School secretary

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

Courses include:

• support work in schools
• business administration
• T level in Management and Administration

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
• guide to T Levels|https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/
• search for courses|/find-a-course

You could apply to do a Business Administrator Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship or a School Business Professional Level 4 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

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

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

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.

Career Tips

School secretaries may be employed term-time only. A working week can vary from a few hours up to full time.

Advertised pay rates are often listed as full-time equivalent (FTE) or pro rata. Actual pay will depend on the number of hours you work over a year.

As a school secretary, 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 records up to date
• use scanners, photocopiers and printers
• order resources, pay invoices and deal with banking
• manage the school meal payment system

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