Is anyone employed as a school administrator - advice please

[trinni]

I'm hoping to 'pick the brains' of any school receptionist/administrators as I'm about to apply for a similar role myself.

My most recent employment history is (generally speaking) in finance (building society cashier) and financial services (IFA administrator).

Would my skills transfer favourably do you think? Obviously, I have been in a public-facing role, which I know is positive but have had no experience of working within an educational environment.

These school office/term time only jobs are so competitive and I'd love to hear from anyone who is in such a job and might offer some 'inside information' as to the kind of person they would be hoping to employ.

Also, I have a child at the school (year 7, so just started) would this be considered a hinderance?

I'm 48 BTW - so feel I'm possibly just around the right sort of age!

Hi - I work as a Business Manager in a school. In my experience some of the key skills would be:
IT - if the school uses a specific MIS you will need to demonstrate transferable skills.
Good people skills, including being able to build relationships with pupils
Organisational / time management skills - schools generate HUGE amounts of paperwork!
Confidentiality and diplomacy - you may have to convince the school that having your own child at the school won't compromise your ability to act professionally and be discreet.

Finally - A SENSE OF HUMOUR!!! essential for those days when the toilets have flooded, there's a sickness bug rife in school, the neighbours are complaining about your pupils and an Ofsted inspector turns up...