Support roles in schools
Work in a school – without being a teacher
Schools need more than teachers. They need people who can organise, manage, fix, support, and care.
What kind of roles are there?
They include things like:
Admin officer
Keep the school running smoothly. Help managing communications, organising records, and supporting the leadership team.
Catering assistant
Nourish young minds by preparing and serving meals. Help create a welcoming environment at lunchtime.
Site manager
Take care of the school building and grounds. Make sure everything is safe, clean and ready for learning.
IT technician
From classroom devices to admin systems, help keep the school’s tech working. Supporting staff and students with digital tools.
Finance or HR assistant
Support the school’s operations by managing budgets, payroll, recruitment and staff wellbeing.
What experience do I need?
You don’t need to have worked in a school before. Many support roles are open to people with experience in other sectors. Especially if you’re organised, practical, or good with people.
Here are some examples of transferable skills and how they apply:
Retail
- Used to working in busy environments.
- Great at customer service and communication.
- Comfortable handling money, stock or supplies.
Useful for: admin roles, catering, finance, reception
Hospitality
- Skilled at working under pressure
- Friendly and welcoming with customers
- Used to managing food hygiene and safety
Useful for: catering assistant, site support, admin
Customer service
- Confident communicator
- Good at solving problems and staying calm
- Experienced in handling queries and complaints
Useful for: admin officer, HR assistant, reception
Office admin
- Organised and detail-focused
- Comfortable with paperwork and digital systems
- Used to supporting teams and managing schedules
Useful for: admin officer, finance, HR, school business manager
Facilities or maintenance
- Skilled in repairs, cleaning or site safety
- Used to managing buildings and equipment
- Able to work independently and spot issues early
Useful for: site manager, premises officer, caretaker
Fantastic benefits
Great holidays, flexible hours, and discounts you might not expect.See what benefits you get when you work in a Manchester school.