As per my title, does anyone work in school admin and is dreading the return? I’m feeling so anxious about going back (to a primary school in my case). The end of the summer term was ridiculously busy and there’s still so much to tackle before the children return. We have two PD days but much of those will be taken up with training. I’m the only ‘front of house’ and it really is full on every day.
My days are very long due to having to be on site for the wraparound care provision and I don’t even get a lunch break (well, obviously I’m entitled to one, but there’s rarely anyone available to cover me and I can’t leave the reception unmanned, I’m often also required to help in the lunch hall). Days are a blur of questions from parents/children/other staff, phone calls, emails, visitors, first aid, lunch orders, organising trips, placing orders for supplies, generally running around etc etc. Some of our parents can be quite ‘tricky’ and a few children have behaviour issues; we also have some children with significant needs. I can honestly say this is the busiest and most stressful job I’ve had, a constant juggling act. I do get satisfaction (largely from surviving each day!) and enjoy working with children (and the head, who is lovely) but the pay doesn’t really reflect the responsibility of the role and the (unpaid) holidays are wasted on me as my children are grown up. Oh, and let’s just say the trust we are part of is very unsupportive and there is no money!
I don’t know why I’m posting, probably for a bit of solidarity!