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Original poster

Interview for admin in highly acclaimed boarding school

22 replies

FarmerKat · 16/03/2022 16:18

Think big, famous, school.

Boarding but also takes day students.

We're local and I've applied and got an interview for an admin role at the school.

One of the benefits listed on the careers page of the school site is discounted fees for staff children.

So - do you think within my interview it would be wise or unwise for me to mention that it would be a beneficial perk of the job for me?

I'm clueless on private schools and was never on my radar that my son might be able to attend this one as well beyond our means. It's not the only reason I applied for the job (local, beautiful setting to work in, decent pay, free lunch!)

So I have no clue what the attitude within them is to children of staff attending but would love some advice please.

OP posts:

Phos · 16/03/2022 16:23

I wouldn't mention it to be honest as it could be taken that it IS your only, or main, reason for wanting the job. If discounted fees for staff children is mentioned on the website then I think their attitude towards staff's children attending is fairly clear.

Original poster

FarmerKat · 16/03/2022 16:25

Thanks. Appreciate the reply.

That was my thinking I didn't want to sound grabby, but equally it shows (as none of my DC are secondary age yet that I've gone into the job with the possibility of being there over a decade)

I'll keep with my instinct of saying how much I love their ethos and that it seems an incredible place to work.

OP posts:

Longdistance · 16/03/2022 16:32

Unwise. Don’t mention it. They really want full paying parents.
I work in a prep school and I’m sure they took me on because I don’t have boys. Another candidate was a parent with boys already there, she was getting divorced. The kids then had to leave as the ex dh wouldn’t pay the fees.

CraftyGin · 16/03/2022 16:36

They wouldn't offer staff fee remission if they did not want staff children.

Staff - teachers and support - can rarely afford to send their children to their school, so are empathetic towards this.

But I wouldn't mention it at the interview. They will expect you to have gone through the website and know their policy.

DetailMouse · 16/03/2022 16:45

I wouldn't mention it in the same way that you wouldn't say a company car or the pension scheme are what attracts you to the post.

I'd also be reluctant to take the job for that benefit tbh. You'll be trapped in the job even if you hate it or get better opportunities (for you) elsewhere. Which is one of the reasons they offer it...

HappeeinParis · 16/03/2022 16:48

Don't mention it. Better to focus on reasons for wanting the job that are about your suitability and skills (ie that also benefit them).

justaweeone · 16/03/2022 16:50

Don't mention in it.
However make sure you fully versed in the school ethos as well as being knowledgable about safeguarding.
Good luck

00100001 · 16/03/2022 17:00

Yeah, don't mention it.

Original poster

FarmerKat · 16/03/2022 17:15

Great. Thanks all. As I was planning.

If they ask what's the best reply?

I was planning full honesty. Not something I'd have ever thought would be accessible to us, but of course their ethos and academic success means that it's exciting that it could be a possibility when the time comes?

Or is that too strong?

OP posts:

TinaYouFatLard · 16/03/2022 17:17

That sounds like a great answer to me.

oatlattetogo · 16/03/2022 17:18

I wouldn’t mention it. It’s a nice perk, but not one to address in interview!

Also (without sounding like a misery guts, and having no knowledge of your financial situation) I wouldn’t necessarily get too excited about a discount unless you know that the discount is and it would make a difference to you being able to afford it or not. I haven’t encountered an independent school that offers staff more than 50% off, although I’m sure they do exist!

CraftyGin · 16/03/2022 17:20

@FarmerKat

Great. Thanks all. As I was planning.

If they ask what's the best reply?

Or is that too strong?

They should not ask unless you disclose first. They should have a set list of questions that are the same for each candidate.

Just focus on the person spec and that you address each item on this

But don't automatically think they won't want you because you have potential future pupils. If they offer fee remission, they are happy to have staff children.

NurseBernard · 16/03/2022 17:33

Not something I'd have ever thought would be accessible to us

The issue with this is that you’re making it clear that your DC going to the school is entirely dependent on you being in the job.

Move on from the job (which many people regularly do - especially admin within a school, as opposed to teaching), and your DC would be gone from the school.

I’d keep it a lot more high level.

‘Our children are only X and X (ages), but yes, sending them here would absolutely be part of our decision making process when the time comes’.

You sound highly positive, but referring to the ‘decision making process’ is a lot more non-committal than ‘yes, we’d definitely consider sending them here’.

DetailMouse · 16/03/2022 17:35

They're not allowed to ask if you have children!

TottersBlankly · 16/03/2022 17:36

It's not the only reason I applied for the job (local, beautiful setting to work in, decent pay, free lunch!)

However … When they ask you why you’re applying, what sensible, persuasive answers will you give?

NurseBernard · 16/03/2022 17:36

The OP may well have already indicated she has them in her personal statement on her CV.

This isn’t unusual.

NurseBernard · 16/03/2022 17:38

@TottersBlankly

It's not the only reason I applied for the job (local, beautiful setting to work in, decent pay, free lunch!)

However … When they ask you why you’re applying, what sensible, persuasive answers will you give?

This jumped out to me, too.

Might be worth considering what it is about the job itself that made you want to apply.

That’s all they’ll be interested in.

CraftyGin · 16/03/2022 17:39

@TottersBlankly

It's not the only reason I applied for the job (local, beautiful setting to work in, decent pay, free lunch!)

However … When they ask you why you’re applying, what sensible, persuasive answers will you give?

Because she meets he person spec? And she lives locally? And the school has a good reputation in the local area?

Original poster

FarmerKat · 16/03/2022 17:40

Great thanks.

I didn't think they'd ask but I thought just in case I like to have 'practiced' in my head.

Will re read on safeguarding.

Also the fees are HIGH so the admin wage wouldn't even cover 1 child 50% off so it's not that feasible really anyway.

Just me overthinking things.

I know I'm very very qualified for all aspects of the job. This is the one part that I wasn't sure on an acceptable reply and didn't want to blow it on something that has a possibility of being a total non issue anyway.

So have really appreciated the feedback.

OP posts:

fallfallfall · 16/03/2022 17:40

good luck!

Phos · 16/03/2022 17:46

Good luck OP!

CraftyGin · 16/03/2022 17:47

Have you worked in a school before, OP?

This is absolutely not necessary, but if there is competition...

I think the main things are:
being able to use a computer - Microsoft or Google products.
Being able to use the school information system (eg SIMS or Schoolbase) or be quick to learn.
Being good at working in a team.
Be able to talk to parents (recognising that some are very pushy). Being good at working to deadlines and good at working under pressure.
An understanding of safeguarding (but you will definitely be given training)
Good at recording.

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