Any school secretaries?

[Tangerinesandlemons]

I am currently writing a novel set in a large comprehensive, where the secretary is one of the protagonists. The trouble is, although I have been a teacher, I have only worked in small junior schools. Can anyone tell me: what are the daily duties of a school secretary? Also, would a secretary have access to the pupils' confidential files, if such things are kept? Lastly, would a secretary ever work with social services if they were involved with a family? Thanks for any information.

Anyone?

I think you will get more answers in the Staffroom.

General duties: answering phones, taking messages for teaching staff, dealing with general queries from parents, updating daily attendance, filing paperwork, sending out letters and reports, photocopying, lost & found, typing, helping with events such as open evenings, some finance related tasks. Probably lots of other random bits and pieces that I can't remember.

Yes, I have access to pupils' confidential files. However, GDPR means that I shouldn't be looking at anything unless I need to for work purposes.

I don't deal with social services at all - this is the remit of the school's Child Protection/Safeguarding Officer and their deputy. I may pass along telephone messages so can be aware if a social worker is working with school regarding a particular child but this is usually because the child is in foster care, not for any other reason (SW unlikely to divulge a name where suspected abuse). The Child Protection Officer has their own files so any docs or info relating to this area are kept separate from the general files that I have access to.

I’ve worked in secondaries for years and admin staff have always been called that - Admin Assistant/Office Manager or School Receptionist occasionally. We also have a school business manager but that role is different.

I haven’t heard school secretary for a long time.

Thank you, this is very helpful.