Exam Invigilators – Polam Hall School

Posted:                          6^th February 2026

Closing date:             1^st March 2026

Start date:                   May 2026

Salary:                           £12.85 plus holiday pay

 Contract type:        Casual – as required.

We are seeking to appoint a number of people to act as invigilators. This role is essential to the smooth running of the examination process.  Our main exam season runs from early May until the end of June. Additional work may also be available during our mock exam period in early December each year.

Applicants will need to be available for a reasonable stretch of time during exam periods. The work will be divided into sessions either in the morning and/or afternoons. The morning sessions begin from 8.00am and afternoon sessions from 12.30pm. The majority of examinations have a duration of approximately 2 hours.

Main duties:

·         To conduct examinations in accordance with the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ), awarding body and Polam Hall School instructions.

·         To play a key role in upholding the integrity of the examination process.

Before exams

·         To report to and be briefed by the exams officer prior to each exam session

·         To keep exam papers and materials secure before, during and after exams

·         To ensure exam rooms are set out according to the instructions

·         To admit candidates into exam rooms

·         To identify, seat, and instruct candidates in the conduct of their exams

·         To distribute the correct exam papers and materials to candidates

·         To deal with candidate queries

During exams

·         To supervise candidates at all times and be vigilant throughout exams

·         To keep disruption in exam rooms to a minimum

·         To deal with emergencies or irregularities effectively

·         To record/report any disruption or irregularities

·         To complete attendance registers

·         To deal with candidate queries

After exams

·         To collect exam scripts

·         To dismiss candidates from the exam room

·         To check candidates’ names on scripts match the details on the attendance register

·         To securely return all exam scripts and exam materials to the exams office

Other

·         To attend training or refresher session as required

·         To undertake, where required and where able, other duties requested by the exams officer, for example

·         supervision of clash candidates between exam sessions

·         facilitating access arrangements for candidates, for example as a reader, scribe etc. (full training will be provided)

·         exams-related administrative tasks

The successful candidate will need to evidence the following attributes and experience:

Previous experience of working in a school environment and/or as an Exam Invigilator is desirable but not essential, as full training will be given.

Candidates must:

·   Have a good standard of education including GCSEs Maths and English at C grade or above (or equivalent qualification).

·   Have good numeracy and literacy skills.

·   Have effective written and oral skills.

·   Have good communication skills.

·   Be accurate and show attention to detail.

·   Have the ability to use own initiative.

·   Be reliable and punctual.

·   Have a polite, friendly and flexible approach to work. 

·   An awareness of responsibilities for health and safety of themselves and others.

Candidates must have the ability to:

·   communicate with candidates and members of staff clearly and accurately,

·   work as part of a team or alone as necessary,

·   keep calm under pressure or during unexpected circumstances,

·   judge when a decision is not theirs to make,

·   be firm but fair at all times. 

Our School:

Polam Hall School is a 4 – 16 all-through academy and is part of Woodard Academies Trust. We have 850 pupils on roll, with one and a half forms of entry in our Primary Phase and four forms in our Secondary Phase. Polam Hall is a school with a unique and long history which today is proud to be a fully comprehensive school serving the young people of Darlington. Our mission is to educate the whole child, developing leadership, compassion, character and academic ambition, through the combination of our Academic and Concordia Crescimus curricula. We have high expectations and aspirations for every member of our school community.

Polam Hall is a community where staff and students work together for common goals. We make every effort to develop our staff team, offering professional development opportunities and the chance to be part of a wider Trust, yet retaining the friendly atmosphere of a small school. We are looking for energetic and enthusiastic people to join our team, who have children at the heart of their practice and who will help us to drive forward our aim: to deliver an outstanding education to every single one of our pupils.

Visits to the school are welcome.  If you would like to visit or to discuss the post further please contact the administration team: information@phs.woodard.co.uk

Please note you should use the supporting statement section of the application form to clearly evidence your ability to meet the requirements outlined in the person specification. The information in this section will be used to shortlist applicants for the role and therefore it is important that you provide enough detail to give a full picture of your skills and experience and what you can contribute to teaching and learning at Polam Hall.

Polam Hall School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Safer recruitment practice and pre-employment checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed. This post is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.