For whom the bell tolls

Released 15/07/2008

Matthew Jane spares a thought for bursars this summer

School holidays give teaching staff and pupils a long break to enjoy the sun and relax, but who spares a thought for the school bursar who will be clearing the school admin work and ensuring the school is ready to go for the new term?

We hear of strike action and exam fiascos threatening to keep bursars' lives hectic right up to the final bell and possibly beyond.

Around the country, boxes of exam papers are left unmarked and awaiting collection to their rightful destination.

The Sats problems could see school staff having to forego the first week of their holiday to help clear the administrative nightmare and ensure that pupils can progress through to secondary school for the start of the new academic year.

Yet the truth of the matter is that many bursars I speak to were never intending to take the extended holiday afforded to their teaching colleagues.

So, while the sound of the summer holiday bell may well leave a jubilant ringing in their ears, for many bursars it could sound more like the bell tolling for summer break spent making sure there is a seamless transition into a new school year.

How long will you take this holiday? Take part in our online poll.

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