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Original poster

School Administrator Jobs

103 replies

Needanewadventure2021 · 06/01/2022 12:50

Hi

I have 18 years of admin experience across different sectors at a senior level, just never in a school setting.
I am extremely unhappy in my current job and want a complete change. I feel working in a school will fit well around my child and feel I have plenty of admin experience to be able to undertake the position in a school well but was wondering how I would go about this without gaining any experience in a school setting? Also I only have A levels and no NVQ's however I am happy to undertake additional training.

Are there any school administrators out there? Any advice? Is there any possibility to progress in the future?

TIA x

OP posts:
CinstonWhurchill · 31/01/2022 18:49

Well done Op.

"I was the only one to complete the task fully and correctly".

You only had one task Op? What was the task?

" fully and correctly"? Who told you that Op?

ladygracie · 31/01/2022 18:51

Well done - that’s brilliant news!

CinstonWhurchill · 31/01/2022 19:11

"@giraffe so when are your interviews?"

"Beginning of February".

So SLT brought the interviews forward then?

RoyKentsChestHair · 31/01/2022 19:13

That’s brilliant! Well done - what was the task you were asked to complete?

BackAwayFatty · 31/01/2022 19:42

Just read your whole post. Congratulations!

Original poster
Needanewadventure2021 · 31/01/2022 20:05

I had to produce an email extracting information from a large database for various questions to go into a report, along with creating tables to make information more manageable.

Thanks everyone. I'm over the moon.

OP posts:
CinstonWhurchill · 31/01/2022 21:18

😂😂 of course you did.

Original poster
Needanewadventure2021 · 31/01/2022 21:51

I'm confused? @CinstonWhurchill

OP posts:
SparkleTwinkle101 · 31/01/2022 22:05

I'm a school admin. It doesn't fit around school hours as normally you have to start earlier and finish later also not necessarily just term time.

It's underpaid and you will never be thanked!

girafferafferaffe · 01/02/2022 15:40

Congrats op!

CinstonWhurchill · 03/02/2022 19:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

CinstonWhurchill · 03/02/2022 19:48

I hope Op you will be an advocate for your new sch's children.

This role is not only about your ability to be available for your own children. This role is solely and ultimately about your availability for the children at your new sch. I wish you well op.

You have an opportunity here to change lives. I wish you well in your new career and your contribution and deskcation to very young people and their safeguarding .

CinstonWhurchill · 03/02/2022 19:52

dedication not deskcation! Doh!

Original poster
Needanewadventure2021 · 03/02/2022 20:56

@CinstonWhurchill thanks but if I'm being honest it's felt like your comments have been abit backhanded. And unnecessary.

You are the only person who has posted on this thread who has made me feel like I wouldn't have a chance. I went with what you said in mind 'about not having the time to train people', believing that I was just a number and being interviewed to show they were following a fair recruitment process. I didn't believe I had a chance, especially against so many others.

I'm not saying it for show, the one particular interview couldn't have gone better, it felt right and like a good fit for us all (myself and the panel). I walked out feeling proud wondering why I had been so scared. It was also comforting to know they do not look for school experience and no one in their office comes from a school background. That (i felt) was my only real obstacle, which was no longer an obstacle. So it is possible, to not have direct experience because skills are transferable!

I suppose it's a good thing that I know I am good at what I do and work to a high level and know what I can bring.

SEND is close to my heart due to my own child's additional needs, so my interests have always been in the right place.

I think any parent working in a school office would say that term time is a huge benefit, but I wouldn't have spent hours even applying if I wanted an easy life and I had no interest in making a difference to the school and the lives of the children/families. I've never worked term time so it's new for me, but now my son gets to remain in a routine which will benefit him

OP posts:
CrappyXmasMarket · 03/02/2022 21:06

I missed this thread the first time and was about to offer you some advice (worked in school support roles for a decade) but I can see you don't need it!

Well done OP.

I dunno what @CinstonWhurchill 's problem is.

pitterpatterrain · 03/02/2022 21:07

Well done OP!

Original poster
Needanewadventure2021 · 03/02/2022 21:40

I really appreciate all the advice given, both good and bad and thank you for all the 'well dones'

Im under no illusions this isn't going to be easy. I know the school office at my child's school are literally crawling to the holidays they are that busy so I know I'm going to be busy, very busy. I also know pay isn't great but I've actually managed to secure a better wage than I am currently earning so fortunately for me I will be better off. But hopefully this will give me a nice work life balance.

Out of curiosity, ex school office staff, why did you move on? Was it the job? The salary? Progression? I will be honest I'd like to think it's a long term thing for myself

OP posts:
CurlyhairedAssassin · 03/02/2022 21:43

OP, congratulations! I must have missed where you said whether it was primary or secondary? They are VERY different. I spent 12 years as support staff in secondary. I grew to hate it so when a clerical officer job came up last year in a primary school I jumped at the chance. Really prepared well, interview went well and I was offered the job. I loved the school and the people the minute I looked round (I went for an informal visit the week before my interview).

I still love it and feel like I've finally found my people! I feel like we're one big team. It is the busiest I've ever been in a job and I do a lot of unpaid overtime as do other staff so it's quite low paid really for what you do. It's extremely varied. I love the kids. I am never bored. blah blah blah. Feel very lucky.

If it's primary, I hope you love it! If it's secondary, I hope you can tolerate it and maybe grow to like it. Wink

Original poster
Needanewadventure2021 · 03/02/2022 21:54

It's all ages. All the children have SEND. I met a few of them at my interview, teenagers, and they were lovely and so polite and well mannered. I know this is unlikely to be every child but I just felt so welcome and at ease.
The panel was 4 senior people, again I felt so at ease and our conversation just flowed. When I was offered the role one of the comments was 'we think you will fit in our team perfectly'. I've never interviewed and felt like it's been right for me as much as this one. I really hope it works out. The hard/extra work doesn't put me off as I feel I'll be contributing to something important

OP posts:
MadeForThis · 03/02/2022 22:22

Congratulations

Houseplantmad · 03/02/2022 22:37

Well done. It sounds as if you are joining a good team. That must have been intense facing a panel of four!

CurlyhairedAssassin · 03/02/2022 22:43

Ah that sounds like it would be a job that should give a lot of job satisfaction. I love working with SEND kids.

Original poster
Needanewadventure2021 · 03/02/2022 23:01

I thought it was 2 but was faced with 4! Walking in I was hit with all their faces staring at me lol, but I can honestly say my nerves went within seconds. They were all so incredibly nice. I felt it was just as important for them to find someone who will fit their team as much as it is to find someone with the experience and capabilities to do the role.

SEND is close to my heart. My own DS needs sadly remain undiagnosed however I am finally getting support from his school after 5 years of non stop trying. So it means more to me than just a job in a school office

OP posts:
Bunnycat101 · 04/02/2022 21:00

This was a really lovely thread to read. Congratulations! I always think it is a good sign if a panel put you at ease and make you actually enjoy the interview process. I hope you enjoy the role.

Original poster
Needanewadventure2021 · 04/02/2022 21:31

Thank you.

I've wanted to leave my current job for a long as I can remember. I mostly stayed due to fear of change and disrupting our home life. It worked for me and my child and it meant I got to be involved as much as I could.
I cant believe how not scared I am about moving on. Change is a big thing for me. Especially leaving somewhere secure. I'm surprised I don't feel anxious about it all. But I think that may speak volumes in itself.

The panel, basically senior members of staff couldn't have been more wonderful.

I feel very lucky to start this new chapter

OP posts: