Interview tips for a school admin role

[Frankrosie1]

I need some tips please. Difficult situations, how to handle difficult parents/students. I know these questions are going to come up. Any tips on how to beat answer them?

[cauliflowersqueeze]

Health and safety priority 1 (immediate danger like broken glass etc)
Broader child safeguarding (parent comes in to say she suspects another child is being abused) priority 2 (assuming there is an immediate H+S issue presenting simultaneously) - refer to designated safeguarding lead.

If in doubt say that you would seek advice and/or follow the school policy.

They will want to know you are flexible and friendly and calm and positive.

[cauliflowersqueeze]

Difficult parents - stay calm. Ask them to sit down (harder for people to be angry when seated).
Difficult students - at secondary I’m assuming? Try to be kind and positive but also still tell them if they are being rude that you aren’t going to be spoken to like that and refer to their Head of Year or senior leadership team.

[Frankrosie1]

Thanks for your help

[SandunesAndRainclouds]

In my school admin interview, my questions were all values based. Tell me about a time when... type questions. I also had word / excel tasks. Good luck!

[jenthelibrarian]

Having worked in a secondary school [I'll let you guess in what sort of role...] I'd like to wish you luck.
And, with absolutely no disrespect meant, have a think about dealing with difficult teachers, senior admin staff and governors too.
Non-teaching roles in schools can be a joy but have nightmare aspects, too.

[ArabellaDoreenFig]

Hi OP

it’s also worth thinking about what specific skills you can offer - can you use G4S/(whatever software package the school uses) or do mail merges etc.

And mention GDPR and destroying confidential waste properly.

Good luck !