At a Glance
- Tasks: Plan and manage exams, ensuring everything runs smoothly and fairly.
- Company: A vibrant North London secondary school dedicated to student success.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, term-time work, and a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Play a crucial role in students' academic journeys and make a real difference.
- Qualifications: GCSEs in English and Maths; experience in school admin is a plus.
- Other info: Dynamic role with peak periods during exam seasons and opportunities for professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
An Exams Officer is responsible for the planning, administration, and secure delivery of examinations in a school, college, or training centre, ensuring all exams run fairly and in line with awarding-body regulations.
Core Responsibilities
- Exam administration
- Enter candidates for exams accurately and on time
- Manage exam timetables, rooms, seating plans, and invigilation
- Liaise with awarding bodies (e.g. JCQ, AQA, Pearson, OCR, WJEC)
- Ensure exams follow strict exam-board and JCQ rules
- Maintain exam security (papers, storage, access)
- Manage access arrangements and reasonable adjustments
- Brief and supervise invigilators
- Handle incidents, emergencies, and malpractice procedures
- Ensure correct conduct and reporting
- Dispatch scripts securely
- Manage results days, enquiries about results (EARs), and appeals
- Oversee certificates distribution and records retention
- Maintain accurate candidate records
- Communicate clearly with staff, students, parents, and exam boards
Key Skills & Attributes
- Excellent organisation and attention to detail
- Strong administrative and IT skills
- Ability to work under pressure and meet fixed deadlines
- Clear communication and diplomacy
- Integrity and understanding of confidentiality
Qualifications & Experience
- No single required qualification, but:
- GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and Maths are usually expected
- Experience in school administration is highly valued
- Training in JCQ regulations and exam-board systems (e.g. A2C, EDI)
- Many Exams Officers gain certification through local authorities or professional bodies
Working Pattern
- Often term-time plus, with peak workloads during exam seasons (e.g. May June, January)
- Can involve early starts and occasional extended hours during exams
We reserve the right to bring forward the closing date of the adverts should we receive a sufficient level of interest!
Exams Officer for North London Secondary School employer: Principal Education
Contact Detail:
Principal Education Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Exams Officer for North London Secondary School
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former Exams Officers and ask them about their experiences. They might have insider tips or even know about job openings that aren't advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on JCQ regulations and exam-board systems. Show us you know your stuff, and don’t forget to highlight your organisational skills and attention to detail!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! You’ll need to liaise with students, parents, and exam boards, so being clear and diplomatic is key. Maybe do a mock interview with a friend to get comfortable.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and eager to join our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Exams Officer for North London Secondary School
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Exams Officer role. Highlight your experience in school administration and any relevant qualifications, like your GCSEs in English and Maths. We want to see how you fit into our team!
Show Off Your Organisation Skills: Since this role is all about planning and organisation, give us examples of how you've managed timetables or handled multiple tasks under pressure. We love seeing candidates who can juggle responsibilities while keeping everything on track!
Communicate Clearly: In your written application, make sure your communication is clear and professional. This role involves liaising with various stakeholders, so demonstrating your ability to convey information effectively is key. We appreciate a well-structured application!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our team at the North London Secondary School!
How to prepare for a job interview at Principal Education
✨Know Your Exam Regulations
Familiarise yourself with the key regulations from awarding bodies like JCQ, AQA, and Pearson. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you understand the compliance aspect of the role and are ready to ensure exams run smoothly.
✨Showcase Your Organisation Skills
Prepare examples of how you've managed complex schedules or handled multiple tasks under pressure. This role requires excellent organisation, so demonstrating your ability to juggle exam timetables and seating plans will impress the interviewers.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and diplomatically. You’ll need to liaise with students, parents, and staff, so showcasing your communication skills during the interview is crucial. Consider role-playing common scenarios you might face in the role.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Think about potential incidents or emergencies that could arise during exams and how you would handle them. Being prepared with thoughtful responses will demonstrate your ability to think on your feet and manage stressful situations effectively.