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Original poster

School Administrator....what next?

40 replies

Anono2022 · 17/09/2022 12:56

Hi

I'm just wondering what avenues can you progress to after school administration?

I started at the beginning of this year and though I have no immediate plans to leave I am certain this isn't a long term role. I was sold a dream and so far every day is pretty miserable. Poorly managed, badly organised. I love my job as I feel everything I do it for the benefit of the children but I feel overworked because of the poor organisation of senior staff. I get my job done but I feel so devalued it's untrue. I work my arse off and some appreciation would be nice. And don't get me started of the level of responsibility you have and workload that really doesn't reflect the pay!

Above aside, as I'm certain this won't last more than a few years, what comes next? School work is ideal as I have a primary aged SEN child however I know generally poorly paid in education so what jobs would use the skills well, ideally better paid?

Thanks

OP posts:
Original poster
Anono2022 · 17/09/2022 15:27

No my son isn't at my school.

Yes childcare would be an issue if I worked full time all year round but I never had that issue before as I had help from family and friends when I did work all year. My desire to be around more for my son is because if his additional needs becoming more difficult.

It really does seem that school admin isn't a long term option for anyone

OP posts:
CurlyhairedAssassin · 17/09/2022 16:38

I think there's too much of a hangover in school admin from the days of it being a "nice little part time pocket money job" for married women whose husbands were the main earner, and in times when mortgages were very affordable and house prices low. Society has changed beyond recognition and 2 full time decently paid jobs are needed to buy an average house and have a family. We are starting to see these older women retire (often early), and there is no-one to fill their shoes. I only took my job because an inheritance meant our mortgage got paid off so I could take a reduction in salary for a supposedly better environment. Well, it IS a better environemnt and the people are nice, but the workload is not better, far from it.

Unfortunately the same goes for TAs and LSAs. There simply will be no-one who can afford to take these roles soon.

PretzelLady · 17/09/2022 17:16

Unfortunately the same goes for TAs and LSAs. There simply will be no-one who can afford to take these roles soon.

I've definitely noticed a bit of an exodus recently. People cannot afford to be earning such a low wage.

Other than my OH, we have no help with childcare unless we pay for it. That costs a lot in the area we live in. Our dcs are still very young, so by the time we've paid for wraparound care and holiday club, it actually doesn't make a huge amount of difference that I only earn LSA salary. It is really, really hard though and I wish I could make a decent wage (and not have to kiss goodbye to it as soon as I get it because we need extra childcare 🙄).

I do wonder if WFH could be an option for you op as someone suggested. But I know that would depend on your son's needs.

Singleandproud · 17/09/2022 17:23

I stuck school work out as long as DD needed me to have the school holidays off. I've secured an admin role in a different public sector role which will start in the new year which has a much great chance of moving up or sideways and allows 3 days at home and two in the office which is perfect as teen DD doesn't need me to 'do' things with her in the holidays but likes me about when she emerges from her pit and when she gets in from being with her friends. .

You can always use your admin skills to support children by volunteering at sports clubs as a secretary or treasurer.

Original poster
Anono2022 · 17/09/2022 17:28

I took on this job as it paid slightly more than I was earning (only £40 a month) but of course 13 weeks off a year is fantastic around my child. I was naive though and believed the dream that progession is possible. I am a one income household, so running a home on minimum wage was hard but now nearing impossible. Maybe it is time to have a rethink

OP posts:
h0rsewithn0name · 17/09/2022 17:38

I worked in school admin for 26 years, starting as the office gopher and rising to Trust Business Manager. In the end I was pretty well paid, but the stress and workload could have been the death of me.

I now work for a charity for less pay but my goodness it was a good move. I work from home and am totally flexible. I swap my hours about as and when I please, as long as I'm present for planned meetings. My blood pressure is back where it should be, I am respected and appreciated and I've lost three stone in weight.

I wish I'd done it years ago.

Original poster
Anono2022 · 17/09/2022 18:28

26 years. Oh wow. I'm certain I won't stick it out for more than a few years.

Makes me sad really as I really had such high hopes for this job move. Thought it was the way in towards a different life for us. But I've already realised progression is only something when your face fits in SM, and I'm really getting too old now to tolerate being spoken to the way I am for much longer

OP posts:
PretzelLady · 17/09/2022 18:36

You can't work for people who show you no respect or appreciation op. It is so soul destroying to work in that sort of environment. You will definitely have great, transferable skills and maybe you can do hybrid / felxible working so you can be with your son. Even working a four day week but getting only standard holiday would probably be a huge bump up in salary too.

CurlyhairedAssassin · 18/09/2022 10:11

Singleandproud · 17/09/2022 17:23

I stuck school work out as long as DD needed me to have the school holidays off. I've secured an admin role in a different public sector role which will start in the new year which has a much great chance of moving up or sideways and allows 3 days at home and two in the office which is perfect as teen DD doesn't need me to 'do' things with her in the holidays but likes me about when she emerges from her pit and when she gets in from being with her friends. .

You can always use your admin skills to support children by volunteering at sports clubs as a secretary or treasurer.

congrats! Is it civil service admin?

JamMakingWannaBe · 18/09/2022 10:25

Have a look on your Council's job vacancy board. You will have transferable skills that could be utilised in a range of roles.

Singleandproud · 18/09/2022 12:06

@CurlyhairedAssassin thank you, not quite Civil Service but the Environment Agency my degree is in Environmental Science but that wasn't essential for the role. Its not in the exact area I'd like to work but I'm hoping a sideways move will be easier once I'm in, in a few years than as an external candidate.

The recruitment process is very long (I believe the civil service is the same) applied at the start of February, found out I had an interview at the end of March, got given a choice of interview date for a Teams interview at the beginning of May, interviewed at the end of May, told I was successful a few days later, received the digital paperwork in June and checks were completed by the end of July. However, for my current role I have to give notice like a teacher so gave my notice at the start of September but can't start the role until January and they've been happy to wait for me which I don't think alot of places would so it works both ways.

Butif you are interested in admin in the civil service or similar govt/ quango organisation I'd apply sooner rather than later.

duckme · 26/09/2022 19:38

The pay truly is shocking, I agree. I have just joined a new school and I'm quite shocked at the added responsibilities that are been added to my role that weren't part of my role at my previous school.
I'm concerned that I seem to be in charge of the SCR, for example! I could literally fail an ofsted before the inspecter has seen a teacher teach and I certainly didn't agree to that level of responsibility when I took on the job!

In terms of what's next, are you part of an academy? Maybe a move to the Central Team? That's where all the lucky ones seem to escape to.

Lochjeda · 26/09/2022 19:40

A woman in my team for the council social care support department (admin role) worked in school admin before. Many admin roles within the council you could do.

chocolateisavegetable · 26/09/2022 19:59

I’m an ex-TA and now work for the council in an admin job for Children’s Services. We can choose to WFH or go into an office, all sorts of working patterns are available including term time only.

Original poster
Anono2022 · 26/09/2022 21:21

Yes ontop of the every day admin jobs which is a huge job in itself, I am responsible for 3 areas across the school too. None of which was in the job description. In fact most of what I do wasn't in the job description. Recently I was told that they had had insight that one of the areas I look after is being checked by ofsted. No pressure at all! I get it's a high pressure job but I didn't sign up for it. I had the tiniest pay increase from my old job where the stress was dramatically less. But a school works great around my child.
I definitely feel I should be working with kids somehow (though not in the classroom). I'm sad really that this job isn't suiting as I've had way way more senior roles and my admin background is extensive, but the money really does not reflect the role. Maybe that's why I feel so down about it

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