How does one get School Office Admin experience if you've never been employed in a school office?

[ColdCrumpetsandButter]

I'm having very little success regarding interviews/job offers for school office/admin/secretary positions. I've been told my admin experience to date is really good, strong and solid yet keep being overlooked by candidates who already have the school office/admin skills and experience.

Is there anything I can do?

Thank you.

Its the kind of job that has lots and lots of applicants due to people wanting term time, school hour jobs.

You just need to keep applying. Maybe volunteer with the school your children attend if applicable in PT A type roles so that you can get familiar with school ways of working.

Thanks. I will do. I understand why the other candidates are being chosen over me as I would probably do the same in the schools position. I will keep at it.

We have had people volunteer to get experience.

I first worked as a school administrator via a job agency and then managed to move on to a permanent role from there. Might be worth phoning round a few local agencies to see if they place any admin staff into schools?

I volunteered. Am now working in the job I was aiming for

I don't work in a school but we have a lot of agency staff where I work and many of them have been placed in schools to cover sick etc. Might be worth signing up with some.

Hadn't thought of that. Thank you!

If you have kids, go to their school and ask the head teacher have a look at SIMS. It's a dead simple database but huge emphasis placed on it for some unknown reason. Also bone up on safeguarding and multi tasking and you're in!

If you are signing up to agencies, speak with those that are placing supply teachers - I am a supply teacher and am offered admin positions on and off.

Ooh, great thread. I have just applied for my first school office admin job! Things which I am hoping will help me get an interview:

I spent two years as the PTA Secretary and help out at school listening to readers and helping where I can

I have been volunteering for my local Children's Centre for 3.5 years and have completed safeguarding training.

I don't have SIMS knowledge but have emphasised I'm a fast learner, been working in offices all my life, touch-typing for over 20yrs and my speed is now around 70wpm.

I'm also dbs cleared at several places, and completed mental health training recently under my own steam.

Good luck to everyone trying to crack it...

This is a really useful thread, thanks for starting it. I'm looking to move into school admin work too.

I've noticed a lot of the job specs say that a school visit would be welcomed or even encouraged in some cases. Does anyone have any advice about what I should be asking about, looking at or doing to make myself the best candidate that I can?

@MontyBowJangles hell I hope we are not going for the same positions as your experience totally trumps mine!

Well I didn't get shortlisted for interview

@MontyBowJangles that sucks. I'm sorry. Did you ask why?

@ColdCrumpetsandButter no, no feedback on the massive form that I poured my heart and soul into! I have asked but am unlikely to get any. I'm sure there would have been hundreds of applicants for the p/t term-time only admin job so would have gone to someone with school office experience no doubt.

However! Was chatting to someone yesterday who works there (it's a secondary school) and she said "you don't fancy exam invigilating do you? It's a zero hours contract but we're looking for people for the summer - send me your application and I'll take a look".

So maybe something for you to consider too? If it's a secondary school you're trying to crack?

I would look at exam invigilation too but it doesn’t end at 3pm. However, if you are known you do have a better chance and schools do speak to each other.

@superram yes she said I'd need to be there for 8.30am some days too, but I'm lucky in that dh's work is flexible so he can do school run for our two if needed

I work in school admin and no headteacher would allow you to look at SIMS. Thats a breach. Dont even suggest it

I went for a maternity cover position for 3 months so wasn't so competitive. The school are now working on getting me a permanent position there.

I've currently got three applications in for three part time term time positions.

Two have deadline dates pass. Im patiently waiting.....

Good luck @ColdCrumpetsandButter! Let us know if you get an interview (keeping everything crossed for you).

Thank you. I will.

Get some in-school experience. I got mine via exam invigilation. Had a great exams officer who was OK with me largely doing the 9-3 exams and not being able to do many starting early/late. Also school governor so gave me an understanding of how schools are run.

It's proving very hard to secure interviews. 😞

I suspect there is a very large talent pool to select from.

It is a job that you would need experience in. A lot of people (not implying anyone who has previously posted) have the perception that you sit 9-3 answering phones - believe me this is not the case.

SIMS is a highly confidential data system that you are required to be trained to use, you also need to be aware and if necessary trained for GDPR, Child protection and Data protection (hence why you can't ask the head how to show you how to use SIMS this is a massive breach and needs reported to your LA)

Primary school Admin is less demanding and may suit you to gain experience but be confident in your role before applying to Secondary school Admin.