Administrators are responsible for providing administrative support for an office or department within a school. They play a crucial role in the day-to-day life of a school by providing a wide range of administrative support to keep everything running as smoothly as possible.
What’s involved
An administrator's role depends on whether it’s a small primary school or a large secondary school, for example, where duties will be divided up between a team. But expect the role to cover the following:
• welcoming visitors to the school and dealing with their enquiries
• answering the phone
• administration relating to pupil attendance
• managing email/post
• using IT systems to draft letters, emails, reports, newsletters
• monitoring school supplies
• keeping financial records
• keeping paper and electronic records up to date
• using reprographic equipment
• ordering resources, paying invoices and banking cash
• sending key educational data about the school to the Department of Education or equivalent
Skills and experience you will need
• excellent spoken and written communication skills
• methodical and well-organised
• able to work accurately and pay attention to detail
• confidence with figures
• good ICT skills
• able to relate well with pupils, teachers and parents
• able to prioritise work
• sensitivity and understanding
• to be flexible and open to change
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
Entry requirements
It is up to schools and local authorities (LAs) to decide what qualifications and experience applicants need to have, so it is important to check locally. Some may employ people on the basis of their experience and potential alone. Others may require a qualification, such as in English and maths.
The following qualification is available for those not yet employed in the role:
• Level 2 Award in Support Work in Schools