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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 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

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

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

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

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

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

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Business Administration Level 3 Apprentice : Legal & Compliance Department

  • Wage: £195.75 - £369.45 Weekly
  • Location:

Apprentice Administrator/Receptionist

  • Wage: £144.30 Weekly
  • Location:
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Administration

  • Provider: BEDFORDSHIRE & LUTON EDUCATION BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP
  • Start date: 01 September 2021
  • Location: Dunstable

Business Administration

  • Provider: HOPWOOD HALL COLLEGE
  • Start date: 02 August 2021
  • Location:
Find courses near you

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