Started a new job, and have had no training, it's completely disorganised, and so far I'm hating it! Making me feel like a failure!

[Mylifeasamum]

Hi all forgive me. This is the first time I'm posting in here and kind of need to rant!

So I started a new job working in school admin.

Iv had no training, literally zero! The first few days have been agony and the place is completely disorganised!
It's making me feel useless and I just dont know how it's going to get any better!
I know new job anxiety is a thing, but this is literally because iv had nothing shown to me! Yet things are already expected of me.
Iv had to wing it and guess everything! And I'm limited to what I can do as nothing has been set up for me. No computer etc..nothing.
They have been unprepared for my start and its really disappointing.
I'm a hard worker and do nor stand around. Iv already worked through my lunch every day and left late so I am trying my best but feel like iv just been set up for failure.
I'm already dreading going In tomorrow.

There has been no training whatsoever as i said, and when I ask the manager questions I feel like I'm forgotten. They never get answered and half the time I feel like he's not interested.
The job I'm sure would be lovely, but at the moment I feel like I'm drowning! It feels like there's no one I can really turn to and I'm literally left to my own devices.
I was expecting it to be difficult but this is next level.
I know I'm capable of doing the job given my job history but this is beyond a joke.

I feel so stuck but in a position where I can't really leave as it suits my home life with children perfectly!
I just don't know what to do!

Has anyone been in this position? And if they have how did they manage it?

Thanks in advance!

Depending on your role, you might find fb or WA groups with people doing similar jobs of use.

You do need to be proactively resourceful, schools are funny places at times. You can either really like the challenge or feel completely dumped on, sometimes on the same day!

Put your conscience and work ethic aside. They are paying you to be there, so don't worry if they are not getting the best out of you through their own fault.

Just keep explaining to your manager about the lack of training and lack of work, preferably by email to cover your own back.

I am puzzled - if you don't have your computer yet, and have not been trained in anything, how can you have worked through lunchtime and worked late? What have you been doing?
Stop the working late right now, and take your lunchbreak every day. You have to protect yourself from exploitation as no-one else is going to look out for you.

Hope it improves! Honestly if the manager isn’t bothered by your current performance hang on in there for at least 6 months if you can. I’ve found the lack of training in schools is generally met by quite low performance expectations initially…just try to find the helpful colleagues and pick their brains where you can.

Similar job here…generally it’s crazy busy day-to-day, everyone is wrapped up in their own dramas and no-one has the time to help out. I got there in the end but it took a good 6 months. In my experience some people are protectionist of their ‘areas’ and don’t want to share knowledge/help out…training is all safeguarding courses etc and nothing re admin systems. Everything I know of SIMS and Bromcom I learnt on the job.

I still don’t eat lunch and stay 20 mins late every day…however the kids are great, I feel I can really help and keep things moving now and it’s satisfying. I think schools know they’ll always get people applying due to the TTO only thing so they can be harsh places. I just posted a rant above re hrs/lack of communication in mine. But that TTO sweetness, and the kids, and the fact the day flies by, keeps me hanging on 😭

Admin? How much "training" do you need? (I work in admin too). Stop whining and start figuring things out!

Sorry but this is just rude. Of course you need some training. You can't just know stuff without being shown/told first. We all should expect at least a basic level of training/supervision when you first start somewhere. Take your lunch break OP. You really have to look after yourself especially in the school environment.

Thank you for this. I appreciate your comment. I have been shown absolutely nothing and would have expected to have the basics shown to me but not even that had happened which is disappointing. I'm the.n being left to deal with parents queries etc when I cant even access the system so I'm left to guess. It's been challenging. Thank you for the support.

Talk about rude! I was under the impression that this was a supportive community but clearly not. What happened to if you can't say anything nice dont say anything at all. I'm a high level experienced manager of 12 years. Came to this job to better the life of my children who have additional needs. I would have expected a certain level of training as this is a completely new role. And is the standard I have shown my team members in the past. Please get off my thread and go and bore someone else with your nasty comments! And thank you for ruining mums net for me. I'm disappointed in your poor attitude. Goodbye.

