School Admin interview

Rita2016 · 2022-08-22T20:39:15+00:00

Hi ladies just have a few questions maybe someone can help,? I was offered a interview quite quickly within applying for a school admin job, does anyone understand how the pay side of it? I just don’t want to waste my time going for an interview if I’m going to paid less than what I’m earning now?.. I have read previous threads about it being pro rata for the 38/39 weeks..

Original poster

Rita2016 · 22/08/2022 21:39

Forgot to add it is a part time position of 21 hours

OP posts:

Allmarbleslost · 22/08/2022 21:41

Is it 21 hours term time only? If so it will be pro rata but you will still get paid every month (12 times a year). School admin pay is generally shit.

Original poster

Rita2016 · 22/08/2022 21:44

Allmarbleslost · 22/08/2022 21:41

Is it 21 hours term time only? If so it will be pro rata but you will still get paid every month (12 times a year). School admin pay is generally shit.

Yes it’s term time, that’s exactly what I thought.. I just didn’t want to put all my energy and effort into a interview when deep down I know they pay will probably be crap.. I thought you know what it be good as I got two children

OP posts:

Allmarbleslost · 22/08/2022 21:47

Yes its very handy having the school holidays off! I am school admin working 37 hours a week (term time only plus 2 weeks) and I bring home less than £1300 a month. It isn't enough to live off but luckily dh is well paid!

Remolina · 22/08/2022 21:49

Yes if TTO you will be paid for 39 weeks, plus 4 to 5 weeks of holiday. This will be divided equally across 12 pay days. As it is part-time, TTO it will probably come out at not a lot!

toomuchlaundry · 22/08/2022 21:52

Will you save on childcare?

Heartrate · 22/08/2022 21:52

If it's 38 working weeks you'll be paid approximately 43 weeks (as you get some paid holidays). Assuming full time week is 37 hours, your actual salary will be :

Fte £ x 43/51 x 21/37

Original poster

Rita2016 · 22/08/2022 21:54

Allmarbleslost · 22/08/2022 21:47

Yes its very handy having the school holidays off! I am school admin working 37 hours a week (term time only plus 2 weeks) and I bring home less than £1300 a month. It isn't enough to live off but luckily dh is well paid!

Yeah that’s what I was looking at school holidays etc.. but I’m actually quite put off from doing my own research what I could potentially earn.. it may mean I would be better off by say £50/£80 a month which isn’t really much

OP posts:

ivfbabymomma1 · 22/08/2022 21:55

I work in school admin, you get 12 equal payments a year but the pay is shocking! Like PP said... I can only do this because I have a DH who earns enough for me to do so. And it does save on childcare as my pre school DS is only in term time as well. It's definitely got a lot of pros and cons!

Original poster

Rita2016 · 22/08/2022 21:55

toomuchlaundry · 22/08/2022 21:52

Will you save on childcare?

Thinking about it no, because I would still need to pay extra for bclub and after school club as my daughter is at a different school.. and my son still attends nursery

OP posts:

Original poster

Rita2016 · 22/08/2022 21:57

Remolina · 22/08/2022 21:49

Yes if TTO you will be paid for 39 weeks, plus 4 to 5 weeks of holiday. This will be divided equally across 12 pay days. As it is part-time, TTO it will probably come out at not a lot!

That’s exactly what I’m thinking?.. they haven’t advertised the salary but I have had a look at the pay band on the council website so I have a Rough idea on what I would get and to be honest it’s not really much more than wat I earn now

OP posts:

Original poster

Rita2016 · 22/08/2022 21:59

ivfbabymomma1 · 22/08/2022 21:55

I work in school admin, you get 12 equal payments a year but the pay is shocking! Like PP said... I can only do this because I have a DH who earns enough for me to do so. And it does save on childcare as my pre school DS is only in term time as well. It's definitely got a lot of pros and cons!

yeah I’ve been trying to weigh it all up it just seems like I would be in the same situation I’m currently in now.. money wise.. I thought it would work in my favour as it’s down the road school holidays covered etc but when I actually sat n thought about it the pay etc I would basically be the sameish to what I earn now

OP posts:

Heartrate · 22/08/2022 21:59

I don't think anyone's ever moved into school admin for the money, but the hours can make a big difference to quality of life

Original poster

Rita2016 · 22/08/2022 22:01

Heartrate · 22/08/2022 21:59

I don't think anyone's ever moved into school admin for the money, but the hours can make a big difference to quality of life

Oh yes for sure, I was trying to think logically the hours would work around children but then my pay would be effected and I know I could probably get a better paid job but I was trying to think about a job that would help around childcare etc but it probably won’t make much of a difference as I would still pay for nursery fees etc daughters after school club and breakfast

OP posts:

Heartrate · 22/08/2022 22:08

Rita2016 · 22/08/2022 22:01

Oh yes for sure, I was trying to think logically the hours would work around children but then my pay would be effected and I know I could probably get a better paid job but I was trying to think about a job that would help around childcare etc but it probably won’t make much of a difference as I would still pay for nursery fees etc daughters after school club and breakfast

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If it's only 21 hours do you need much wrap around care? You won't be paying nursery forever

If you're going to be even slightly better off financially, it might be worth doing for the worklife balance, but that's obviously a personal choice for you.

