School admin interview

[Glitterbells9]

Hey!

Im up for a school admin job, I am so excited.

There is a test first 😫 Can anyone shed any light on to what this maybe?

Email said no need to prepare, but I want to.

Ive not done admin since 2018 and only a year then. But as everyone does, Id really like the hours/holidays to suit around my children.

It isnt at my kids school.

My test involved working out the cost per child of a school trip with various costs (entry fee/coach etc), then drafting the letter to parents.
Good luck!

Oh thank you!

I’l look over my own children's trip letters before I go.

Did they make you do it on excel? Xx

My tests were prioritising a lists of tasks for the day. Top tip - safeguarding is always number 1.

I also had to type a letter in response to a request for absence. This was done on a laptop in Word.

You might have to say what you would prioritise from a list of things the admin team could come across - which in a school could be anything! Good luck.

My test involved calculating the price per child for a school trip based on ticket prices, a prioritisation task and drafting a school newsletter.

Good luck!

Agreed with above - writing a letter or email, a prioritisation task and something about numbers / trips / money are the most likely ones. Maybe using excel or Google sheets for that last one. Last time I did a school admin interview the task had to be handwritten and the pens they provided were awful (not sure if that was deliberate!) so I’d make sure you have a pen with you that writes well!

For interview questions - highly likely to get something that needs you to cite safeguarding / reporting, maybe something about what to do if a child is ill or in distress. Also something about cross and angry or upset parents ringing or complaining in the office and how you would deal with it.

good luck! School admin is a great place to work, I really miss it!

Noted.

Thank you. Did you get the job? Xx

Ooh this seems to be re-occurring theme. Thanks.

Did you need to work it out on excel or just yourself?

Did you get the job?

I think I used Excel/calculator!

It was along the lines of they wanted me to work out first of all how many children would be going (e.g. I had a list of numbers in year groups and they said the trip was for Year 2), and how much the cost would be for pupil premium children if the school contributed 20% for their tickets.

I did get the job - it's the most tiring job I've ever had and can be quite tough some days but it's also the best job I've ever had!

Any safeguarding question - say I’d tell the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). Don’t promise to keep a secret. Acknowledge if can happen anywhere and it’s everyone’s job to be vigilant. Stop there.

Otherwise usual interview stuff, don’t be late, wear something suitable, speak clearly and not in a rush. If you don’t understand the question, ask for it to be repeated.
If you’ve been told to bring stuff, bring that stuff - paperwork, ID, etc.

If you have time, look at the school’s website, have an idea of what they are proud of, what they like to show off, facilities, etc.

And good luck!

Safeguarding trumps EVERYTHING so learn what to do if a child discloses something to you (don't promise confidentiality, write it down, don't ask leading questions, reassure the child they have done the right thing by telling you).
Also, a good questionntonask would be about attendance as the guidance is changing from August - maybe ask what their attendance figures are and if they are on target.

Top notch advice. Worked in school admin for 20 years. Good luck!

Yes I did! I had never worked in a school before either and was taking a step down from being an admin manager to get a better work life balance.

I love it. Best job I've ever had.

Good luck!!

My task was typing a letter from a written draft (7 ish years ago)

And yep, safeguarding. Kids come first always.

School values / motto

Good luck 🍀

Thanks everyone, I am excited and nervous. The school is in a very deprived area and they made it very clear when I went for my walk around. I will swat up before my interview, all the info is very helpful. Hours are perfect (less than school hours) it would be ideal, If I can get it 🤞🏼x

Best of luck

They may do a pretend phone call with a parent. If they do don't forget to take full details (name of child, form group, parent name, phone number). Most staff won't be available for calls so be prepared to take a message.

Oooh great, thank you xx

I didnt get the job!

’A close 2nd’ ‘Down to the wire between you’

The tasks were to prioritise xyz (I put safe guarding as 1) and worked backwards from there. Then write an email from an after school club.

I was told this wasnt a pass or fail but more to see where you were up to, and what they’d need to guide anyone with.

Interview went so well, I hoped it was in the bag. I gave my best. I was on such a high after the interview (she was asking me out of interview on route to leaving if Id be fine getting across town in the AM)

I was unprepared for the ‘unsuccessful’ phone call. Well tbh when at 9.30 I still hadnt heard I thought it cant be good news.

Ive been so down all day, Ive even cried 😭

Apart from being the otherside of town I could really see myself there, doing the job.

I had been twice for a walk around that lasted an hour, due to it being a bug school and getting on and the interview was 20m in the office and 40mins interview.

I work in private. My tests involved:
Online spelling test
Online how fast I can type
Sat in a busy office answering questions to emails
Writing a letter within a letter template
Two interviews

So sorry you didn’t get it. Take a lot from it, you are ready for the next one and you did really well.

Also, just as a maybe, the first person may not accept for whatever reason and they might ring you up anyway. I have had to do that on occasion, feels a bit silly but end up with a good candidate anyway.

Thanks, I am really hoping something comes up and she cant take it. But I doubt it, these jobs are like gold dust arent they. Unless it doesnt work out with her in September (I can only hope 🤞🏼)

Yes she told me to keep applying for schools in my call, which was a nice boost and that I did well in my interview. To take the positives.

I returned to work after a 7 year career break. I had done a return to work program in the City and that hadn't worked out. I interviewed with a local authority. I didn't get offered the job but I received very good feedback, similar to yours, that I should continue to apply for roles because I was a very good candidate. The following month I saw "me" advertised in a role. I applied and against competition from people who had already been doing the job for several years. I was offered the role. I had to move schools a few years later. Sadly not such a good culture. But best of luck in your next application.

Thank you, glad you found something else. Yes maybe something more suited, or closer will come along 🤞🏼xx

Sorry you didn't get it. I would suggest asking if you can volunteer in any schools in admin support ? Even if doing filing or putting labels on books, it will give you good insight. If no no, volunteering at a major charity in office role really helped, anywhere where discretion and confidentiality are key.

I did wonder if that was a possibility to gain some school office experience.

Ive applied for another job, if I dont get anywhere I will offer my services as a volunteer locally.

Thank you xx