I’ve got a interview in a school for administration assistant

[strongmamaxo]

I’ve got a 20 minute interview in a school for an administration assistant. Does anyone work in a school who could give me advice and tips ? Or questions they’d ask? Outfits? Thankyou :)

Safeguarding trumps everything else. If they give you an in tray type exercise … just remember safeguarding is the priority.
Usual interview clothes smart, try to wear something you also feel comfortable in else that can be distracting. Good luck.

@marmitegirl01what do you mean by in tray hun? X

ChatGPT is your friend…

Ask it for examples of questions they might ask and for example answers. You need to make it personal to you, but it gives you a good start.

Good luck!

You need to start by googling what an intray exercise is as you’ll most certainly have one

I didn't have an in tray exercise at my interview - it was mostly about safeguarding.

Make sure you know the basics - if a child discloses something to you-never promise confidentiality, assure the child they've done the right thing, tell them you will help then report to the DSL.

Tell them you would only let visitors with an enhanced dbs in unless they were being accompanied by a member of staff.

Good luck op and please let us know how you got on xx

@illsendansostotheworldthankyou!!! Did you get the job? X

no need to go over smart, just smartish trousers and a top. As said - safeguarding top priority, for pupils and other staff, eg who would you talk to if a member of staff had a problem, or a child told you something.
If you’re stuck on something you can always say you’d refer to the schools policy on xyz.
Admin usually includes what would you do with a tricky parent type questions

Don't wear anything revealing. High neck and ensure your pants won't show (eg, if you have to walk into a classroom to speak to a teacher and kids sitting on the floor).

Put the children at the centre of every answer.
In a school, children come first. Always

Yes and this is my 5th year doing it - love it!
If they ask you if you've got any questions, l would say
What challenges do you find as a school ?(they are bound to say lack of money)
What percentage of your pupils are pupil premium and how do you support them?
Same with send.
Read up online about how many pupils etc they have so you know a bit about the school.
Good luck.

Agree being aware of Safeguarding. Also GDPR.

Agree with the above. Swot up on safeguarding and GDPR. I’m in a non student facing admin role and these are still paramount. My interview was a few years ago now but I had an in tray exercise, had to create a spreadsheet and then had a face to face interview. Got the job but saying that, there were 3 roles and 3 applicants so not sure if I go it on my interview ability or by default! 🤣🤦‍♀️

Agree - safeguarding, GDPR and cyber security likely to be asked about, read up on the school using their website too. They might ask if you have experience working with children, first aid qualifications or willingness to learn first aid. Brush up on word and excel, you will likely use them a lot. Do you have any experience with the school’s MIS or any similar database type programmes?

@illsendansostotheworldcan you message privately on here? As id love to show you the job duties to see if it’s similar to yours?

@Trinity69can you message privately on here so I can show you the job description so you can let me know if it seems face to face role or not? X

Happy to do but am only on the app and can't see where to do that!!

Message sent

@Trinity69did you get the job?

I’m not the OP. @strongmamaxo

Lol sorry!!