What's working in a school office like ?

[Hello1290]

I am thinking of applying to work in a secondary school office. I know school jobs are like gold dust so there will be lots of applicants. Can anyone tell me if they enjoy working in this environment. Is it stressful and do schools usually have an applicant in mind but invite applications from everyone only because they have to.
I have office experience but not in a school just want to get an idea of whether I would be wasting my time before I spend time applying.

I work in a school, but not in the office. I hope you have a thick skin - the way some parents speak to reception/office staff (and teachers), in person and over the phone, is disgusting.

Are you sure it's term time if that's what you are wanting? At all the schools I have worked for, it's all year round for reception/office staff.

But saying that, I am not in the main school office/reception but they look to have a good time and it's generally a lovely atmosphere!

Definitely term time plus 3 extra days. Armi - I did wonder about parents that's terrible behaviour.

I work in a school office (Primary) and it is manic. It's non stop from the minute I come in. People think it's an easy number because of the holidays but it never stops when you're there.

On top of all the administration work, newsletters, class letters, money for trips etc we also have to do First Aid, wipe tears and deal with parents.

Maybe it's just where I work but the phone never stops ringing. No one reads the newsletters you spent 5 hours putting together and printing and distributing, they just ring the office instead.

In saying that I do love my job and the children make it all worth while. I cry every year when our Year 6s leave and I love seeing the new little Year Rs every September, they are gorgeous.

I do have a thick skin though. I'm at an age where I tend to let most things go over my head!

I work in a primary office.... I love it!

I work 39 weeks (term time plus inset days) now, my previous role I was 40 weeks to cover a couple of days at the beginning and end of the school year.

It is a challenging role and the worst part is how some of the parents treat you but I think you have less contact with them in a secondary.

The school will be looking for a sense of humour, the ability to multi task, the patience of a saint, and willingness to do almost anything (I’ve even been known to fix a toilet cistern..... )

I’m always busy and often end up working more than my hours, especially if I’ve been tied up with lots of first aid or problem children but I find the job very fulfilling and have great colleagues. Most of our children are an absolute delight and I can honestly say I love my job.

Im a school secretary. Very busy primary. One day off a week snd when im in the following day i find money on my desk and no post-it to say what it is. Letters to type and hand out, school dinner money to sort and bank but SIMS makes that so easy. Love it!

Honestly I hated it you’re over worked and massively under paid.... and the people I worked with were bitches.... sorry! 🙈

Thanks for all your comments they are very helpful. I'm still thinking about whether to apply or not.

My best friend works in a school office.
Manic from start to finish and her biggest pain is the parents; often and frequently bringing in unwell children and generally being incompetent and ignorant.

You need to have a thick skin and be prepared for stress.

I work in a primary school office. Very busy, most parents and the children are lovely but as others have said some parents are awful. If you can put up with that it's a great job.

I work in a primary school office and find it very busy and quite stressful for really shite pay. I think it changes so much from school to school though. I have a very overbearing, micro managing school business manager who won’t just let us get on with it. I also feel quite resentful as I came from a background with lots of relevant and useful experience but hardly get to use it, I think because they don’t want to pay me more! Parents are rude and children constantly interrupt you. I’m not going back after mat leave