Should working several days a week in a school office be a voluntary position?

A special school in Lewisham, south London, is advertising for someone to do up to three days a week in its office, seemingly unpaid.

Is this just a routine move, offering an individual the chance to gain experience, as the school says, or a worrying sign that budget pressures are leading institutions to rely on people to do work which should always be paid?

The question has arisen after Education Uncovered was tipped off about an advert which appeared recently on the jobs website of the TES.

Headlined “Administrative volunteer, Lewisham,” it states: “Do you have Office experience? Do you want to help children with complex autism reach their full potential?”

It adds: “The school business director is looking for someone to come in [to] help out in our busy office. Maybe you have retired and have time on your hands or are looking to return to work but lack current experience; we can help. We are looking for someone who can commit to two or three days per week.

“You would be at the front of house answering the phones, greeting people on reception, copying and scanning documents. You will need a clear telephone voice and a good level of literacy. You will also need tact and diplomacy.”

Drumbeat is a local authority special school, for children, as the advert states, with “complex autism”.

Sean Richings, its business director, told us: “I am surprised that you are shocked that schools offer volunteer roles. Like many schools, we do this as part of our community support programme. Many people do not have the opportunity to gain paid work in schools because they lack any experience in the sector.

“By offering this we give them the opportunity to gain vital experience that will help them when they apply for roles. We also provide a reference, which for those who have been out of the workplace for a while is important.

“We have had success stories with people going on to get [paid work, who] have expressed their gratitude for the opportunity the school has given them. We also have other volunteers who approach us to give their time to us as they wish to give back to the community; they want to share their own experience to help make a difference for children with special needs.”

Our source on this, a teacher though not at this school, was unimpressed. “What is laid out in the ad is very clearly what should be paid work. A 2/3-day-a-week commitment is required and tasks and responsibilities are clearly those of a paid office worker.

“It it looks like paid work, and has the responsibilities of paid work then it should be paid work. I have no problem with people approaching schools to volunteer, but that’s totally different to not paying for what should be paid professional employment.

“God help us if other schools respond to the funding crisis by creating ‘volunteer’ roles like this.”

What do you think?

Durand to Dubai

Sir Greg Martin, the former superhead once much-praised by Michael Gove, has swapped south London for the sunnier climes of Dubai, Education Uncovered learned after writing about his former school last week.

Sir Greg was in the news after the Commons Public Accounts Committee heard that the Durand Education Trust, associated with the Durand academy, which centred around the primary school in Lambeth which he led, has recently been funding an £850,000 end of contract package for him.

Sir Greg, 66, stood down in 2015 as executive head of Durand Academy. He is now headteacher at The English College, Dubai, where fees run to £13,000 a year, and which pledges to “offer the best elements of the British education system supplemented by modern international educational practice”. He also serves on the board of governors.