Invigilating exams

[Foxymoxy68]

I'm retiring from primary teaching this summer....55 in August so going early.
I'd like to do some bits and bobs to top up my pension and have noticed that the secondary schools where I live seem to be crying out for exam invigilators. I just wondered if anyone had any experience of this and would like to share! Positive or negative! Thanks

I do a bit of freelance invigilating. I would definitely recommend it, you get paid to more or less sit and do nothing!
Few things I've found really help me though is to have something really good to think about, to keep your kind busy (a good book, planning an event or trip, mentally preparing for another meeting or whatever) while you watch the kids, as it's really easy to get sleepy when you're just sat watching them with no particular topic in mind.
Along the same lines but take a coffee or something to drink to keep you going. Some of the exams are long.
Also - don't wear high heels or anything that makes a noise as you'll want to walk around slowly and you'll feel guilty if you're clip clopping!

Look at your local FE college. They do exams all year round.

Thank you! Useful advice!
I'll definitely look into it in the autumn. Did you get much work?

I started invigilating at my local school 6 years ago. I work around 9/10 weeks a year (plus additional training) because the school does 2 sets of mocks before the real thing in the summer, plus odd ones for year 10. Pay is a bit above minimum wage plus holiday pay. I like working for a few weeks then nothing for a while
Schools organise things differently but we have early starts (7.30) and finish about 3, depending on the timetable. It can be dull at times, but we wouldn't be allowed to read a book or do anything other than monitor the students. We're not even meant to look at the papers!
You're on your feet a lot, I easily do 10,000 steps a day.
I do it to top up my occupational pension, which is crap after a long career but primarily part time. As soon as I get my old age pension I'll pack it in. I'm a natural night owl and getting up early is a killer!