Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

The staffroom

Whether you're a permanent teacher, supply teacher or student teacher, you'll find others in the same situation on our Staffroom forum.

Admin staff - is your job like this?

39 replies

BuffaloCrumble · 06/01/2018 23:17

Having a bit of a January back-to-school slump, and thinking of looking for another job. Before I do, I'm keen to know if the issues I have with my job are fairly typical, or if I'd find things easier elsewhere - I haven't worked in a school before so I don't know what's normal. I'm working at a small primary school in a school-secretary-plus-finance role. My main problem is just the sheer amount of stuff to do in the time available - I work five days but school hours only, and it's just me in the office. I'm trying to fit in all the finance and personnel, plus admissions, attendance, SIMS, site management, IT management, Head's PA type stuff, policy updates etc, alongside all the general crap of receptionist, emails, dealing with parents etc. On top of that, I'm feeling that frankly too much responsibility is expected of me - there is definitely an expectation that, as one of the 'core team', I put in extra hours at home as the SLT do - but as I'm paid term time only this seems a bit much! To cap it all, we're awaiting Ofsted probably in the next six months, which I'm absolutely bricking because I don't feel remotely ready. So, my question is - is this just a typical state school thing? Is everyone experiencing similar, and am I being naive to expect an easier time elsewhere?

OP posts:
BuffaloCrumble · 18/01/2018 07:33

It depends on your contract. If you're on a term time contract of 43 weeks then INSET days aren't included in that. If you're asked to go in and are happy to do so, then you should be paid overtime. Some admin staff are paid 44 weeks, in which case that includes INSET days assuming it's a day you usually work.

OP posts:
BuffaloCrumble · 18/01/2018 07:34

And yes, training days with no kids or parents are BLISS.

OP posts:
BuggerOffAndGoodDayToYou · 18/01/2018 14:06

My contract is 39 weeks which is term time and inset days. Some of the training I need to take part in and when it's something I don't need then I get to catch up on stuff in a peaceful office. If I go in during holidays (which I sometimes do) I get overtime (only single time).

crackerjacket · 18/01/2018 14:09

I don't have the job title or salary of a SBM (quite rightly, as I don't have the necessary qualifications or experience), but I'm basically doing the job of one.

^

Seems par the course these days.

BuffaloCrumble · 18/01/2018 14:24

Yes, I meant 43 weeks including holiday pay (i.e. 38 actual working weeks). Sorry, wasn't clear.

OP posts:
ShariFf · 18/01/2018 16:22

Well my inset day wilbe a day off! Head has asked me to work on my day off which is great as i get 4 days Running to get the books balanced seeing it the last friday of the month (balances day🤪) which fry my brain!

And best thing is my DC is off too on inset so we get to spend the day together.

ShariFf · 18/01/2018 16:22

Well my inset day wilbe a day off! Head has asked me to work on my day off which is great as i get 4 days Running to get the books balanced seeing it the last friday of the month (balances day🤪) which fry my brain!

And best thing is my DC is off too on inset so we get to spend the day together.

Notsoskinnyminny · 20/01/2018 15:31

Did anyone manage to find time to check their census reports? I did a dry run after the holidays but still waiting for the SENCO to check the SEN list and if the head asks me what I know about GDPR one more time I'll scream, I'm up and down like a blummin yoyo as I'm on my own afternoons and all day Friday, so no I haven't had time to read up on it.

BuffaloCrumble · 20/01/2018 22:29

The only report I check without fail is the PP report, as we need the money!!! YY on GDPR. I've found a training session on it though, so hoping I might feel more enlightened after that!

OP posts:
AlwaysTimeForWine · 26/01/2018 22:37

Sounds like me!

I work in a small Primary school with 1 form entry. Total kids 136. Started in September - have an admin background and am a parent at the school so know it well.

I do EVERYTHING!! There's a Bursar who works 3 days a week and handles the big money stuff - budgets/invoices etc

I'm supposed to work 29.5 hours a week. 8.30-3.30 on 3 days and 8.30-1.30 on 2 days, with a 30 minute lunch break on my longer days. There's an LSA who comes in to do secretarial support and cover the phones on the afternoons I'm not there but we're never in together.

I rarely take a lunch break and probably work 35 hours a week just to tread water! I'm definitely not paid enough for what I do. My job title is Administrative Officer and I'm classed as part of the middle leadership structure.

I do all front of office stuff; phone/emails/Parents, all SIMS, SCR, all Census including workforce, admissions, waiting list, records, staff HR; contracts, new starters, overtime, sick forms, booking training, organising cover, I manage the school fund, organise the clubs, banking, all first aid (some playground stuff done by the supervisors), manage all diaries, attendance tracking and reporting, all absence tracking, poor absence letters, administering trips, ordering stuff, tracking healthcare plans,

I don't know why I'm even bothering listing it! If it exists I have to do it.

The worst is the endless interruptions. Just as you get into a job the phone rings, then a child comes in with a bumped head, just as you've got rid of them someone brings a delivery, then a teacher comes in and asks to arrange a meeting with so-and-so's parent. Some days my To Do list makes me want to sob. And the parents who ring at 2.45pm to tell me their child is being picked up by someone different make me pull my hair out. But the worst thing is the email - it's endless - and important stuff sneaks in and hides in the junk, and everyone copies you in on everything. I hate the email! And there are also some incredibly rude parents.

It is crazy busy and sometimes I wonder why I do it. But I do love it - it's NEVER boring and the days fly by (often without a wee!!)

I love it when a parent says thanks because I made their child feel better when they were sad. Or when a year 3 comes in with a pretend sore ankle just so they can tell me a joke. Or when I have to drop something down to the reception class and one of the little ones calls me over to show me what they've done. And I think - I made that happen!
I haven't taught that child. I'm not a teacher. But it takes a village and I made it happen. Because to be honest without the job we do, within 2 weeks the wheels would fall off. My job is make sure the teachers can teach - and it's a fabulous sense of achievement.

Even when I wish they would all bugger off for an hour and leave me alone to get on with it!!

BuffaloCrumble · 27/01/2018 18:20

Yes yes yes! The good and the band. If it exists I have to do it. This.

OP posts:
AlwaysTimeForWine · 28/01/2018 21:52

And sometimes if it doesn't exist yet we still have to do it! I swear the head invents new things that need doing!!

Notsoskinnyminny · 30/01/2018 06:51

So true always I'm full time with a PT admin, who mainly does dinner money and daily attendance. We've got 400 on roll and i do everything you've mentioned.

I'm fed up with the head asking me to do something which, if I had more support and a room where I could work without interruptions, I'd do in a couple of hours but I don't so when I finish it she'll say she's done it herself Angry

DCs have both got the flu bug so what's the bet I'll get it at half term Grin

Fairyliz · 04/02/2018 20:53

Yes this sounds about normal for a primary school. I work in the office and in a normal week do about 10 hours unpaid overtime. I am employed term time only but generally go in for about four weeks during the holidays to catch up.
Don't really know what the answer is; I do the budget so I know there is no more money for admin staff.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page