“The approach below is reported to have reduced stress and cut time spent on the task by administrators by around 50%.”

Over 50 administrators and bursars have now signed up for a radical new one-year course which encourages a complete re-thinking of the way in which the school office works. 

The Certificate in Educational Administration course which launched this year has the aim of cutting the stress and indeed the working hours of school administrators, by increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of their work. 

One of the great benefits of the programme is that everyone on the course can communicate with everyone else via the school administration virtual learning centre.  For many this is the first time that they have been able to exchange thoughts and ideas with fellow administrators across the UK.   

In one recent example the issue of handling attendance registers was highlighted, including the problem of dealing with the parents of pupils who were away without explanation.  Administrators and bursars found that there were many different systems of dealing with this problem, and as a result a report was produced which set out the most efficient and effective way of handling the issue.  This “best practice” approach was reported to have reduced stress and cut time spent on the task by at least 50%. 

The distance learning Certificate in Educational Administration course lasts one year and is run by the School of Educational Administrators – a body that works in partnership with the PatT trade union.    The course is validated by the Institute of Administrative Management, who also validate the bursars’ courses at the NCSL. 

The course has admission points in January, May and September.  For a prospectus please call 01536 399 007 or email Marika@admin.org.uk .   For a copy of the free report on handling attendance issues, please email Reports@admin.org.uk and ask for the Attendance report.  

There is also more information on the SEA’s website