Non-teaching jobs in a school

[looseleaf]

Hi
I am trying to work out how to support our family more and don't want to go back to my previous job (publishing) as it wouldn't help us financially especially as our children are young (youngest 18 months).

Has anyone else managed to get an admin job in a school? I think this would suit me and our family most ideally when our youngest starts school and I think I'd enjoy the school environment but can anyone tell me more about it? There are 2 excellent private schools near us who say they advertise in the Times Educational Supplement (i think) and a less good state school.

And would I stand a chance of getting a job in a school from general office experience or do the best applicants already have school experience? I have plenty of office experience (and an Oxbridge degree).

Thanks if anyone has advice as feeling so keen to help financially but without being away from the children more than I have to as enjoy looking after them most of all

[JaneLane]

Most administration jobs at the school I work at aren't term time only - that's a secondary academy so maybe different at a primary or private schools.

I work as a careers adviser and really love my job - it's term time and fits in well around my family. Some people, like me, work just for one school and some work for local authorities. You do need to have a diploma in Careers Advice though - I got mine through distance learning and didn't find it too much work.

[Aranea]

JaneLane - do you mind my asking what course you did? I think that sounds like a great idea!

[annh]

But you will still need childcare for your youngest for the next 2.5 years and school admin doesn't pay particularly well. Also the admin roles tend to outlast the school day until 4.30 or 5 so you need some kind of after-school care. Do the sums carefully before deciding if moving from your current field will really contribute to your family finances.

[annh]

But you will still need childcare for your youngest for the next 2.5 years and school admin doesn't pay particularly well. Also the admin roles tend to outlast the school day until 4.30 or 5 so you need some kind of after-school care. Do the sums carefully before deciding if moving from your current field will really contribute to your family finances.

[Fallenangle]

OP, i wouldn't talk about schools as good or less good at interview if I were you. Admin jobs in schools fall into various categories but are usually in one of the following areas: clerical, secretarial, accountancy, reception, exam admin. Jobs often go to people with no school experience. Pay often isn't great but, in my experience, many jobs
in the state sector are term time. Look on the Council website, any vacancy bulletin circulated to schools in your area and the local press as well as the TES.

[looseleaf]

Thanks for the replies. Annh as I mentioned I'm probably going to wait until DS starts school due to the point you made about childcare costs. Luckily there are after school clubs every day finishing at 4.45 so I'd have to see if this works.
JaneLane that's inspiring and that you like your job! I hadn't thought of careers advice. I had considered school librarian positions though don't know if they'd come up (the nearest school has 2 librarians).

[JaneLane]

Arenea - I was working in a voluntary capacity at a youth charity doing careers advice and they helped me get my Level 3 qualification from the Open University and then we moved house and I started working at a university in their careers service and they helped me get my Level 4 and 6 qualification from the OU.

Each level took me about a year whilst working part time and having various numbers of children!

It is all worth it and a very very rewarding job!

[looseleaf]

Thanks FallenAngle. This is all helpful and I will be so glad if find a local term time job (in 2015 I worked out!! But at least I can get my eye in and understand a bit what to expect ...)

[Fallenangle]

Might be worthwhile asking for information packs for advertised jobs, even though you aren't intending to apply, to see the job description get a flavour of the person specs. Schools invariably produce these for the asking.
Or volunteer to help in a local school. Your publishing expertise will probably open doors. That will give you insight and a potential headteacher referee.

[Xmasbaby11]

If you have a publishing background, it's quite easy to do editing/writing from home. I do this in addition to teaching. If you're self employed you can manage your own hours.

[clarycat]

Hi Looseleaf. I did exactly what you want to do by getting a part time job in the office just doing dinner money and a few other bits for 2 mornings a week. Then my predecessor left and I took her role on 26ish hours a week.

I guess I got lucky! If there's anything I can tell you about the school office then just message me, but doing part time is usually the best way initially if you've no previous experience due to the systems etc.

[ConcreteElephant]

Hi Looseleaf, I'm a librarian (though not in a school) and can advise that most posts for school librarians require applicants to be professionally qualified. Many specify that applicants be chartered. Posts are usually term-time plus a few weeks in my experience. If you aren't qualified but are interested in the work, then you might consider looking out for a library assistant post, with a view to qualifying (if you wanted to) through certification. I hope this helps and good luck with your job search.