Job working at a school / school holidays

[natalie_1982]

I have seen a job advertised, that I have applied for, at a school. I wondered if anyone knew how they work out the annual salary? i.e. if it was for arguments sake �20k per annum, does that take into account the school holidays? These are all questions I would obviously ask at interview if I got that far, but interviews aren't set until Jan 26th so I was just wondering in the meantime. I can't see anything in the job spec that says anything about it. Thanks x

[sunflower68]

Hi natalie I work in a school and am paid the same at the end of every month, 12 months per year. If you added it all up it doesn't make a great salary but then I have all my holidays and I don't pay a childminder to watch my kids during those times.
Does the salary package say 'pro rata' because if so then 20k will not be likely to be 20k after the hols are incorporated x

[natalie_1982]

Thanks for your answer sunflower, I just checked and it does say pro rata :-(

My daughter is only 8months old so is in day care nursery whilst I am at work, although school hours will be ideal in a few years; at the moment I will have to pay for her nursery placement throughout the summer even if she doesn't go just to ensure she has it when I go back to work in September :-o

[bensmum2]

Hi natalie
I also work in a school although my job is 52 weeks per year. With the termtime only staff they are generally paid for 44 weeks per year and actually expected to work for 40 (the other 4 weeks are to do with annual leave - all staff are entitled to paid leave). The actual salary would then be paid at 44/52 over the 12 months so that you get the same each month. The amount would depend on how many hours per week you work as well. Good luck!

[natalie_1982]

Thanks bensmum - that makes sense. I have been looking at going part time (to three days) in my current job, and the job I am going for is 30 hours per week so would be more hours than three day part time, but having the summer off with her would more than make up for that!

Thanks again both, will keep my fingers crossed I get an interview now x

[saxy_jag]

I remember when I worked in a school (classroom asst), it was full-time, in term time only, with full school holidays. Therefore my pay was equivalent to part-time. Whatever, my total salary was divided into twelve and I received the same each month.

Some staff were paid retainers through the holidays (ie a minimal wage just to say you were still 'on the books') - this was mainly kitchen and cleaning staff.

[factor-fiction]

You may want to check that the salary isn't pro-rated twice- once to reflect the part time hours (30 rather than whatever the full week is- maybe 35 hours) and a further prorating to reflect the fact that it covers 44 weeks not 52

[natalie_1982]

Saxy, it's PA to headteacher so I doubt I would get a retained. Although, I wonder if that would affect me being able to temp throughout the holidays if I wanted to?

Thanks factor, it is pro rata'd at 37 hours and 52weeks but they are willing to take someone on from 30+ hours.

[sunflower68]

I would imagine you can do what you like in the hols Natalie. Sorry to be nosey but out of interest, is it in the East Anglian area?

[natalie_1982]

Not nosey sunflower lol - it's in the Oxford area. Although my dad lives up in Norfolk and I am always on the lookout for similar work up there!

[thugulike]

As a rough rule of thumb term time working equated pay is about 10% less than full year pay

[sunflower68]

There is a pa job going round here but if it was the same job you were applying to I would have had serious concerns and warned you off working for her lol !!
Anyway all is good so good luck I hope you get it! : )

[Aprilis]

Natalie, you should check that you would only be working during term time. I also work in a school. I'm a Lab Technician and we do only work term time but many of the admin staff don't get all of the school hols off. PA to the Head is one of those that works most of the year in our school. Having said that, ours is a very large secondary school and 6th form college. If you are talking about a smaller school or a primary school it could well be different. My daughter goes to a tiny little primary school and few, if any, of the staff work during the school hols.