Hours and Environment
Most support staff roles require you to work during school hours, typically from 8:30 until 15:00 Monday to Friday. Certain roles may require you to be in school earlier or later than the start and end times. Other roles may require you to work for a few hours during school time.

Entry
Most support staff roles require no formal entry qualification; however, this is to the discretion of the school. It is worth contacting schools to find out what qualities and experience are desired of a candidate. In some cases previous experience of working with children may be required. For those working with food, new legislation requires the candidate to hold a food hygiene certificate.

Training
The School Workforce Development Board has created a three-year strategy for support staff development and training. In line with this agreement a number of courses have been designed to meet the SWDB’s aims. Information about these courses may be undertaken through the school with which you are working and may be attended during term time.

If you are not affiliated with a school a number of courses are available at local Adult Community Colleges. From teaching assistant to catering, finance to school governor, training courses are available to help you gain the entry requirements or to develop your career. See http://www.essexcc.gov.uk/acl for details of courses.

Annual Income
There is no national pay scale for support staff and wage rates are set by each Local Authority. Salaries differ on a regional basis. Earnings depend on the size of the school and the responsibilities undertaken and some support staff roles are paid term-time only.

Vacancies
Essex schools are responsible for employing their own staff. Schools may advertise current vacancies on their websites, in local/regional newspapers or in shop windows.

Alternatively, vacancies are advertised online at www.essexschoolsjobs.co.uk and in the weekly publication Jobscene which can be requested free of charge by calling (01245) 436252 or by emailing teaching@essexcc.gov.uk

It is widely recommended that the most effective route is to contact the schools directly and enquire about current vacancies or the possibility of initial voluntary work within the school.

General Sites

Training and Development Agency for Schools
Pages about support staff roles and development
www.tda.gov.uk/support.aspx

Essex County Council Schools Workforce Development Team
Local information about support staff roles and training opportunities in Essex
www.essexschoolsjobs.co.uk

Learndirect
The learndirect website provides profiles of many of the roles in schools.
www.learndirect.co.uk

skills4schools
Skills4schools is an online resource to help school staff access learning opportunities at work
www.skills4schools.org.uk