I took quite a paycut when I started in school, leaving a high pressure corporate job. It probably saved me, but it won't be for everyone.

Original poster

Rita2016 · 22/08/2022 22:15

Heartrate · 22/08/2022 22:08

If it's only 21 hours do you need much wrap around care? You won't be paying nursery forever

If you're going to be even slightly better off financially, it might be worth doing for the worklife balance, but that's obviously a personal choice for you.

I took quite a paycut when I started in school, leaving a high pressure corporate job. It probably saved me, but it won't be for everyone.

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Totally get where your coming from, I currently work in the health sector and have been for many years in Admin etc and currently working for a private bank in London, I just think the pay cut would really have an effect my son would still have to attend nursery and my daughter would still need to attend breakfast and after school club while i would be working… so I don’t think it would really be a positive impact.. I think for myself I feel I would be To experienced and I might be better in a more senior type role.

OP posts:

Olsi109 · 22/08/2022 22:18

So at my place school admin would be 39 weeks plus 2 weeks so 41 weeks. Then 4 weeks holiday and bank holidays. Works out at 46.8 weeks or something.

Heartrate · 22/08/2022 22:19

Rita2016 · 22/08/2022 22:15

Totally get where your coming from, I currently work in the health sector and have been for many years in Admin etc and currently working for a private bank in London, I just think the pay cut would really have an effect my son would still have to attend nursery and my daughter would still need to attend breakfast and after school club while i would be working… so I don’t think it would really be a positive impact.. I think for myself I feel I would be To experienced and I might be better in a more senior type role.

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21 hours is only 4.5 hours per day though so would she need breakfast and after school?

Heartrate · 22/08/2022 22:21

I was definitely over qualified when I started but that enabled me to progress quickly. I'm now at my third school and run all the non teaching functions at a large school. Actually on a fairly decent salary again now.

toomuchlaundry · 22/08/2022 22:22

I'm assuming it is job share so OP would be doing full days but only for part of the week. Usually need admin to be available before school starts and at the end of the day to deal with any parent queries

Longdistance · 22/08/2022 22:30

I’m school admin too in the private sector, so get longer holidays. I’m taking home £1,500, but I’ve been there 5 years and have negotiated my pay as was doing someone else’s job too. I do 39 hours and some (occasionally wfh in the evenings in busy periods like end of term reports proofreading and editing).
I love having the holidays off with dds. Dh will be at work and we go away without him.
The only down side is I feel I work like a dog when there. It’s full on. I’m actually looking for something else, but possibly part time as dd2 will be in Senior school in September.

Heartrate · 22/08/2022 22:33

toomuchlaundry · 22/08/2022 22:22

I'm assuming it is job share so OP would be doing full days but only for part of the week. Usually need admin to be available before school starts and at the end of the day to deal with any parent queries

Then OP won't need breakfast/after school club every day. It depends what the role is, but most of our admin staff work hours that mean they can collect /drop off at other schools (in an attempt to make the jobs more attractive when we know the pay is rubbish). It's only the receptionist who needs to be there before and after.

Original poster

Rita2016 · 22/08/2022 22:34

Heartrate · 22/08/2022 22:19

21 hours is only 4.5 hours per day though so would she need breakfast and after school?

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Yes as the start time would be same sort of time I would normally drop her off for I won’t have enough time to drop her and then get to this job after, and her school will finish same time again when this would so I wouldn’t be able to leave her waiting at the school

OP posts:

Original poster

Rita2016 · 22/08/2022 22:37

Heartrate · 22/08/2022 22:21

I was definitely over qualified when I started but that enabled me to progress quickly. I'm now at my third school and run all the non teaching functions at a large school. Actually on a fairly decent salary again now.

You know what it is not in a big headed way but I just feel I would be too good at the job based on my previous roles and jobs I’ve had.. I’m not at all big headed in the slightest you know when you want something where you will learn more from? Or it will get your brain ticking I just feel this position I wouldn’t get that.. but I suppose it all depends on what sort of job I want etc

OP posts:

Oblahdeeoblahdoe · 22/08/2022 22:41

Surely not having to pay for two lots of childcare in the school holidays in the future would be worth it. There is some career progression available in large academy trusts too.