So you like the idea of working in a school environment, but you’re not sure about teaching. Or perhaps you already have administration skills from a previous role and think that an admin job in a school would suit you.
Admin jobs in schools is a term that is used to cover any of the numerous non-teaching jobs and any one of them can lead to a career in the very rewarding job of a school administrator.
You might like to look at a school administrator position as a school secretary or administrative assistant. This is a vital position to ensure that everything runs smoothly at the school.
If you are super organised, friendly and approachable then a career in the administration department of a school might just be up your street.
Ok, I’ve got a lot to cover, so please read on to find out much more information about the role of a school administrator.
So, what does a school administrator do?
If you decide to get into the school administrator side of education, you’ll find this is an extremely varied position. If doing the same old thing every day frustrates you, then a school administrator could match you perfectly.
The very nature of any school administrator position will depend on which type of school you decide to work at.
By that I mean, the administrative position for a primary school will be much different from a large secondary school, for example.
For smaller schools, you might like the fact you’ll be involved in a much wider range of duties. Whereas in a large school, your duties will probably be much more specialized.
If you’re good with numbers, you might choose to work in the financial administration department. Or perhaps the data and information management department might be more your cup of tea.
At the very heart of all administrative positions is the need to ensure the school runs effectively.
Basic responsibilities - admin jobs in schools
Your responsibilities as a school administrator will depend on many things. But here are some of the duties and responsibilities you may be called on to cover.
The foundation of your position will be to provide support to the teachers and staff. You’ll manage the full cycle of students as they progress through the school, from registration through to graduation.
You may be tasked with coordinating with the academic board, the governing body and focus groups.
You might work with the recruitment team and the marketing department. Or perhaps help with purchasing goods and equipment. And even supervising other administrative staff.
There is a good chance you’ll be asked to coordinate with the teachers during examinations and the assessment processes.
Do you like preparing reports and statistics? Because this is another area school administrators help out with.
See, I told you it is a very exciting and varied position.
Let’s keep moving…
How do you get into the admin side of teaching?
Right, as you can probably imagine, there are a lot of school administrators all across the UK. In fact, it is believed there are approximately 55,000 administrators working in nursery, primary and secondary schools.
You should know that this type of job is very competitive, due to the hours of work and holiday allowance.
If you are interested in working in the vibrant London Borough of Lambeth, we have created an informative, up to date, and detailed web page where we list all kinds of job vacancies. You can access that page here: https://teachlambeth.com/jobs/
If on the day you look, you can’t find anything interesting, you can sign up to receive specific job alerts for vacancies that interest you by clicking the relevant buttons.
Average salaries for admin jobs in schools
I’m sure you have been waiting to find out how much you can earn as a school administrator, so here goes.
Currently, you could expect a starting salary of approximately £17,000 to £26,000. And once you have more experience, you could be looking at a salary of between £27,000 and £40,000. If you keep going up, as far as the managerial level, your salary could reach more than £50,000. Pretty decent, right?
Usually, universities have standard set pay scales. But schools and colleges might be a bit more flexible with their salary structures. Plus, your final salary will depend on a host of things, such as your specific role, your level of responsibility, and your location.
Please remember that these and any income figures you might find on this website are intended as a guide only.
What else can you expect from an admin job in a school?
Most schools are busy workplaces, and at certain times of the school year, they might seem impossibly busy. And a lot of school administrators love this aspect of the job.
The work can be challenging, fun, varied. Sometimes you might be asked to travel locally and further afield, such as for national conferences and training events.
One thing is for sure, the school administrator’s job is never boring. In the morning, you might be needed to book some minibuses or accommodation for an upcoming school trip. Then in the afternoon, you could be helping to sell raffle tickets or tickets for the school play. Perhaps the next day, you could be jetting off to attend a conference.
You might not be told about these duties in your basic job description, but they will enrich your working career as a school administrator.
What qualifications do you need for an admin job in a school?
You might be happy to know that you don't need a degree to work in education administration. But, this is role dependent.
If you want to start at the ground level, the school might be happy with a few GCSEs. But senior roles will probably require a degree.
