Casual LEAD Exam Invigilators

JOB TITLE: Casual Lead Exam Invigilators

BASED AT: Samuel Whitbread Academy

SALARY/GRADE RANGE: NJC Scale 2C Point 6 (£13.92 per hour)

RESPONSIBLE TO: Examinations Officer

HOURS: Casual (as and when required)

The Bedfordshire Schools Trust (BEST) is a multi-academy trust providing exceptional education across our community of 11 schools and five nurseries. Since forming in 2016, we have grown significantly into one of the largest single employers in Central Bedfordshire. We now educate more than 8,000 children across the area, from nursery age to advanced level study. It is our aim to grow the BEST in everyone, and everything we do is driven by our values, but our aims can only be achieved if we recruit, retain and develop the highest quality workforce - and we want those we employ to be valued in the workplace. The first five years of BEST has been a real success story - and we are looking forward to an exciting future, too.

Lead Casual Exam Invigilators guide the invigilation team, manage room logistics, and deal with more complex queries or irregularities, with support from the Exams Officer as needed.

Key assessment periods run throughout the academic year - most notably November mock exams and the Summer exams during May and June. Ideally, you would be available from 8.00am - 12.10pm for morning exam sessions and/or 12.10pm - 4.00pm for afternoon sessions. You do not have to be available for every day or session, but a regular commitment would be preferable.

Experience, although desirable, is not essential as training will be given. Training for successful candidates will take place on the afternoon of Wednesday 4th November 2026, plus one further date TBC. Please ensure that you are available to attend the 4th November training date prior to applying for the role.

Applications are welcomed from all, but may particularly appeal to retired teachers or educational professionals missing the vibrant energy of school life, retirees who excel at keeping things running smoothly, or parents for meaningful, flexible work that fits around family life. Whatever your circumstances, if you are a reliable, detail-oriented individual and want to provide a vital role at our Academy for young people at the final stages of their Secondary and Post 16 Education, we want to hear from you!

The Role

• Guide & Direct: Lead, brief, and assign duties to a team of invigilators, ensuring exam rooms are set up strictly to JCQ standards.
• Command the Room: Deliver clear, audible statutory announcements to up to 280 students to set the tone and start exams on time.
• Keep Exams Secure & Fair: Oversee the safe handling of confidential papers, verify special access arrangements, and check attendance.
• Handle the Unexpected: Resolve candidate queries, handle late arrivals or early leavers smoothly, and step in if any irregularities crop up.

Reasons to join us a Lead Exam Invigilator

• Zero After-Hours Work: Once the exam materials are handed over to the Exams Officer, your shift is complete—no marking, no lesson prep, and no ongoing paperwork.
• Great Flexibility: Work during peak assessment windows across the year while keeping your afternoons, weekends, and non-exam months completely free.
• A Rewarding Environment: Help create a calm, structured space that allows students to perform at their absolute best.

What We’re Looking For

• A Confident Leader: Great team management skills, a calm authority under pressure, and a strong voice clear enough to comfortably address a full hall of students.
• Sharp Attention to Detail: A keen focus on rules, room layouts, precise timings, and double-checking exam paperwork.
• People Skills & Patience: A warm, professional demeanour to keep both nervous students and your invigilation team calm and focused.
• Reliability: Strong availability and commitment during exam seasons.

This role will involve working closely with the pupils at Samuel Whitbread Academy and you will be engaging in regulated activity with children.

CLOSING DATE: Midnight, Thursday 24th September 2026

INTERVIEW DATE: Week commencing 5th October 2026

TRAINING DATE (for successful candidates): Afternoon of Wednesday 4th November 2026

• Information about Samuel Whitbread Academy can be at https://www.samuelwhitbread.org.uk/
• For general enquiries about this role please contact: Emma Saunders. Telephone 01462 629900 or esaunders@bestacademies.org.uk
• We are committed to the safeguarding and promotion of children's welfare and offers of employment are subject to DBS clearance and two satisfactory references.
• This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.
• Strictly no agencies.