Exam Invigilator

The Post:

Abbey Gate College is looking to appoint a small number of casual Examinations Invigilators to join our dedicated staff.  

Applicants should have good availability for the main examination seasons, i.e. during May and June, ideally committing to at least half of the available sessions during this time.

Please note that examinations also take place at other times during the academic year, such as November/December.

There are two sessions per day; the morning session usually runs between 08:00 and 11:00/12:00, and the afternoon session between 12:30 and 16:30, although, these timings may vary.

Please be aware that Abbey Gate College is not based in Chester city centre. We are approximately 10 – 15 minutes’ drive from the city centre, in a rural location. Therefore, own transport is required.

Job Description:

Working with our Examinations Officer, our team of Examination Invigilators ensure that examinations are conducted in accordance with the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) regulations, and the awarding body and Abbey Gate College’s regulations and requirements, thereby:

• ensuring that all candidates have an equal opportunity to demonstrate their abilities;

• ensuring the security of the examination materials before, during and after the examination;

• preventing possible candidate malpractice; and

• preventing possible administrative failures.

Key Duties

Before Examinations:

• report to, and be briefed by, the Exams Officer prior to each exam session;

• keep confidential exam question papers and materials secure before, during and after exams;

• ensure exam rooms are set up according to the requirements;

• admit candidates into exam rooms under formal examination conditions;

• identify candidates and seat them according to the required arrangements;

• distribute the correct question papers and exam materials to candidates;

• instruct candidates in the conduct of their exams;

• deal with any candidates’ questions; and

• start exams

During Examinations

• supervise and observe candidates at all times and be vigilant throughout;

• keep disruption in examination rooms to a minimum;

• deal with emergencies or irregularities effectively;

• record / report any incidents, disruption or irregularities;

• complete attendance registers;

• deal with candidates’ questions according to the regulations;

• conduct simple access arrangements, such as prompting a candidate;

• assist with printing examination scripts for candidates who use a word processor; and

• following additional training, provide further assistance during assessments, such as acting as a reader or a scribe.

After Examinations

• instruct candidates in finishing their examinations and collect examination scripts and materials;

• dismiss candidates from the examination room; 

• check candidates’ names on scripts, match the details on the attendance register; and

• securely return all examination scripts, question papers and materials to the Exams Officer.

Other Tasks

• undertake training, update and review sessions as required;

• prior to invigilating any external examination in a new academic year, undertake relevant online invigilator training and assessment and centre-specific training / updates for that academic year;

• undertake, where required and where able, other duties requested by the Exams Officer, for example:

o centre supervision of examination timetable clash candidates between examination sessions;

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

o completing other exams-related administrative tasks, including maintaining question paper security by supporting the ‘second pair of eyes check’.

Person Specification: 

We are looking for people with a positive approach; we want the successful candidates to care about, and be proud of the wonderful, historic, educational facilities and operations of our College!

General Requirements

• experience of invigilation is not required as training in the role and duties of an invigilator will be provided.

• Invigilators are required to: 

o declare if they have invigilated previously and whether they have any current maladministration/malpractice sanctions applied to them; and 

o confirm their availability in advance of main examination periods

• Invigilators must confirm that the confidentiality and security requirements surrounding the invigilation process are known, understood and will be followed at all times.

Please visit our website at: https://www.abbeygatecollege.co.uk/about-us/vacancies/ for further information, including a full person specification.

Salary:

The hourly rate for this position is £12.94 per hour (£14.50 including 12.07% holiday pay). 

Safeguarding & Child Protection:

Abbey Gate College is committed, as a priority, to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. 

Applicants will, therefore, be subject to stringent vetting and induction processes, including an enhanced DBS disclosure. References for shortlisted candidates will be requested prior to interview; please inform your referees. 

Whilst criminal convictions are not necessarily a bar to appointment, this safety consideration will be central to all decisions regarding the employment of staff, approval of volunteers, and standards of external contractors.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion:

We are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and to treating all staff with dignity and respect. Therefore, applications from individuals are encouraged, regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, and marriage and civil partnerships. 

Process for Applications:

• Closing date for applications: Monday 10th February 2025 at 9.00am

In order to apply for our Examinations Invigilator vacancy, please complete the online TES application form, or complete our Abbey Gate College application form (available at https://www.abbeygatecollege.co.uk/about-us/vacancies/). 

Please also include a covering letter, which should be addressed to our Head, Mr Craig Jenkinson, outlining your interest in, and suitability for, the role and the College. 

Your completed application form and covering letter should be submitted via the Tes website, or returned to Mrs Sue Moran, HR and Staff Wellbeing Manager, at: sue.moran@abbeygatecollege.co.uk by the above closing date.

Should you require any additional information or have any difficulties in completing / submitting your application, please also contact Sue Moran. 

Please visit our website at www.abbeygatecollege.co.uk for more information about the College.