’s dedication to inclusivity and excellence. 

Westminster School