Exam Invigilator

The Society of Heads; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 21,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

School lunch provided

On-site parking

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

King’s Ely is seeking Exam Invigilators to join the Invigilating Team. The role requires supporting exam sessions, ensuring JCQ compliance, and maintaining a calm, orderly environment for pupils aged 2‑18 across multiple campuses.

The position is a zero-hour contract with start in January 2027, offering £13.38 per hour and benefits such as lunch provided, on-site parking, and access to an employee assistance programme. Training and safeguarding responsibilities are essential.

Qualifications

• Thorough understanding of Safeguarding and Child Protection Issues.
• Proven ability to empathise and relate positively to young people.
• Ability to follow instructions from JCQ guidelines and Exams Officer.
• Willingness to learn how equipment used by students with access arrangements operates.

Responsibilities

• Attend briefings at the Exams Office on exam days as required.
• Set up the exam room and start the exam with correct instructions.
• Complete the seating plan and check attendance, logging issues as needed.
• Record events in the incident log and assist with post-exam procedures.
• Be prepared to evacuate and supervise candidates during exams.
• Finish exams taking into account extra-time or late arrivals.
• Return papers and participate in refresher training; travel around a large site as needed.

Skills

Safeguarding

Empathy for students

Follow JCQ guidelines

Access arrangements training

Job description

Summary

King's Ely is looking to appoint Exam Invigilators to join the Invigilating Team.

An introduction to King's Ely

King’s Ely exists to make the most and best of childhood, and in particular to give the very best education, opportunities and pastoral care to as diverse a community of children as we can. In doing so we aim to prepare each one to live positive, productive, successful and fulfilled lives, for the betterment of themselves and the world around them. We achieve this through the operation of a family of schools centred around a 2‑19 co‑educational day and boarding school in Ely, aiming to draw fully on our exceptional environment, history, physical, cultural, spiritual and human resources in doing so.

Purpose, Ethos and Values

King’s Ely exists to make the most and best of childhood, and in particular to give the very best education, opportunities and pastoral care to as diverse a community of children as we can. In doing so we aim to prepare each one to live positive, productive, successful and fulfilled lives, for the betterment of themselves and the world around them. We achieve this through the operation of a family of schools centred around a 2‑19 co‑educational day and boarding school in Ely, aiming to draw fully on our exceptional environment, history, physical, cultural, spiritual and human resources in doing so.

History

King’s Ely can trace its origins from at least 970AD, making it one of the oldest schools in Europe. The School was first established to educate the choristers of the worshipping community of Ely and throughout our history we have maintained strong links with Ely Cathedral.

In 1541, King Henry VIII founded a College of Canons at Ely Cathedral to replace the monks whose monastery has been dissolved in 1539 and the School received its Royal Charter, later becoming known as “The King’s School”.

King’s Ely Today

In recent years King’s has expanded rapidly, becoming co‑educational in 1970, and today educating around 1100 children aged 2‑18 at Ely, including 185 boarders.

The school is divided into three sections: King’s Ely Senior (age 13‑18) and King’s Ely Prep (age 7‑13), which occupy adjacent campuses and benefit from shared facilities, and King’s Ely Acremont and Nursery (ages 2‑6) which have their own self‑contained campus about 400m from the main site. Additionally, Fairstead House School in Newmarket (for pupils aged 1‑11) joined the King’s Ely family of schools in 2022.

The main campus extends to around 75 acres and contains buildings spanning the thirteenth to twenty‑first centuries, including many of the historic monastic buildings adjacent to Ely Cathedral as well as more recent, purpose‑built facilities and almost 40 acres of playing fields.

King’s Ely plays a key role in the local community. We are one of Ely’s largest employers and contribute greatly to the local economy, and we also continue to educate the choristers of Ely Cathedral. King’s Ely also offers a number of bursaries to enable pupils from all walks of life to benefit from the education it offers.

In its recent ISI Inspection (March 2025), King’s Ely was found to meet or to exceed all regulatory standards. In addition, the Inspectors judged the School to have a significant strength in the way in which its high quality pastoral care is interwoven with a dynamic enrichment programme. This enables “pupils of all ages to develop their independence, intellectual curiosity, creativity and socialization particularly well”.

The School is rightfully proud of the Inspection. It is testament to the community spirit of King’s Ely and the commitment and respect shown each day by pupils, staff and their families.

King’s Ely is affiliated with the HMC, Society of Heads, IAPS, the Boarding Schools’ Association and the Choir Schools’ Association.

