// ai receptionist · school
AI receptionist for your school
Callers to a school ring about reporting an absence, admissions enquiries and term dates and school day. LineHQ's AI receptionist answers in your name within a couple of seconds, asks the questions you would ask, takes the name and number, and passes on a message a person can act on. It never quotes a price you have not given it, and a real emergency gets the right advice, not a sales pitch.
// the short answer
The AI receptionist is included on the Reception plan: 60 minutes included, about 30 answered calls, then prepaid minute bundles or 15p a minute. Pick the School starter pack on the Knowledge page and it knows your trade's questions before you have typed a word.
Last reviewed October 2026
Reporting an absence
Letting the school know a child will not be in today, with the reason and when they are expected back.
Admissions enquiries
Questions about applying for a place, in-year transfers and visiting the school. The office will explain the process.
Term dates and school day
When term starts and ends, inset days and the times the school day begins and finishes.
Uniform
What pupils wear, where to buy it and what to do about lost property.
// what it asks
The questions a school would ask, asked for you
The starter pack gives the receptionist your trade's triage questions and the signs that a call is urgent. An urgent call gets the caller's name and number first and a promise that a person will ring back straight away.
They are reporting a child absent
It asks, one at a time: "What is your child's full name, and which class or year group are they in?" "What is the reason for the absence?" "When do you expect them back in school?"
They are asking about admissions or a place
It asks, one at a time: "Which year group is it for, and when would your child start?" "Is this a new application or a move from another school?" "What is the best number to ring you back on?"
They want to pass a message to a teacher or member of staff
It asks, one at a time: "Who is the message for, and what is your child's name?" "What would you like me to tell them?" "Is there a particular time that suits you for a call back?"
They are asking about a club, a trip or a payment
It asks, one at a time: "Which club or trip is it, and what is your child's name and class?" "Is it about signing up, a payment or a consent form?"
Frequently asked questions
A caller asks: "My child is ill and will not be in today, who do I tell?"
The receptionist says: "You can tell me now. Give me your child's name, their class or year group, the reason and when you expect them back, and I will pass it to the office."
A caller asks: "How do I apply for a place at the school?"
The receptionist says: "The office will explain how admissions work and when to apply. Leave your details and someone will ring you back."
A caller asks: "Do you have any places in a particular year group?"
The receptionist says: "I cannot say over the phone. Tell me the year group you are asking about and the office will ring you back."
A caller asks: "When does term start and finish?"
The receptionist says: "The term dates are on the school website and in the newsletter. If you need them read out, I will ask the office to ring you back."
A caller asks: "Can I visit the school before applying?"
The receptionist says: "Usually yes. Leave your name and number and the office will tell you when the next visits are."
A caller asks: "What is the uniform and where do I buy it?"
The receptionist says: "The uniform list and the supplier are on the school website. If you are unsure about something, the office can help when they ring back."
A caller asks: "Can I take my child out of school for a holiday?"
The receptionist says: "Leave of absence in term time has to be requested from the head teacher. The office will explain how to put the request in."
A caller asks: "How do I pay for a trip or school dinners?"
The receptionist says: "Payments are made through the school's online payment system. If you have not got your login details, the office can help."
What will it never do for a school?
It never handles confirming whether a place is available, giving out information about another child, medical advice about a poorly child and authorising time off in term time. Anything it cannot answer becomes a message with the caller's name and number.
How much does the AI receptionist cost?
It is included on the Reception plan: 60 minutes included, about 30 answered calls. After that you can buy a prepaid bundle of minutes or pay 15p a minute from calling credit. Scale includes 200 minutes, about 100 answered calls.
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