Yes thats a good idea. I will email them to cover myself as you said. Iv tried to catch management but they're always so busy I can never seem to get anyone's attention. And my direct manager is leaving so they've 'checked out' if you get my drift.
I'm basically dealing with the children that come in and out. We have all the choldren come In that are disregulated so have had to have them on my lap etc. And dealing with visitors and phonecalls etc. I'm just the middle man between the parents and the main receptionist if that makes sense.
As I can't access anything I just take messages and handle stuff as best as I can but the president Is that you work through lunch and finish late. Its sort of expected.
Thanks for your advise.

Have you got a computer? Are they in the process of getting you one? Have they requested a login to the system? I agree that it's poor. If it continues like this I'd start looking elsewhere.

This is so encouraging thank you. I was in my head debating how long to give it if that makes sense as I'm definitely not a quitter, more a rabbit in the headlights kind of thing.
I still don't have access to brom com - again the manager hasn't sorted it so iv just literally not been able to access anything lol. It's madness.
I'm hoping it will improve.
The holidays are the major bonus with my children and their needs so it's the absolute best thing for them.
And some of the children iv met so far are adorable and soooo funny.
The days have flown by but just felt like iv been busy doing nothing.
And your right, the staff are all so busy with their own things that they don't seem to have time to show me anything.

It's nice to hear you enjoy it now though..there is light at the end of the tunnel.

So firstly the most important thing is safeguarding. Have you had some safeguarding training? If not - push for this. And ask for it to be tailored to your role.
Do you know what to do when someone comes to reception and asks for a child?
Do you know the process for what happens when a child comes in? Why do they end up on your lap? That is very unusual- do you not call a member of staff to collect them?
Answering the phone is the best way to start learning. Pass messages on - you can't be expected to know the answers.
Don't try to run. Actually answering the phone and passing on messages is really helpful.
Do you do registers? That can be a good learning for the first week.
What is your job description?
There are always office jobs on the back burner....I usually have a pile of filing can you help that way?
Don't start missing lunch and working late. You absolutely aren't paid that much. (I do but don't expect any of the other staff to and I tell them that.)

I think you need to ask about safeguarding training. The DSL will be named on the website. Go and talk to them today. Don't have any more children on your lap, even if they are upset.

Find out who the first aiders are, and what the process is for dealing with sick/hurt children from them.

It sounds like primary so you won't have an IT department, but someome will be responsible for IT. Ask them for a computer, logins etc.

Your manager should have organised all this - they haven't and that's poor, but does anyone know? My SLT would be appalled at this if they knew and would move heaven and earth to fix it. If you aren't in the staff room at lunch you won't get to know if this is a manager problem or a school culture problem.

I'm afraid, if it's a school culture problem, I'd do a year for the experience and the CV and move. Changing that is not possible from your position. Good luck.

First class response there. Well done 🙄

Just came here by reading. Are you still in the school, Dear poster?

Hello, I'm curious to see how this worked out for you, are you still working at the school?
I've just started a new job in a school, they were made aware that I had no experience and the job clearly stated that training would be given, however, I've been left and I took feel like I'm drowning and.questioning my choice of job on the first place. Please tell me that this will get easier!

Are there any 'idiots guides' for how to do things ... normally schools have things like that.

Working in a school office is like no other admin job. I manage our office and we are on our 4th admin / receptionist in as many years as people underestimate what the job involves.

It is very poor that you have not been given training on the MIS system as you cannot do your job without access to this. Safeguarding training should have been given on that first day ideally and this indicates poor management. Is there a basic office 'how to' guide as this is a document I had created - i made a point of asking departing staff was there anything they felt could be added to the guide to help the incoming person - i was told it was a comprehensive guide.

I was told that you never have a true picture of the role until you have done a complete academic year and this is true.

The job is one of constant interruptions and I have got used to leaving a pile still to do at the end of the day - you only have so many hours at work and you can only do what you can do.

The job does get easier when you get to know the children and families as there are always some 'interesting' ones.

I have a very supportive head and SLT and this can make a world of difference in the role, you are 2 weeks into the new term and only a few weeks til half term and you may feel different then as you will have gained confidence and experience.