If you like the idea of working in a school, but don’t want to teach or be in the classroom, you might be interested in one of the many non-teaching jobs that schools offer – such as a school administrator.
School administration jobs.
The role of the school administrator is many and varied. The specific nature of any school administrator’s work will depend on the type of school they work in, and the size of the clerical or administrative team. The demands on someone in a primary school administrator job will inevitably be significantly different from an administrator based in a large secondary school, working as part of a wider administrative team
Administrative roles within schools may be generalised, incorporating all aspects of school administration, or specialised within a particular area, for example financial administration or data and information management
Despite the multi-faceted and variable nature of school administrator roles, the core elements are always focused on ensuring that the school runs effectively. School administrators are often multi-skilled, and much of their work is based on excellent organisation and the ability to communicate politely and effectively.
School administrator job responsibilities.
The list below outlines some of the duties that a school administrator may be asked to carry out:
Enquiries.
School administrators are often a focal point for enquiries, and the first-point provider of information.
They may be approached by staff, pupils and parents, either in person or via telephone, email or letter. As well as maintaining a high degree of professionalism, customer service and discretion, an ability to stay cool and be sympathetic is key.
Communications and liaison.
The circulation of information amongst staff, pupils and their parents is the responsibility of a school administrator. Often this involves the distribution of written information, so being able to write clearly and effectively is important.
In addition to communicating within the school setting (staff, governors, pupils and parents), school administrators may also be expected to liaise with other institutions, external agencies and local authorities.
Organising and servicing meetings.
These might include staff meetings, meetings of school governors, and school committees and boards, with tasks including organising and circulating information about the meeting, the preparation and distribution of agendas before the meeting, and minute-taking and distribution of minutes and action points after the meeting.
Administration of the “student lifecycle”.
Co-ordinating the recording or collation of information from registration, absences, assessments and examinations.
Data entry and management.
School administrators may be responsible for the school’s management information system (MIS), requiring a high level of IT proficiency. Or may be involved in the collation and as a professional role on entry of data relating to various areas of school activity. As such, school administrators play a key role in school record-keeping. You may start as a data entry clerk position and climb up to the ladder of success.
Preparation of reports and statistics.
The data held within the MIS may be used by the administrator in the preparation of reports and statistics for either use within the school (e.g. staff and management meetings) or externally (e.g. submitting reports or statistical information to local authorities).
Budgets and financial records.
Some school administrators are involved at a high level in the management of school budgets and financial records; others may be concerned with school finances on a lesser scale involving dinner money, school trips and other funds.
General office duties.
In addition to handling phone calls, emails and letters, this may include filing, photocopying and other clerical tasks. School administrators are generally expected to have a good level of IT literacy and to be confident in word processing.
Organising and facilitating educational and social activities
The school administrator may be asked to be involved in anything from booking minibuses and theatre tickets or accommodation for school trips, to selling raffle tickets, school dance tickets or helping to organise the PTA’s pie and pea supper!
The varied nature of a school’s activities means that you could end up volunteering as the back end of a pantomime horse, baking 300 cupcakes, or jetting off to a conference. These added extras may not be in your job description and are certainly not obligatory, but they can all enrich the working day!
