Do you have outstanding organizational skills and would like to help pupils with their domestic part of school life? Working as a school matron has the perfect package for you. School matron normally work in boarding schools where they are responsible for the health of and welfare of the pupils.
What do school matrons do?
Duties carried out by matron vary with the age of pupils. However, matrons work closely with the house master/mistress who has the general role of taking care of boarding learners out of school hours. Basic duties of school matrons include but are not limited to:
- Helping pupils cope with and settle into school life
- Informing parents about the health and well-being of their children
- Ensuring pupils’ clothes are repaired, replaced and kept clean
- Looking after pupils with minor sicknesses
- Taking pupils to dental and medical appointments and seeking emergency treatment when required
- Maintaining well updated children’s’ records
- Administering domestic and cleaning staff
- Ordering medical, domestic and cleaning supplies
Salary
Salaries for school matrons vary with their employers. However, they are provided with meals and accommodation. Below is the summary of their median annual earnings according to their level of experience:
|
Starting salary |
£15,000-£20,000 |
|
Senior salary |
£20,000-£25,000 |
Source: The Lady Jobs
Skills
As a school matron, you need to have the following imperative qualities:
- Compassion and sympathy
- Excellent listening skills
- Aptitude to deal with emergencies
- Good people skills
- Ability to lead and work as a part of a team
- Good judgment and decision making skills
- Patience
- Sense of humour
- Good record keeping skills
- Excellent knowledge of first aid practices
- Ability to conform to confidentiality
Qualifications
Most school matrons receive on-the-job training. A large number of the top schools prefer candidates who have pursued training and have earned experience in either childcare or nursing. The childcare course program includes various subjects such as:
- Emotional and social development
- Theories of language development
- Cognitive development
- Piaget, Vygotsky
- Principles of inclusivity
- Activity and exercise
- Managing child behaviour
- Diet, nutrition and food
- Common neonatal problems and disorders
Entry-level workers might begin as assistant matrons. With experience, they can apply for senior posts. Since the post of a school matron entails working with children, it is a requirement to obtain aDBS clearance. Additionally, you have to acquire a first aid qualification and driving license. Other qualifications that might be useful though not essential include:
- CACHE Diploma in Childcare and Education
- BTEC National Diploma in Care or Children’s Care, Learning and Development
- Nursing diploma or degree
Pursuing these additional courses will not only improve your skills but will enhance your visibility and employability. With experience, you can assume various senior roles in this field. For instance, you can become a senior matron or even become a non-teaching head of house.
Career prospects
The National Careers Service an increase of up to 2,280,000 job opportunities for school matrons by 2020 in the UK. Job opportunities are advertised and published in various school websites. 40% of these professional work full time while 54% work part time. Since enrollment in schools is on the rise, there is need for more school matrons. Furthermore, you can apply for vacancies abroad.
This job requires individuals who have patience working with children and who are always ready to help whenever their services are required. If you have these qualities, this is an ideal career to consider.