Examination Invigilator - The Purbeck School

Dorset Council; Wareham; On-site; GBP 15,000 - 21,000; Part time

Job summary

The Purbeck School is seeking an Exams Invigilator for school-based public examinations. This casual, zero-hours role involves supervising candidates, ensuring strict regulatory compliance and safeguarding. Training in Exams Office Invigilator, Cyber Security, and Safeguarding will be provided.

The position starts from January 2027 and pays £13.28 per hour. You may be expected to work across various exam sessions and locations within the school.

Qualifications

• Familiar with policies impacting public examinations (health, safety, equal opportunities, SEN).
• Familiar with JCQ Instructions for the Conduct of Examinations.
• Familiar with school/exam centre policies for invigilators.

Responsibilities

• Check exam room arrangements stay compliant with regulations.
• Issue regulatory notices to candidates at start of exams.
• Maintain security of papers, materials, and scripts.
• Start, conduct and finish exams per regulations.
• Complete attendance register for candidate identification.
• Supervise candidates with vigilance during exams.
• Answer candidate questions on processes and procedures.
• Handle emergencies per centre/school policies and exam regs.
• Collect completed scripts and prepare for posting.
• Report issues via agreed referral procedures.
• Assist with administrative tasks as requested.

Skills

Policies familiarity

Examination rules knowledge

Behaviour management

Safeguarding awareness

Attention to detail

Job description

About the role

Exams Invigilator

XS 9.8 GRADE 3

Casual zero hours contract

£13.28 hourly rate

From January 2027

Main job purpose

This is a school-based role, primarily concerned with the conduct of public examinations in accordance with strict regulations.

The primary purpose of the Examination Invigilator is to supervise candidates who are engaged in taking public examinations. Examination Invigilators must act strictly in accordance with the regulations set out for the conduct of examinations by the Joint Council for General Qualifications. Examination Invigilators will also act in accordance with school or examination centre policy for the conduct of internal and external examinations.

Examination Invigilators will have high expectations of all candidates and respect for their social, cultural, linguistic, religious and ethnic backgrounds.

Main responsibilities and duties

1. To check that the arrangements of the examination room remain in compliance with the regulations.
2. To issue the regulatory notices to candidates at the start of the examination.
3. To maintain the security of examination papers, materials and candidate scripts whilst in the Exam Invigilator’s possession.
4. To start, conduct and finish the examination in accordance with the regulations.
5. To complete the attendance register with due attention to the identification of candidates.
6. To supervise candidates with due vigilance during the working of the examination.
7. To respond to any questions from candidates about process and procedures.
8. To deal with any immediate problems or emergencies according to the examination centre or school’s policies or procedures and in accordance with the examination regulations.
9. To collect completed scripts after the examination has ended, prepare for posting.
10. To report back as appropriate using the agreed referral procedures on any issues arising.
11. To assist with administration as requested.
12. Promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young people in accordance with the school’s safeguarding and child protection policy.
13. Complete annual training; Exams Office Invigilator training, Cyber Security training & Safeguarding training.

Knowledge & skills

Essential

• Be familiar with a range of school policies which may impinge on the conduct of public examinations, particularly those regarding health and safety, equal opportunities, behaviour management, child protection and special educational needs (SEN).
• Be familiar with the Instructions for the Conduct of Examinations issued by the Joint Council for General Qualifications.
• Be familiar with the examination centre/school’s policy for the conduct of examination’s and guidelines to invigilators.
• Have the necessary skills to manage safely, the activities, the physical space and the resources for which s/he is responsible.
• Understand and be able to use a range of strategies to deal with young people under pressure and also individual behavioural needs.

Desirable

• Recent successful experience within an educational or supervisory environment.
• Flexibility and initiative.

Supervision & management

1. To work to a designated member of teaching or support staff according to the examination centre/school’s normal policy and practice in examination invigilation.
2. To supervise candidates in examination conditions in accordance with examination regulations and school policy and practice and with other invigilators.
3. To direct candidates in order to achieve compliance with examination regulations.
4. A senior invigilator may be required to supervise the work of other adults normally present in the examination room.

Problem Solving and creativity

1. Use of a variety of interpersonal skills and strategies to establish positive relationships with candidates.
2. Know and use the school’s referral system as appropriate in the event of problems with an individual candidate, or group or other adult.
3. Flexibility in working hours will be required.

Key contacts & relationships

1. Treat candidates consistently, with respect and consideration, and be concerned for their welfare during the period of supervision.
2. Model and promote the positive values, attitudes and behaviour expected from the candidates whom they supervise.
3. Know when to seek help and advice.

Decision making

There will sometimes be a need to make immediate decisions in accordance with exam board regulations, without initial referral to a manager, in relation to the secure conduct of public examinations and the safety of candidates.

Resources

• Exam papers, stationery, writing equipment
• ICT and AVA equipment 3

Working environment

1. Size, phase and type of school/examination centre will vary.
2. Includes supervision of individual candidates as well as groups of varying sizes.
3. Involves working with other examination invigilators and school staff.
4. Normal school environment.
5. Occasional use of ICT and AVA equipment.
6. Lifting of examination materials.
7. Some school sites are extensive and postholders may be required to work throughout the site on more than one floor.
8. In special schools meeting the needs of pupils may be more demanding both physically and emotionally.
9. Examination rooms which may include specialist areas.
10. Occasional requirement to work outside the normal school day.
11. Within a Special School environment staff may be required to deal with extremes of behaviour and /or a range of needs which may be physically and /or emotionally demanding.

Website: www.purbeck.wessex.ac

Email: [e-mail]

Telephone: [phone]

Further Information

The Purbeck School values the diversity of our workforce and welcomes applications from all sectors of the community.

The Purbeck School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people; this is a commitment which we expect all staff and volunteers to share. The successful candidate will be required to have a Disclosure and Barring Service check in line with the Governments safer recruitment guidelines.

This role is UK based and your Right to Work will need to be established as part of the appointment process.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974. The amendments to the ROA 1974 (Exceptions Order 1975, (2013 and 2020)) provide that when applying for certain jobs and activities, certain spent convictions and cautions are ‘protected’, so they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. The MOJ’s guidance on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Exceptions Order 1975, provides information about which convictions must be declared during job applications and related exceptions and further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS filtering guide.

Keeping Children Safe in Education

The Purbeck School will conduct online searches of shortlisted candidates. This check will be part of a safeguarding check, and the search will purely be based on whether an individual is suitable to work with children. All aspects of social media and internet searches will be conducted. As care must be taken to avoid unconscious bias and any risk of discrimination, a person who is not on the appointment panel will conduct the searches and will only share information if and when findings are relevant and of concern.