by The Green Fairy

Created on: June 23, 2009

Exam invigilators are the people who supervise the examination room. They ensure that the students work in silence, and deal with any questions they might have. If you are looking for an occasional, part-time job that's relatively undemanding but rewarding, you should look into how to be an exam invigilator.

Invigilating used to be carried out by teachers and other school staff. This is now being actively discouraged, as teachers are a high-value resource and their time can be better used in the classroom. As a result schools are creating pools of local people who they can call in to work as invigilators. They are needed during the busy summer exam season of May and August, and are increasingly being used at other times of year.

To become an invigilator you need to apply to a local school or college. It's possible to work for more than one institution, but beware of spreading yourself too thin - exams tend to happen over a period of just a few short weeks and you might be required to be in two places at once.

Some schools and colleges now have a full team, so you may need to look further afield. However, there's no harm asking to be on a waiting list, and don't be afraid to keep asking. If they know you're keen they'll eventually offer you something.

Schools vary in the approach they take to hiring invigilators. Some will hold a short, formal interview, particularly if they don't know you. If, like me, you're a parent of a child, they are more relaxed. Some will hold training courses for new invigilators, while others just give out documentary guides. All while require the successful completion of a CRM (Criminal Records Bureau) check.

You will also need to fill out local authority job applications forms and if you quote any qualifications you'll need to supply proof. It may seen over the top providing copies of all your 'O' level certificates just to be an invigilator, but it's red tape that you need to comply with.

Schools also differ in the amount of work they expect from invigilators. Some school offices will do most of the paperwork themselves, while others leave it to the invigilating team. However, most of the work required is during the exam itself. This is when the invigilator needs to stand, or sit, patiently scanning the room for potential problems.

Students might turn up to the exam without the right equipment - some can't even manage to bring a pen with them. Schools want to do all they can to help their students succeed, so they have a supply of pens, rulers, pencils, calculators and more. During the exam a student without the right equipment simply raises their hand, lets an invigilator know what they want, and it's supplied.

As the government continues to seek efficiencies from the education system it's likely that invigilators will have more and more opportunities for work in the future. It's a great way to earn some extra money and help students to do their best at a crucial stage in their education.

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