1. Home: Explore careers
  2. School secretary

School secretary

Alternative titles for this job include

School secretaries provide administrative support in schools.

Average salary (a year)

£15,000 Starter

to

£21,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

36 to 38 variable

You could work

term-time attending events or appointments

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become a school secretary

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • working towards this role
  • applying directly

College

You could complete a college course to get some of the skills needed for this job. Courses include:

  • Level 2 Award in Support Work in Schools
  • Level 3 Diploma in Business Administration
  • T level in Management and Administration

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T level

More Information

Apprenticeship

You can get into this job through a business administrator advanced apprenticeship or a school business professional higher apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

More Information

Work

You could start as an admin assistant in a larger school or multi-academy trust and work your way up to a post with more responsibility.

Direct Application

You could apply directly to become a school secretary. Employers would expect you to have a good standard of general education and experience of office work.

You should be able to use common office software including spreadsheets. Knowledge of accounts packages would also be helpful, although employers may provide training in some of these.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • administration skills
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to work well with others
  • the ability to work on your own
  • sensitivity and understanding
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • customer service skills
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

In your day-to-day duties you could:

  • act as the main contact for parents, governors and pupils
  • answer queries face to face, by email and by telephone
  • greet visitors and provide refreshments
  • use IT systems to run financial reports and other data analysis
  • keep paper and electronic records up to date
  • use reprographic equipment
  • order resources, pay invoices and bank cash
  • administer school meal payment system
  • attend appointments and meetings outside of normal working hours

Working environment

You could work in an office, in a reception area or at a school.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could progress to school business manager, or personal assistant (PA) to the headteacher.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Apprentice Business Administrator in Property Lettings

  • Wage: £9,379.50 Annually
  • Location: CLIFTONVILLE, MARGATE

Apprentice Office Administrator

  • Wage: £10,004.80 Annually
  • Location: Willowbridge Way, Castleford, West Yorkshire
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Business Administration

  • Provider: HULL COLLEGE
  • Start date: 06 September 2023
  • Location: Hull

Certificate in Business Administration (Administration & IT) - Adult

  • Provider: BRIDGWATER AND TAUNTON COLLEGE
  • Start date: 26 September 2023
  • Location: Bridgwater
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

The Find a job service can help you with your search for jobs and send alerts when new jobs become available.

Search further careers

Related careers

Skills assessment

Take an assessment to learn more about your skills and the careers that might suit you.

Speak to an adviser

You can call 0800 100 900 or use webchat to speak to an adviser.

We're open:

  • 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday
  • 10am to 5pm Saturday and bank holidays

We're closed Sunday, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Is this page useful?

Yes No

Thank you for your feedback.

Thank you for your feedback. Click here if you'd like to let us know how we can improve the service.