Having a degree will help you stand out from the competition. As you know, it’s very competitive out there. Therefore, it is going to benefit your application for a school administrator position if you have a degree.
But if you don’t have a degree, and it is your desire to work as a school administrator, don’t let the lack of a degree deter you.
There are many qualifications you can have which will show the school you can be a valuable employee. If you have a qualification in IT, business admin or word processing, these will all help in your application.
And if you don’t have those, there’s nothing stopping you from taking some extra courses to build up your portfolio.
If you are interested in a more specialist admin position like HR officer or in marketing, then more than likely, they’ll require a relevant degree.
What skills will you need for an admin job in a school?
As with many positions in the education field, you’ll need strong interpersonal skills. These will help you understand students from their side. You’ll also get along better with the academic staff members, all the teachers, as well as the senior management.
You’ll also need to be great working within a team. Plus, being able to work alone without supervision is always a huge benefit. No one will want to babysit you, even though you’ll have tremendous support, at least in your initial phase.
You should also possess the ability to deal with change because you’re going to need it.
This is an administrative position, so excellent written skills are a basic requirement. In addition, organising, prioritising and managing your time effectively are also basic requirements.
This is a computer-based position, so you’ll be using IT skills such as word processing, working with spreadsheets, looking after databases and using the internet every day.
What work experience will you need for an admin job?
As we’ve already mentioned, the modern workplace is highly competitive. So, if you expect to walk into a highly paid position with no experience or qualifications, you’re sadly mistaken.
Most office positions these days require experience and the more you have, the more your chances will increase.
Therefore, if you are lacking in experience and qualifications, then it is probably best to spend the next 12 months building up your portfolio.
This might not be what you want to hear, but achieving a few applicable qualifications, and some administrative experience first, will put you in a better position to achieve the position you really desire.
Many schools offer opportunities for part-time employment when they are busy. This could be the perfect position for you, while you get some more qualifications.
As mentioned earlier we have a detailed web page where you can find part-time school administrator positions and all kinds of job vacancies. You can access that page here: https://teachlambeth.com/jobs/
If you are struggling to find a position, how about contacting your old high school, and seeing if they can give you some part-time hours?
What kind of professional development is available with admin jobs?
One of the great things about working in education is the fact there is always more training on offer.
Didn’t you know, it suits our employers to have highly trained staff? That way we can offer the best teaching to all our pupils. Therefore, if you’d like to know if there are professional development opportunities available as a school administrator, then the answer is yes.
As soon as you start your new position, you’ll probably be enrolled on an induction program.
This is designed to make sure you understand the school, and the specific systems they use. And if you have a position in a specialist area, such as finance, there will most likely be specialized training for that position.
Most schools will encourage you to continue your professional development and your performance review will reflect that if you are eager to improve your skills.
Professional qualifications are always admired and taken into consideration when you apply for a promotion. In addition, you’ll probably be given time off to study, especially if you can complete the qualification at your own institution.
What career prospects are available with admin jobs?
Again, once you’re working in the education field, you’ll soon realize there are many opportunities to move into other roles or gain promotion to a higher level. And an added benefit is you’ll be one of the first to know when internal vacancies come up.
As you get used to your job and gain experience, there’s no doubt that you won’t want to sit still. You’ll want to develop your skills and interests and look for opportunities to improve your situation and salary.
Sometimes you might need to change school to get that dream position, but this is par for the course in education. This is especially true if you are looking for a senior position. Be prepared though, because the higher you go, the more competitive it can get. However, with the right preparation, a strong work ethic and dedication, you will be successful in your endeavours.
Final thoughts on admin jobs in schools?
So, there you have it. I hope you’ve found this article helpful and informative.
The school administrator position is very competitive, due to the hours of work and a great holiday allowance. Therefore, once you get started in your school admin position, I’m sure you’ll have a ton of fun.
One of the best things about this position is you’ll always be learning new skills. And as you get more experienced and skilful, there are many opportunities to increase your salary.
Be prepared that your school might select you to take on training courses. Some of these could be internal, but a lot will be away from your school, and sometimes that might be staying away from home for the weekend. These can be a lot of fun! (Enough said)…