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School secretaries provide administrative support in schools by keeping and maintaining school records and performing a range of routine clerical tasks within the school.

Main tasks

  • Arranges payment of invoices, handles cash.
  • Orders equipment and stationery.
  • Undertakes reception duties for visitors, handles face-to-face and telephone enquiries and passes on messages.
  • Handles enquiries from parents and arranges meetings with members of staff.
  • Maintains administrative records relating to pupils and staff, and generates statistical and other reports.
  • Types directly or transcribes letters, reports and other documents, and prints or photocopies documents as required.
  • Sorts, files and otherwise deals with incoming and outgoing correspondence.

Source: Office for National Statistics.

Salary and earnings

Potential earnings

£37,481.14

Average earnings

£20,467.84

Source: Office for National Statistics' Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE).

Skills & knowledge

The top 5 most important skills and knowledge requirements relevant to this career.

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Clerical

Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.

Customer and Personal Service

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

English Language

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Education and Training

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Mathematics

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

What course level do I need to study?

The level of study required will vary with each job, sector and company. The table below shows the level of study achieved by those currently working in this career choice.

Educational requirements: Level 2 NVQ; GCSE at grades A*-C

Source: Office for National Statistics.

Level of study Percentage achieved
Level 0 3%
Level 1 7%
Level 2 30%
Level 3 23%
Level 4-5 (Higher Education) 12%
Level 6 (Bachelors) 22%
Level 7 (Masters or equivalent) 2%
Level 8 (Doctorate) 1%

Source: Labour Force Survey (LFS) data.

Economic data for careers is provided by Lightcast and also available through our Career Coach app. Job postings, employment and earnings information is represented at the regional level for the East Midlands.