I would like to shine a light on the plight of graduate assistants, or “gappers”. This group of fresh-faced twentysomethings who, just out of university and looking to gain experience of teaching while getting paid - sadly, a marriage that seems very hard to come by these days - are hired by independent schools each year.

They may often seem invisible, but they are there. Breathing in the pungent smell of used netball bibs, stumbling across the courtyard juggling 50 chimney sweeps, and cleaning out used recorders in the cupboard that everyone calls “Narnia”.

Every year, independent schools advertise “assistant” positions in various departments, such as sports assistants. The assistants are paid anything between £6,000 and £10,000 per year. Many schools can get around offering this amount of money to full-time employees by providing free accommodation and food for the term time. Some would argue this is a brilliant deal. However, I, having experienced it, beg to differ.

‘I was told I was “overconfident”’

It’s true that some parts of the role are invaluable: working in a professional environment and learning from experienced teachers. If you put yourself forward and work hard in an assistant role, there are many opportunities to get involved with. However, there was a time, after clocking up a 100-hour working week (dance rehearsals, wig dressing, and set carrying), that I questioned taking the role in the first place. I sat in the boarding house on duty, hoping that none of the 50-odd girls would have an emergency, as I tried not to pass out with exhaustion.

I struggled with my place as an assistant in the boarding community. While in my subject department, I was given responsibility, status, and respect, things were quite the opposite in the boarding house. Two weeks into the first term, my boarding line manager took me aside one evening for a private chat. I was keen to share with her how I was feeling and enjoying my role, but I was told I was “overconfident” and should stop trying so much. That was a steep learning curve for me about how my energy and willingness did not suit all parts of school life. I was shocked when I was told to sit and take staples out of old forms. I am very much aware that everyone has to start somewhere, but feeling so undermined and devalued two weeks into the job was a hit.

‘Independents need to re-evaluate the role of assistants’

Despite being “only” an assistant, I carried out my boarding duties cheerfully and with enthusiasm. As the year went on, I had to miss more of my boarding shifts as the commitments in my subject department grew. My boarding house mistress texted me on the last day at the school saying how she had “covered” my shifts without moaning and felt that I had “lost interest” in the boarding community. I felt it needless to point out that “covering” a shift implies I just wanted some time off for a pint - I was actually working longer and more intense hours so the school could pull off a production.

I valued my year as an assistant very much and I would encourage people to apply. However, I believe that independent schools need to re-evaluate the role of assistants, and not just employ them for cheap labour and to boost up numbers for departments.

My advice for those starting out as assistants would be to have confidence in your practice and to occasionally, just occasionally, remember that you might need to sharpen your elbows.

The writer was a graduate assistant at a school in the West of England.

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