Anyone work in a school (back office)? What’s it like?

[KittenKong]

How does is company’s working in a ‘normal’ office? What’s it like during holiday times - do you get bank holidays off? Can you swear….

Tell me all…

I work with school data, full time all year round. It became my second career when I unexpectedly became a single parent to 2 small children and I've had several roles from Receptionist to Data Manager. I get 6 weeks holiday a year that I have to book during the school holidays but started as term time only.

Totally depends on the school and the office, much like any other office I would imagine.

My school office is an external stand alone building with 2 doors to the outside, so yes, we can, and do, swear occasionally. However if your office is off a school corridor where anyone could walk past at any time, then absolutely you can not swear. I'm not sure why this would even be a question though, do you usually swear quite a lot??

Most school office staff would be term time only. If you are working in the holidays, it is a lovely chance to catch up with everything you couldn't do during term time. And is usually far more productive as you don't get interrupted every 5 minutes by the phone ringing, people popping in or emails, or fire alarms!

I don't think swearing is tolerated anywhere you work - strange question.

@xyzandabc yep, love the holidays! I get so much done. I have an office in the middle of the school, usually with the door open so I never swear at work. You get used to that. I can shut the door to concentrate on work, phone calls etc.

I used to work in retail management though and the level of swearing behind the scenes was off the scale 😂

If you're in work during school holidays (some roles are full time) you can usually wear casual clothes. You get bank holidays off like normal jobs. There is swearing sometimes - you may work in an office that children aren't allowed in.

Usually term time, maybe term time plus1,2,3,4 weeks depending on role. A few support staff all year round.
Sense of humour required, occasional swearing, schools have been tough places to work in the last few years. I work with a really supportive team!
Google your local authority school dates to see how the terms/holidays work.

A couple of negative things, support staff tend to be treated as second class citizens in some schools. Also management can be poorer than in industry as they are teachers, not managers and most haven't worked in the "real world"

@Justkeeppedaling

I don't think swearing is tolerated anywhere you work - strange question.

You haven’t worked with sales people or journalists then!

@Justkeeppedaling

I don't think swearing is tolerated anywhere you work - strange question.

Hmmm not reflected in my place of work!

Mostly term time only, yes to being treated as lesser than teachers and SLT.

Money can be a bit shock due to enforced unpaid holidays, but you need to balance it out vs looking after your own dc I suppose.

Oh, and hours are usually 8-3.30 or 4, so you'll still need wraparound care if your own dc are in school.

Zero (and I mean zero, unless you have an incredibly RARE and understanding supportive SLT) opportunity to have time off in term time for kids school plays, events etc.

Oh, and plenty of swearing as long as sensitive ears are not close by

Very varied, no two days are the same. No to swearing as the kids and visitors are always around. But we're great at sign language .

Not really in over holidays but it's lovely and quiet on inset days and we get a lot done. I love it, it's such an interesting job. Having said that, absolutely yes to being the lowest of the low and I had a shit day yesterday being spoken to like a school leaver in front of people. Wanted to remind them that I'm older than them and have managed more people than they have in the past. I'm not just the office lady