Job Description

• Attend briefings at the Exams Office or Learning Support area at specified times on the days of exams when required to do so.
• Following the briefing, be aware of candidates with access arrangements/involved in timetable clashes/involved in examinations where special materials or resources are allowed/with any health issues/who may be external candidates.
• Ensure all candidates have an equal opportunity to demonstrate their abilities and, as such, be familiar with the use of claroread, dragon dictate and any other access arrangements (training given).
• Know and adhere to the relevant JCQ documentation and be familiar with the content of the main JCQ notices: mobile phone poster, notice to candidates.
• Assist in the setup of the exam room for the forthcoming exam session.
• Start the exam and ensure the correct initial instructions are given.
• Complete the seating plan provided.
• Check for any absentees, advise the Exams Officer, and indicate on the attendance register.
• Make a record in the incident log book of any events which may occur during the exam which could be regarded as a breach of the JCQ regulations which will then allow the EO to submit an appropriate form to the awarding body.
• Be prepared to evacuate the exam hall/room in the event of an emergency, in accordance with the School procedures.
• Make sure any candidate who might need to leave the room temporarily is accompanied.
• Finish the exam, taking into account any extra‑time candidates or late arrivals.
• Ensure candidates have put the required information of their scripts.
• Collect in the papers systematically (before the candidates leave the Hall), finally being arranged in candidate number order.
• Help clear the exam room, including removing any documents from laptops, after the exam session and check that it is set up in preparation for the following session.
• After the session, return papers to the Exams Office, where a review/feedback session may occur.
• Attend annual refresher training sessions.
• Frequent travel around a large site is necessary on a regular basis.

You May Also Be Expected To

• be a sole invigilator
• work until after 5pm
• supervise students during breaks who need to be isolate from others due to exam clashes
• act as a scribe/reader for separate room candidates (training will be provided)
• undertake any other duties as requested by the Lead Invigilator or Exams Officer

A flexible attitude is essential, and you would be expected to commit to be available for at least 20 days in the main external exam period of May/June and for part of each internal exam period.

This document is not an exhaustive list but summarises the general role of an Exam Invigilator. From time to time the Exam Invigilator may be required to perform other duties as deemed appropriate. Periodically, this document may be subject to change, following consultation.

Person Specification

Specialist Skills And Experience - Essential

• Have a thorough understanding of Safeguarding and Child Protection Issues
• Possess a proven ability to empathise and relate positively to young people, having a desire to make the experience of School positive for each student
• Be able to follow instructions accurately from the JCQ guidelines, Lead Invigilator or Exams Officer.
• Be prepared to learn how all the equipment used by students with access arrangements operates.

Specialist Skills And Experience - Desirable

• Invigilation experience is preferred

Personal Qualities - Essential

• Possess the flexibility to accommodate the needs of students, whether in a group or 1:1
• Enjoy meeting a wide range or people and helping them relax in an unfamiliar setting
• Have a patient and reassuring manner
• Have good organisational skills and a keen eye for detail
• Be a good team player who is willing to be flexible when unexpected changes occur

Remuneration and Hours

• Zero hour contract
• Start Date: January 2027
• Salary: £13.38 per hour
• Enrolment in the statutory auto-enrolment pension scheme. The employer and employee contribution rates for the auto-enrolment pension scheme are currently: Employee contribution 5% and Employer contribution 3%.
• School lunch provided when at work over lunch time and tea and coffee throughout the day.
• Limited use of school gym facilities (during specific times) and use of the school swimming pool at specific times (during summer school holidays – small fee applies)
• Limited free on-site parking.
• Employees and their dependants have access to a 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
• Discounts at local businesses including Poet's House, The Almonry Kitchen & Tearoom, Ely Grazing Company, Sushi and Salad, Griddle Bar and Meathouse, and The Pantry (Newmarket).
• King’s Ely is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure & Barring Service.
• If you are selected for interview, you will need to provide and bring with you photographic proof of identity (eg passport or photo driving license), birth certificate, documentation confirming your National Insurance Number or your right to work in the United Kingdom, proof of address (eg recent bank statement/HMRC correspondence/utility bill) and certification of declared qualifications

Additional Information

• King’s Ely is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure & Barring Service.
• We reserve the right to invite candidates for interview prior to the closing date and to close vacancies early if we have sufficient suitable applications. Therefore, we encourage interested applicants to submit an application as soon as possible.

We appreciate your effort in completing this application and for your interest in working for King’s Ely.